Two Female Students Helping at a Food Drive.

Service Learning

Bridge your classroom learning to community engagement. Service learning is a form of experiential education that enhances learning and development through meaningful engagement in the community, in-depth educational exploration in real-world contexts, and intentional reflection.

USD offers opportunities for service learning - which connects academic work to community-based activities to address significant needs- as well as events like alternative breaks and weekends through the Alternative Week of Off-Campus Learning (AWOL) program. Through Student Services and the Office of Service-Learning, you can learn more about the opportunities available to you, meet other students, and engage with the community.

Reach out to engage@usd.edu for more information about how to get involved. Faculty who want to support community-based projects and research can learn more in the myUSD Portal.



Contribute to Developing Strong Communities, While Learning About Yourself 

Service Learning

The courses that include community engagement components vary from semester to semester. Course examples include:

  • SUST 111: Sustainable Society
  • SUST 489: Sustainability Capstone
  • DCOM 423: Aural Rehabilitation
  • HSC 110: The Interprofessional Health Team
  • CJUS 450: Justice and Compassion
  • MGMT 352: Business Service Learning Experience

Service learning success

Jesse Sullivan and his AWOL group in Houston for an event.
I joined AWOL looking for a volunteer experience, but I got so much more than that. I build relationships with other students because AWOL brings together selfless people that want to do good in the community.

Jessie Sullivan

B.S. Chemistry '22
Albion, Nebraska

Take the Next Step