At Tulane, academic service learning is an educational experience based upon a collaborative partnership between the university and local, national, and international communities and partner organizations. Service learning guides students in applying academic knowledge to meet community-identified needs and address systemic inequities. Through structured reflection, students develop critical thinking skills, deepen their academic learning, and gain an enhanced sense of civic responsibility and social justice.
For students who have entered Tulane prior to Fall 2024, students must:
- Successfully complete one service learning course (at the 1000 – 3000 level) no later than the fifth semester of full-time enrollment at Tulane.
- Satisfy the second-tier public service graduation requirement after the first-tier service learning course is completed, and once the student has attained sophomore standing. Students must participate in one of the following Center for Public Service approved programs at the 3000 level or above:
- Service learning course
- Academic service learning internship
- Faculty-sponsored public service research project
- Public service honors thesis project
- Public service-based international study abroad program
- Capstone experience with public service component
For students who enter Tulane in Fall 2024 or after, students must:
- Complete two semesters of service learning through an approved program (below). One of these semesters must be at the 2000 level or above. The first experience should be completed by the 2nd semester of sophomore year. Service Learning courses require a minimum of 20 hours of service per semester.
- Service learning course
- Academic service learning internship
- Faculty-sponsored public service research project
- Public service honors thesis project
- Public service-based international study abroad program
- Capstone experience with public service component
