Oceanside, Building 3300: 760.795.6616

Email: servicelearning@miracosta.edu

www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/servicelearning

Service Learning

The Service Learning Program partners academic instruction with community service. Each semester approximately 60 courses at MiraCosta offer a service component. Students work with their instructors and the Service Learning and Volunteer Center to find meaningful service opportunities, aka experiential learning opportunities, in the community that relate to what they are learning in the classroom. MiraCosta's service learning and volunteer placements include youth programs, conservation efforts, programs that address homelessness and hunger, senior services, child development programs, social services organizations, after school programs, literacy programs as well as many other opportunities within K-12 grade public schools and non-profit organizations. Students can earn a certificate of participation for Service Learning when they complete 15 hours at one site, for one course. For a list of approved community partners, go to the Service Learning Community Partners List website at http://hub.miracosta.edu/servicelearningpartners/.

Through these community placements, students apply classroom knowledge to everyday situations and real problems. They gain practical experience that can help them explore or confirm possible career paths while earning documented work experience. Service learning hours translate into service hours that can be useful when students apply for scholarships or complete transfer applications, professional portfolios, or resumes. In addition, students who participate in service learning discover the value of contributing to their community. Students have reported that these experiences affirm their career paths, provide job opportunities, and increase their cultural and social capital. For more information about the program, including its courses and community partners, students should visit the program's website.

Volunteer Program

Students who are not enrolled in service learning courses can engage with their campus or local community to earn volunteer hours. These experiences are often used to explore career paths, gain hands-on life skills, earn hours for scholarships, or add valuable experiences to their transfer applications. Students can earn two certificates of participation: MiraCosta Service Award (50-99 hours) or MiraCosta Presidential Service Award (100+ hours). For additional one-time volunteer opportunities, students can visit the monthly calendar of volunteer opportunities or check out the list of local community organizations for ongoing service opportunities at the Service Learning website at www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/servicelearning/. 

Benefits of Service Learning and Volunteer Experiences

• Apply course content through "real world" experiences
• Increase social capital and cultural humility
• Grow in your own personal development and increase self-awareness of civic responsibility
• Apply these experiences to your resume, transfer applications, and scholarships
• Increase awareness of your community and its resources