Community Based Learning Certificate Program
This 10-credit certificate centers on courses on campus that have real world applications that complement their learning objectives. If you want to graduate with experience related to your field while contributing to the community, this certificate is for you.
What is Community-Based Learning (CBL)?
CBL is a mode of instruction that benefits both students and community. Community-Based Learning, utilizes “live” projects that will make a difference in the community. For example: you could make a brochure for a local nonprofit organization that would actually be used long after your grade is recorded. During this process, you
- Learn how to work with a client,
- Learn more about the community that you live in
- Contribute a valuable service to the community
- Add to your resume or portfolio
CBL goes far beyond the creation of brochures, however. Not only can this translate to all majors and issue areas, but there are also four different formats: product, project, placement, and presentation.
| Product: | Creating a brochure would be an excellent example of a “product” format. Most, if not all, of the time spent working on the community service project would be either in class or wherever the student would decide to work on “homework.” In ART 104, students explore vaious software programs used in the fields of graphic design, web design, and animation. Students create posters, brochures, and audio clips for nonprofit organizations. |
| Project: | ECON 380: The Labor Market, researched the unemployment rate in Racine for the Racine County Workforce Development Center. From this research, the class created a conclusive report about unemployment in the area. |
| Presentation: |
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| Placement: | This might be the most traditional model of “community service.” In this model, an individual would spend a certain number of hours at a given community site, such as a school, park, or homeless shelter. The service offered might be in the form of tutoring, mentoring, helping someone with their taxes, translating, etc. |
One example is HRM 443: Improving Employee Performance. Students in this class broke into small groups and created workshop-length presentations for YWCA's “Dress for Success” program. This program helps women re-enter the workforce; UW-Parkside students were able to give these women valuable information on topics ranging from time management to laws that protect them in the workplace. All formats of CBL should be mutually beneficial for the student and the community organization. In addition to performing the community service, the student should engage in reflection. Reflection is often done through keeping a journal or writing a response paper.
How can I get this certificate?
It's simple!
- Declare your intent to earn a certificate by completing a Plan Declaration in the Advising Center or through your department.
- Take CBL 101: Introduction to Community Based Learning (3 credits)
- Take CBL 495: Capstone in Community Based Learning (3 credits)
- Take additional courses that have a designated number of CBL credits associated with it. You need ten credits in all to receive the certificate.
That's it! When you sign up for the certificate in the Testing and Advising Center , you will be assigned an advisor to help you through this process.
There are approximately thirty courses every fall and spring semester that have CBL credit. There are courses available from many different disciplines; from Communication and Sociology to Biology, Art, and Business. Look at course lists below. If you don't see courses from your major, or if you can think of a community application that would fit well with a course that you are already taking, take charge of your education, and ask your instructor to work with you.
