All first-year students enrolled in a Freshman Programs learning community engage in 30 hours of service-learning as part of their Geology, Sociology, or University 100 course in the spring semester.

There is a list of pre-screened non-profit, community-based sites from which Freshman Programs service-learners can choose. We make sure there is something for everyone! You will find organizations that work with children, older adults, the environment, violence prevention and  conflict resolution, hunger and homelessness or social change! Many students have reported that the service-learning portion of the program helped them select a major and an eventual career. Service-learning also helps students improve their critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills!

Several Freshman Program students are placed at each site, so students can work together. Some sites are on the CSUF campus, to help Freshman Programs students with busy schedules participate with ease!

Agency representatives and students are assisted every step of the way by the staff and faculty of the Freshman Programs Office and the Center for Community Service-Learning. Questions are handled promptly, and the entire Freshman Programs Instructional Team participates in making service a powerful learning experience. In-class reflection exercises, readings and class discussions connect the service-learning experience with the curriculum of Freshman Programs.

Questions? Contact the Freshman Programs Office at 714.278.3709!

Freshman Programs students assisting in an orphanage in Baja, Mexico