Online Program

327041
Bringing community and classroom together through service learning


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 12:50 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.

Lauren D. Arnold, PhD, MPH, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Department of Epidemiology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Ellen Barnidge, PhD, MPH, Behavioral Science and Health Education, Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St. Louis, MO
Margaret Callon, MSW, Epidemiology Department, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO
ASPPH’s “Critical Component Elements” cites field experiences that expose students to public health practice as an integral part of undergraduate public health (UGPH) education.  Service learning, in which classroom instruction and community service are brought together, is one option for achieving this element.  Creating meaningful service learning experiences involves logistical considerations and thoughtful integration of course material.  Drawing on experiences at an urban Midwestern university, we illustrate one way to implement service learning in an UGPH major.  Students complete 45 service hours across three courses by selecting a site from a pre-approved list and solidifying their placement/schedule.  Evaluation from 385 students over three semesters found proximity (n=116, 63.1%) and location (n=157, 66.2%) were important to site selection.  Two-thirds reported service learning as the first time they worked with the partner agency.  The majority (n=167, 80.7%) reported a deeper understanding of public health as a result of the experience.  Meaningful service learning also relies on deeper connections with class.  One way to achieve this is with written reflections and dialogue using the DEAL model this prompts students to describe, examine, and articulate how their learning integrates with course material.  Overall, undergraduates report positive experiences with service learning as part of their UGPH curriculum.  When incorporated into multiple courses from an early point, students have the opportunity to build on their experiences and/or work with different populations.  Meaningful service learning can be a foundational building block for the preparation of UGPH students when it meets student needs and is well-integrated with coursework.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe an approach to implement service learning as a curricular requirement. Identify examples of ways to integrate service learning with the classroom environment.

Keyword(s): Public Health Curricula & Competencies, Community-Based Partnership & Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as the Director of Undergraduate Programs in Public Health, Health Management, and Emergency Management at Saint Louis University. I have published and presented on undergraduate public health topics and served on ASPPH undergraduate public health committees.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.