West Chester University undergraduate students in early grades preparation, middle
grades preparation, or special education majors (including special education/secondary
dual majors) are required to complete the CSE requirement.
The correct process for completing the Community Service Experience requirement is
to have your community service pre-approved by the Office of Candidate Services, Wayne
Hall, Suite 107. View the pre-approval form
It is essential to have service pre-approved, as some types of community service do
not count towards the required 20 hours of the Community Service Experience, as well
as having a date set for the reflective statement to be submitted. Reflective statements
must be submitted within 60 days of completing your CSE hours.
The student must be considered a WCU student at the time the CSE hours are served.
In other words, the student cannot be a student at another college or in high school
at the time of serving and completing their CSE hours.
Community service must be pre-approved hours that provides a direct concrete benefit
to the populations of children, youth, or adults, including those with disabilities.
Community service must be performed with a non-profit organization. Examples of types
of community service that do not count towards the Community Service Experience include:
administrative, clerical, cleaning, and fundraising tasks. Your community service
hours cannot also fulfill a requirement for a credit bearing course (service learning
class).
Nonprofit organizations and agencies exist only to provide programs and services that
are of public benefit. Some nonprofit organizations do earn a profit, more aptly described
as a surplus, but the earnings must be retained by the organization to be directed
into more programs and services in the future. Individuals may not benefit directly
from the surplus.
No, students may not complete community service hours at their place of employment.
Community service hours must be completed at a non-profit organization outside of
the students' workplace.
No, if you reside in another state you can complete your hours there with a signed
pre-approval form.
Contact Information: Mrs. Judith MacDonald, Appointments (Sophomores and above) or Mr. Paul Whalen, Appointments (First Year Students/New Transfer/Undeclared)
Office hours during the academic year are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The summer hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Yes, the Community Service Experience Award is given on Teacher Education Day held
during the spring semester. This is a monetary award. The award winner(s) are selected
by the Community Service Advisory Committee on the basis of early completion and exemplary
service. Read about the award winners from previous years.
