To earn the Certificate in Civic Engagement and Social Change, students must complete two thematically related experiential-learning projects that enhance their understanding of their proposed interest area. These co-curricular experiences will provide opportunities for students to work with community organizations and gain the skills necessary for effecting change. The projects should respond to needs identified by the community partner organization and embody principles of collaboration, cooperation and reciprocity.
Experiential Learning Requirements
Students will propose their two co-curricular experiences to a three-person faculty advisory committee who will determine whether they are appropriate for the certificate program. One of the experiences must be at least 300 hours; the other must be at least 150 hours. All completed hours must be verified by a staff member of the partner organization who has direct knowledge of those activities.
Experience Set A
Experience Set A may include activities such as unpaid internships, fellowships, community-based research projects, volunteer service programs and apprenticeships. The 300+ hours required for Experience Set A must be completed in one continuous experience. For example, a student interested in educational equity could participate in DukeEngage Charlotte, tutor with America Reads America Counts or do a summer internship with a nonprofit such as Communities in Schools NC.
Experience Set B
Experience Set B can include ongoing continuous activities similar to those listed above under Set A. However, for Set B, students may choose to engage in several distinct but related activities that, when added together, exceed 150 hours. For example, a student may volunteer with a voting advocacy group during the summer and then follow up in the fall semester with a mentored community-based research experience examining voting issues for a combined total of 150+ hours.
Need help finding experiences?
The Duke Office of Civic Engagement maintains a list of the various civic engagement programs at Duke.