Service learning
A Northwestern education is for your head and your heart. So in addition to theories and ideas from books—and class lectures and discussions with professors—you’ll also have the chance to put what you’re learning into practice through serving God and others.
Around 25 Northwestern courses in a variety of disciplines include a service learning component each semester. Examples include:
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ACC 307 Federal Tax I
After learning about federal tax laws and practices, accounting students volunteered with a nonprofit organization that provides free tax preparation to low-income families.
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REL 390 World Religions
Students studied the major religions of India, East Asia and the Middle East, then prepared Sunday School lessons on each and presented them—along with “missiological entry points”—in churches.
- THE 112 Performance Studies
Students first learned about performance as a tool for interpreting, analyzing and celebrating stories. Then they interviewed residents at a transitional housing facility and turned their stories into a play they performed for the residents.
Northwestern has more than 30 service learning partners, including these:
- American Red Cross
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Center for Financial Education
- Habitat for Humanity, Siouxland
- Hands Around the World
- Heritage House Long-Term Care Center
- Orange City Food Pantry
- Ronald McDonald House
- Sioux County Conservation Board
- Special Olympics
