Service Learning

Service learning and internships

Service learning is a special teaching and learning format that combines academic learning with social engagement. In service learning courses, students learn both theoretical principles and practical applications. Service learning enables students to expand their professional skills, deepen their independent critical thinking, and make a positive contribution to society at the same time.

In the joint internship guidelines of FSES and FHCS, service learning is described as an option for completing the mandatory internship. The respective (partial) creditability of individual courses is based on the requirements for the type and duration of the internship specified in the study and examination regulations (FSES and FHCS).

How the internship accreditation works

In general

The FSES and FHCS degree programs require internships of different durations. You can complete part of the required internship by taking service learning courses. We assume that a three-month internship requires approximately 450 hours of work, a two-month internship approximately 300 hours, and a one-month internship approximately 150 hours.

Example

You must complete a three-month internship in Germany as part of your studies (approx. 450 hours in total). You attend a service learning course for which you can receive credit for 150 hours of work. This leaves you with 300 hours of work, or two months of mandatory internship.

If you are unsure whether and to what extent this regulation applies to you, please contact the person responsible for your degree program.

Crediting

The service learning course will be credited as an internship in accordance with the regulations of the Joint Internship Guidelines of FSES and FHCS. This means that credit can only be granted after the total internship period required by the respective study and examination regulations has been completed.

After completing the required total internship period, you will write a comprehensive report in which you will report on the individual internships or courses.

Service learning courses

Other forms of service learning and social engagement

In addition to the service learning courses described here, there are other forms of service learning or social engagement that may be eligible for credit toward an internship.

You may already have been involved in civic or social engagement in your home country or abroad during your studies and thus acquired important skills relevant to your studies, e.g., by learning successful communication approaches, organizing events, practicing problem-solving strategies, understanding values, implementing projects, and thereby increasing your ability to (self-)reflect and advocating for socially relevant issues.

A connection to the chosen degree program must be evident. If an internship abroad is planned, the engagement must also have taken place abroad.

Please discuss the possibility of credit transfer with the responsible degree program coordinator.