Applied Learning Opportunities with the Office of Community and Civic Engagement

Creating the next generation of leaders through experiential learning.


The Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) is committed to enhancing the learning environment of students both within and beyond the classroom.  As students emerge from classes with a heightened sensitivity to social and global issues, OCCE facilitates student service learning projects at various organizations committed to making positive impact in their communities and beyond.

We work with different departments on campus and community partners to ensure our students are given service orientated opportunities to enhance their growth as engaged citizens. We support efforts to meet the challenges facing our city, county and region through engaged civic learning, volunteerism and service, community-based research, and integrated efforts and partnerships. OCCE, works with faculty to create strategies that directly link academic scholarship to public practice by fostering stronger connections between the College and the Long Island community, integrating civic engagement and community-based partnerships into the curriculum, and promoting community service through experiential learning for students. 

Applied Learning Credit Based Courses

All baccalaureate program students are required to fulfill the Applied Learning Graduation Requirement. Ten hours of approved Applied Learning activity is the minimum for meeting the Applied Learning Graduation Requirement.

We offer applied learning credit based courses through various disciplines. Below you will find a description of each Applied Learning category as it relates to community and civic engagement:

Civic Engagement: A teaching and learning focus on educating students as global citizens. Classes or programs include meaningful civic education and activities for social good. Classes and projects have components of reflection and engagement. These focus on one's civic responsibilities, including engagement/interaction in local politics, voter participation, social action and service to the community. Civic Engagement may be credit bearing or non-credit bearing.

Community Service: Volunteerism and community service performed by students for community benefit. This service can be, but is not necessarily integrated with a particular program of study. This may include structured projects (days of service), smaller group projects, fund-raising events, or individual volunteerism, which is acknowledged by the campus. Community Service may be credit-bearing or non-credit bearing.

Service-Learning: A credit-bearing educational strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. Service-Learning is credit-bearing.

For more information on our applied learning courses, please contact the Nexus Center, at occe@farmingdale.edu

Last Modified 1/9/24