Yes! Students may earn up to three (3) free general elective credits by meeting the requirements for UNV 201.
You do not need to register for UNV 201 as you do for other classes. Simply complete this interest form, email us at centerforservice@missouriwestern.edu or stop by our office in Eder 202. We will then schedule a time for you to meet with one of our staff members for a brief orientation session. You can start the process any time throughout the year.
- Let the Center for Service office know you are interested
- Complete your one-on-one orientation at your convenience
- Accept your invite to UNV 201 in Canvas
- Complete the tasks in Canvas
- Go out and complete your 40 hours of service/credit hour
- Log your hours (VOMO) and provide signed verification of your hours
- Complete your Survey of Service Learning
- Write or video your service reflection
- Meet for your debrief
You may earn up to three (3) credit hours. Each credit hour requires 40 hours of service.
At your orientation, we will discuss ideas for your volunteering based on your interests, schedule, career path and major. If you already have a volunteer activity you enjoy doing, we can talk about that as well. Volunteer hours may be completed at one or multiple locations. Click on “Service Opportunities” on this site to find volunteer opportunities.
Approved volunteer activities should take place with non-profit 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 tax-exempt public organizations, public Pre-K-12 schools, or local government entities.
Other organizations may be approved on a case-by-case basis keeping the following criteria in mind:
- Have volunteer needs.
- Serve a strictly charitable purpose.
Volunteer activities that will not be approved:
- Work with private individuals.
- Work with partisan political campaigns.
- Work on behalf of for-profit entities.
- Work in any religious organization for the purposes of proselytizing (all work performed for religious organizations must be to provide a community need (i.e. providing food, clothing, tutoring, etc.)
- Volunteer hours that were completed prior to your orientation with the Center for Service.
- Hours completed on campus unless the activity is helping a community outside of Missouri Western. Prior approval must be obtained.
Please check with Center for Service staff prior to volunteering to make sure your hours can be approved.
You may serve in your hometown. Contact the CFS in Eder Hall 202 for project approval.
Yes! The Center for Service will offer a volunteer activity every Gold Friday during the academic year. This is a great way to volunteer, meet new people and earn hours toward earning UNV201 credit. Contact our office to learn more.
We will also do campus-wide volunteer events throughout the year. Griffs Give Back Day of Service, Campus Beautification Day (during Homecoming week), “What are you doing for others?” Day of Service and The Big Event are some of our campus traditions.
Volunteer hours may be completed as your time allows. You have one full calendar year (365 days) to complete each 40 hours you plan to serve for credit.
Hours for your UNV201 credit(s) begin accumulating following your orientation and completing the tasks in Canvas.
Absolutely! Service is a great way to gain applied learning experience and there’s no better time to start than your freshman year. Students entering Missouri Western for the first time will be eligible to start UNV201 after the start of their first semester.
A student must be degree-seeking and enrolled at least part-time to be eligible to earn UNV 201 Credit.
UNV201 is a general elective (not an elective within your major) and all undergraduates have choices for a variety of electives.
At the completion of 40 hours of service and other required activities, the Center for Service will submit information to the Registrar’s Office to award credit for UNV201. Each credit (up to three (3)) will be noted on the transcript.
Missouri Western cannot guarantee that UNV201/UNV501 will transfer to another university. Students should direct questions regarding transferring the credit to the institution to which he or she will transfer.
Volunteer hours that are a requirement of another class may not be used toward UNV 201 volunteer hours.
UNV301 is a major elective course that works very similarly to UNV201 but with these exceptions:
- UNV 301 is a tuition-bearing course
- Your volunteer project must align with your major. A Service Learning Proposal is submitted for review by your academic department chair and must be approved prior to registering for the class.
- You may complete one, two or three credit hours of UNV301, but the required hours (40 per credit hour) and additional assignments must be completed within the semester you enroll.