Community Engaged Learning (CEL), formerly known as Community Service Learning, is a course component and form of experiential learning in which students contribute to their community by participating in instructor-approved placements related to a course's learning objectives and then produce corresponding reflective assignments.

• The CEL experience is an evaluated component of the course captured in the syllabus.  
• Students typically complete 30 hours of engagement with a partner organization* (flexible).
• Students complete a reflection activity to connect their experience with course learning.

*Excludes private sector organizations. 

At the University of Ottawa, CEL courses offer placement or project options that are linked to the course’s objectives and require participating students to critically reflect on the connection between their placement experience and the course material. This in turn gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of their field of study, and in some cases, enables them to understand the potential role they can play in effecting change in society (social impact).