Experiential Learning Credits for UMass Dartmouth Students

UMass Dartmouth students can earn experiential learning credits for participating as Compeer volunteers.  To do this you need to register for Psycholgy 298 or Nursing 298, both entitled "An Experiential Look at Mental Illness."   Students must have sophomore standing and a 2.0 gpa to receive academic credit.   (Freshmen can take the course non-credit.)    Students earn 1 credit per semester and may earn up to 6 credits for participating in the program.    The course meets once a week during the early evening for 2 weeks of training.   Students are then matched, in pairs, to a local community residence or day program.  They visit the residence or program once a week to socialize and engage in recreational activities.   Students share their experiences with the class in an on-line journal.   The class comes together three more times for face-to-face discussion and/or guest speakers.   The course is graded pass/fail.  The time commitment is 3 hours a week.

After their first year of participation, students may request a one-to-one match, if they choose.   One-to-one matches are always of the same gender.   Returning students may also be asked to help with the initial training of new students.

Majors in psychology, social work, nursing, criminal justice, pre-med and pre-law are especially encouraged to consider taking this course.  Previous student compeers have obtained employment as a direct result of their Compeer experience.   Other students report receiving job interviews based on Compeer appearing on their resume.  The Compeer experience is also excellent fodder for the essay portion of a med school, law school or graduate school application.  And perhaps most important of all, students describe their Compeer experience as the nicest part of their week and something they truly look forward to.  

 

To register for Compeer for experiential learning credits:

       1.  Registration takes place during the training.   See #6 below for information on time, date and place of training.   If you cannot make the first training but want to participate, contact Christine Frizzell (cfrizzell@umassd.edu) .

       2.   Download a list of placement sites.   Some of the programs (they are marked) have an orientation process and/or background check for volunteers that can take substantial time.   If you want to work with these programs, you will need to contact them 3-4 weeks before the start of the semester to begin that process.   For the other programs, you can wait till the first training to make a decision.

      3.   Download a CORI form (background check), print it, fill it out and bring it and a picture ID to the first training. 

      4.   Look over a sample experiential learning contract (for psychology and nursing majors or for all other majors.)  You will need to sign one of these during the first training.   (The instructor will bring copies already signed by university officials.)

     5.   Here's a copy of the syllabus for the course and a list of expectations for Compeer volunteers.

     6.  Here's a flyer with date, time and place of trainings for Spring '08.

     7.  This form is used to document attendance at your placement and you fill out this form and leave it with your placement site so they have your      contact information in case of emergency or program cancellation.

     8.   Student send in weekly email journals using this format.

    9.    Here's a sample letter to the editor to use as a model for your assignment.

    
             

 

Internships with Compeer

Interns who serve as Compeer volunteers also assist the program coordinator in a variety of tasks related to the day-to-day operation of the program. This is an excellent chance to learn about administration/management of non-profit and volunteer programs. The internship is graded pass/fail and carries 3 credits. For additional information or to apply contact Robin Roy, internship coordinator for UMass Dartmouth at X8674 or Cynthia Farnham at (508) 542-0203.   Students in business administration, nursing, psychology, humanities and social sciences, and sociology should consider this internship.

Special Projects

Compeer welcomes student help with grantwriting and publicity. Students in marketing and grantwriting courses are encouraged to contact Cynthia Farnham, Program Coordinator {(508) 542-0203 or compeer@umassd.edu} to discuss working with Compeer as part of the requirements of other courses, as a class project, or as an internship.

 Last Updated On: 2/8/08