What if I have questions?

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers

Can babysitting be counted as an Early Community Experience?

No, babysitting does not count; however, tutoring sessions after school can count toward your overall experience hours.

If I already have Early Community Experience hours, can I count them?

Some of your previous Early Community Experience hours may count toward the requirement. If you have experiences you wish to count toward the requirement or you are a non-traditional student, you should contact the department or program to which you will be applying for their review of the previous experiences.

Can I get paid, or does the Early Community Experience need to be strictly voluntary?

Your Early Community Experience hours may be in paid positions/jobs. You may want to try non-paid volunteer opportunities as a different kind of Early Community Experience than a paid position. Again, just make certain your paid position meets the Early Community Experiences requirements.

Does teaching Sunday school count?

Please check with the department or program to which you will be applying.

Does the Early Community Experience have to involve children or youth?

Any situation or community experience somehow affects children in a variety of aspects of their lives. For example, volunteering as a resource coordinator at the local Department of Family and Children's Services will help you learn more about the families in the community: their issues, concerns, and challenges, and expectations for their children. A better understanding of families will help you better understand the children and youth you may have in your class one day.

Can I count an Early Community Experience that was a required part of a class in high school or college?

Yes, as long as the Early Community Experience meets the requirements and you complete the documentation.

What courses are offered at the University of Georgia that have Early Community Experiences as a requirement for the course?

EPSY 2020: http://www.bulletin.uga.edu/bulletin/courses/descript/epsy.html By permission of the department, students can earn a one-hour lab credit with this course by participating in an expanded outreach project.
Others coming soon

What is the minimum and maximum number of Early Community Experience hours that I need to have completed?

Minimum number of hours = Check with the department or program of your choice. There is no maximum number of hours for the requirement; however, an excessive number of hours over the minimum will not necessarily be weighed favorably.

Who will evaluate my Reflection Form? Will this information be confidential?

The Reflection Form is submitted along with the initialized Supervisor Interview Form in your portfolio when applying for admission into the department of program of your choice. The department advisor will decide whether the Early Community Experiences meet the requirements for selection and the forms are completed correctly.

The information on the Reflection Forms is not confidential as some verification may be made, however, each person's privacy will be respected.

If I have already been involved in Service Learning projects, do they count?

Previously completed Service Learning projects may count as Early Community Experience credit. However, not all Early Community Experiences are Service Learning experiences or vice versa. Please check the Early Community Experiences requirements and then check with the department or program to which you will be applying.