Although we are facing challenging times meeting with the community in person due to COVID-19, we still believe that service hours can be completed. As such, since February we have allowed students to complete their hours through remote service work as long as their activity was preapproved and met CESL guidelines. This exception will continue for the remainder of the academic year. As in the past, student group leaders are still eligible to apply 5 hours of group planning toward their 20-hour requirement.

CESL Requirements

Please note that completion of CESL is a requirement for advancement into 3rd year...

M1 Students (Class of 2024): Will be able to fulfill requirements toward the CESL course by selecting one to two service projects of interest. You are required to complete 20 hours of direct service-learning, by January 31, 2022.

M2 Students (Class of 2023): Will be able to fulfill requirements toward the CESL course by selecting one to two service projects of interest. You are required to complete 20 hours of direct service-learning, by January 31, 2021.

All cohorts need to complete their 20 hours along with the following RedCap requirements:

  • Pre-Reflection Essay
  • Completed Activities during the service learning project
  • Expected Impact
  • Post-Reflection Essay.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in didactic discussions on various topics that will help to provide useful historical knowledge, guidance, and tools for carrying out meaningful service projects in partnership with the community. Please refer to information via email and your CESL Canvas site to stay up to date. 

RedCap Portal

RedCap is the online data management system that will allow students to document their reflection essays, log their service activities, and complete their project reports. Each student receives an email with a unique individualized link for the RedCap system that should be bookmarked for future use. Upon logging out of the system students will see a verification code that will be required to access their profile in the future.

Students will complete a Pre-Reflection Essay prior to beginning their service experience and a Post-Reflection Essay at the conclusion of their involvement with the project. Students will complete a Project Report throughout the course of their involvement with the service project. Students will use the RedCap system to upload their reflection essays, project summary, and log of service hours.

Curriculum Objectives

The CESL elective aligns with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Curriculum Goal 4, Objective 5:

Goal 4
Commitment to the Health of the Community and Appreciation of Social and Cultural Diversity

Objective 5
To demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility and commitment to service:

  • Understand the impact of external sociocultural constructs on the health of the community
  • Identify healthcare access and quality issues both at the individual and community level
  • Discuss strategies to overcome healthcare access and quality issues on an individual and community level
  • Recognize and appropriately address health inequality  

New Project Proposal

Anyone interested in creating a unique CESL project, please use the new project proposal portal to submit an application. For students who have a special interest in community service and academic medicine, the Pozen Scholars Program may provide mini-grants which are subject to approval. While the proposal is under review, students are encouraged to continue planning their project and documenting time dedicated toward the initiative.