Overview

The Center for Community Engagement helps UCLA undergraduates connect with the vibrant and diverse communities of Los Angeles through hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences that combine academic excellence with real-world impact.

Whether you’re a prospective Bruin, a current student, or a transfer student—welcome! You’re in the right place to explore how you can get involved. Below, you’ll find an overview of our community engagement opportunities and when they might fit into your UCLA journey.

Click on any program to visit its website and learn more. Be sure to check out our planning chart to see which opportunities are available by year, so you can map out your experience in advance!

Have questions? We’re happy to help! Reach out to us at communityengagement@college.ucla.edu.

Community-Engaged Courses

Through community-engaged courses, you can earn academic credit while connecting what you learn in class to meaningful work across Los Angeles. These courses offer a variety of opportunities, including direct service and research, depending on the course.

When you’re browsing UCLA’s course catalog or schedule of classes, look for courses with the XP suffix—they’re designed to integrate community engagement!

Many of these classes also satisfy GE, writing, diversity, and other graduation requirements, so you can make an impact while staying on track with your degree.

Community Engagement & Social Change Minor

The Community Engagement & Social Change (CESC) minor is an interdisciplinary program that gives you the chance to dive deep into strategies for creating social change through hands-on engagement in Los Angeles and beyond. It’s designed to complement any major, allowing you to explore impactful work while pursuing your degree.

Study Away Programs

Quarter in Washington

Spend a quarter in Washington D.C. and gain a national perspective through a mix of coursework and internships. Students from all majors can take part, building career connections while immersing themselves in the heart of the nation’s policies and practices.

UC Center Sacramento (UCCS)

This program invites UC students from all campuses to live, intern, and study in California’s capital, with a focus on public policy and professional development.

JusticeCorps

This 1-year service program gives members the opportunity to assist individuals who are representing themselves in court and can’t afford legal representation. It’s a chance to make a real difference while gaining valuable experience.

Scholarships and Scholars Programs

We offer both scholarship opportunities and scholar programs with financial support for students actively involved in community-engaged learning, research, or work experiences.

Alex White Internship Scholarship supports UCLA students by providing funding for valuable career experience through summer internships.
Astin Community Engaged Scholars focus on research that supports social justice movements, helping drive real change.
Changemaker Scholars mentor youth civic activists, guiding them in their efforts to create social change.
Data Justice Scholars work on analyzing data sources critical for research on social justice issues in Los Angeles.
Summer Internship Scholarship helps increase student access to experiential learning, supports career preparation, and offsets financial challenges related to unpaid summer internships.

195CE Internship Courses

Students can earn upper-division academic credit by enrolling in an internship course while gaining hands-on experience with an off-campus corporate, non-profit, or government agency.

The following departments currently offer 195CE courses. To see which courses are available in a particular quarter, visit the 195CE website.

Anthropology
Community Engagement & Social Change
Disability Studies
English
Food Studies
Global Health
International and Area Studies
Music Industry
Public Affairs
Public Health
Religion

ACADEMIC CREDIT	Year 1	Year 2	*Year 3	*Year 4
Community Engaged Courses	✔	✔	✔	✔
Community Engagement & Social Change Minor	✔	✔	✔	✔
195CE Internship Courses			✔	✔
Quarter in Washington Program		✔	✔	✔
UC Center Sacramento Program		✔	✔	✔
Changemaker Scholars		✔	✔	✔
Astin Community Engaged Scholars Program			✔	✔
Data Justice Scholars Program			✔	✔

SCHOLARSHIPS	Year 2	*Year 3	*Year 4
JusticeCorps (apply in Winter)	✔	✔	✔
Changemaker Scholars (apply in Fall)	✔	✔	✔
Alex White Internship Scholarship (apply in Spring)	✔	✔	✔
Astin Community Engaged Scholars (apply in Spring)		✔	✔
CCE Summer Internship Scholarship (apply in Spring)		✔	✔
Data Justice Scholars Program (apply in Spring)		✔	✔

* Year 3 and 4 Opportunities Open to Transfer Students

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UCLA Center for Community Engagement

Overview

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