Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in the Public Service Pathways Program?

First-year, second-year, and transfer students are eligible to participate in the program. Transfer students must enroll in the program in their semester of entry to UVA and spring Transfer students and third-year transfer students must take the required course during their first semester at UVA.

What steps do I need to take to enroll in the program?

To begin the program, all interested students must start by subscribing to the newsletter

First-year students begin by signing up for the First Year Newsletter. At the end of their first year, they will be invited to enroll in 2 Pathways.

Second-year and second-year transfer students can enroll immediately in 2 Pathways of their choosing and the Pathways-specific Newsletter. Before their third-year, they will be asked to choose 1 Pathway to focus on.

When is the deadline to enroll?

First-year students can enroll anytime throughout the academic year.

Second-year students and third-year transfer students must enroll by Oct 15.

Spring transfer students must enroll by the add/drop deadline for the spring semester of their semester of entry.

How often do you offer the Pathways Orientation and Community Engagement 101 Workshop?

We offer each of these required events multiple times each semester typically in the early evenings. Please keep an eye out for details in the newsletter!

Do I have to take a class as part of the program?

Yes, second-year students must take a required one credit guest-lecture based course: Democracy and Public Service (UNST 1410) in either Fall or Spring semester.

Transfer students must take the course during their first semester at UVA.

Can I take the course as a first year?

Generally, the answer is no. If you are anticipating unavoidable academic conflicts during your second year, we may approve earlier enrollment on a case-by-case basis.

I am enrolled in the newsletter but can’t access the Canvas site.

Please email [email protected] and we will help you out!

Help! I missed a required event last semester and did not complete my checklist.

Breathe. It’s ok to make up Connect, Learn and Serve events as necessary throughout your time in the program. It is your responsibility to complete the checklist in earnest, but if you realize you missed something, make it a priority for next semester.

I’m a third- or fourth- year student. How can I get involved?

Unfortunately, third- and fourth-year students are not eligible to fully participate in the program. However, they can still sign up for the newsletter to get periodic announcements about service-related events. Third-year transfer students can enroll in the program so long as they meet the October 15 enrollment deadline (see above).

I’m a graduate or professional student. How can I get involved?

We are currently developing a graduate student experience. Please sign up for the newsletter (and note you are a graduate student on the form) to stay in touch about this exciting new program!

I’m graduating early. Am I still eligible to participate in the program?

We would love to have you in the program for as long as you are able to participate. Unfortunately, you will not be eligible for the designation on your transcript as this is designed to acknowledge the graduating class in each Pathways cohort who has completed at least 3 years in the program after their first year.

I love Public Service Pathways and want to apply for the Student Advisory Council (SAC). When do you recruit new members and how can I apply?

Thanks for your interest! We recruit new SAC members each spring through an application process. Prospective SAC members must be either in their first-year intending to enroll in Pathways or a second- or third-year already enrolled in the program. If you’d like to learn more about the position, please reach out to one of our SAC members featured here.