The National Center for Service-Learning (1979) defines service-learning through three key characteristics:

1. Service-learning constitutes activity that is focused on meeting a human need in the community where that need has to do with the well-being of individuals and/or of the environment in which they live.

2. Key academic and/or civic objectives to be achieved through combining service with learning have been identified prior to the activity.

3. Opportunities for students to reflect on their experience and its connection to specific academic/civic objectives are incorporated into the activity.