Community Service Hours Verification
Community Service
Service is a core part of the DeBakey experience. All students are required to complete a minimum of 100 community service hours between the start of their freshman year and graduation.
While students have flexibility in selecting volunteer opportunities, we encourage them to seek experiences that align with their interests, goals, and future aspirations. Community service can be an opportunity to explore potential career paths, develop new skills, and make a meaningful impact. For example, a student interested in veterinary medicine might volunteer at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or the Houston Zoo, while a student interested in healthcare may choose to serve in a hospital or community health setting.
The students who gain the most from their service experiences are often those who take initiative, challenge themselves, and pursue opportunities that broaden their perspectives. Community service is more than a graduation requirement—it's an opportunity to discover new interests, build valuable skills, and take an active role in shaping your future.
At DeBakey, we believe that involvement, leadership, and service are essential parts of a well-rounded education, and we encourage every student to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Community Service Hours Verification
Students must document and verify all community service hours in order for them to count toward the graduation requirement.
To receive credit, students should:
- Download and print the Community Service Hours Verification Form.
- Complete the volunteer service activity.
- Have the volunteer coordinator or supervisor at the organization sign the form to verify the hours completed.
- Submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office for processing.
Once submitted and verified, the hours will be entered into the student's official record.
Students are encouraged to keep copies of all submitted forms for their personal records.