The mission of the PULSE Program is to educate our students about social injustice by putting them into direct contact with marginalized populations and social change organizations and by encouraging discussion on classic and contemporary works of philosophy and theology.
PULSE Student Site
Access student resources and information.
Share Alumni Stories
Celebrate PULSE's 53-year history by sharing your stories and experiences.
For Such A Time As This: Why PULSE Matters
Spring 2026 marks 56 years since Boston College's PULSE Program for Service Learning offered its first course. Join a panel of distinguished speakers for a conversation on why PULSE service learning for Boston College undergraduates continues to matter, especially given current social and political realities.
Thursday April 16th
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Gasson 100
President and Executive Director, Pine Street Inn
Biology Teacher, East Boston High School
Associate Professor, Philosophy Department
Assistant Professor, Education Leadership and Higher Education Department
Undergraduate Student, CSOM
Cooney Family Director, PULSE Program for Service Learning
PULSE by the Numbers
3.2 Million
Service Hours
Since 1970
17,500
PULSE Students
Since 1970
57
Present-Day
Community Partners
PULSE Turns 50
The Boston College PULSE Program has offered 3.2 million hours of service to the greater Boston community throughout its 50-year history. Experience the stories and moments that have shaped our program by visiting our PULSE 50th Anniversary page.
About the Program
PULSE fulfills the entire Philosophy and Theology Core requirement.
12
Credits
2
Semesters
1
Course
12
Hours Per Week of Service
“ What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing. ”
Mutually Beneficial Partnerships in a Variety of Service Areas
Addiction
Adult Education
Advocacy
Career Development/Training
Early Childhood Education
Homelessness
Domestic Violence
Healthcare
Hunger
Immigration
Incarceration
Loneliness & Isolation
Mental Illness
Special Needs
Supportive Living
Youth Education & Enrichment
And More
