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Common Criteria for Designating a Course as a Service-Learning Course

 

Faculty generally must submit an application to a review panel in order to designate their courses as service-learning courses. Below, compiled from several colleges and universities nationwide, are common criteria that faculty must meet to receive the designation for their courses:

• The syllabus must reflect incorporation of service experience into teaching and learning objectives for the course, as well as an explanation of the service-learning component and pedagogy.
• Partner agencies identify needs to be met by students performing service and are involved in planning for the service and evaluation of service; some schools also require that the partner agencies are involved in organizing the course itself.
• Faculty and students become acquainted with agencies students are to be placed with prior to students commencing service, understanding agency mission, clientele, location; additionally students receive some training and have a full understanding of their rights and responsibilities in the agency.
• Academic credit is earned for learning gained from the experience, not for the service itself; the courses are academically rigorous, as determined by department and college curriculum committees, and are appropriate for students’ academic preparation.
• The service experience is informed by knowledge from the discipline and is integrated into the course through readings, projects, class presentations, meaningful and on-going reflection (including dialogues about community issues and the need for service).
• The service opportunities are designed to further students’ civic education. The course must offer students an opportunity to learn from each other in addition to learning from the instructor.
• Students must complete a minimum number of hours of service and the community service component must comprise a inimum/maximum (i.e. no less than 15% and no more than 30%) percentage of the total course grade.
• The community partnership does not represent a conflict of interest for students or faculty.