University College

Service Learning Course Criteria 

The Honors Program at Fayetteville State University is piloting a service learning requirement for Honors students. The Honors Committee will review courses and sections proposed to fulfill the service learning requirement. The following criteria and procedures are adapted from the University of Central Florida Service-Learning program.

The basic criteria for designating an existing course as a service learning course for the are that it:

• addresses a need in the community (campus, local, regional, global)
• meets one or more course objectives
• demonstrates a clear connection between the service activity and the course content
• involves reciprocity between course and community that results in students' increased civic awareness and engagement
• involves structured student reflection
• involves collaboration with an appropriate agency representative
• involves at least 15 hours of student service to the community agency

To be designated as a service learning course, the service activities must be with nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies, including public schools, the philanthropic arm of a for profit organization, or other initiatives approved by the Honors Committee on a case by case basis.

All students in the course must be required to engage in service learning experiences. The experiences may not be simply co-op, internship, clinical practicum and other activities designed to purely meet student learning needs. These experiences designed to develop and/or demonstrate implementation of competencies which are the focus of the course, while integral to the student’s learning, do not generally meet the service learning requirements.

Initially, approval for service learning designation will generally be granted for a specific course section and specific faculty member. A syllabus that was previously approved and is unchanged does not need approval each semester. Evaluative data will be required each semester.

Procedure

For designation as a service-learning course, the following procedure must be followed.

Submission of the following to the Honors Program Director:  

1. One paragraph summary of how the service-learning activities in this course will meet course objectives and community needs
2. Statement indicating willingness to provide evaluative data as required by the service learning office at the completion of the course
3. Course syllabus or course materials
   1. Achievement of the seven criteria noted above
   2. Explanation of the types of service learning experiences that will be used to meet course objectives
   3. Options for service learning experiences that ensure that no student is required to participate in a service placement to which he or she has a religious, political, or moral objection. If all students engage in the same activity, indicate in the summary paragraph (see # 1 above) how this is unlikely to cause an objection and how any objection will be handled.
   4. Optional service-learning template statement must be revised appropriately for each discipline. Inserting this statement into the syllabus does not automatically create an approved service-learning course; supporting material should appear in the syllabus.
   5. How students will make contact with the community agencies
   6. A description of the reflection component of the experience
   7. Statement indicating that the grade will be given for achievement of course objectives through the service learning activity, not just for completing a set number of hours work with the community partner.

After certification is approved by the Honors Committee, the course/course section will be eligible to satisfy the service learning requirement for the Honors Program.