Service LearningImplementation as a Graduation Requirement

Service Learning Advisory Board Proposal

Presented By:Tom Rust

Kathy KoteckiService Learning Co-Coordinators

Service Learning….How does it connect?

Service Learning enhances MSU Billings Core Purpose, Mission, and Core Values By:

• Engaging in civic responsibility

• Providing exceptional and excellent teaching

• Promoting intellectual, cultural, social and economic community enhancement

• Translating practice into knowledge

• Accepting leadership for intellectual, cultural, social and economic development beyond University Boundaries

Service Learning at MSU BillingsService learning is an educational experience and a teaching method that focuses on learning through community projects. Projects enable students to apply academic knowledge and critical thinking skills to benefit the community

while students gain a deeper understanding of course content and the importance of civic engagement.

Criteria: Project must be strongly connected to course objectives.

Project is required of all students and is clearly outlined in the syllabus.

Project benefits the community.

Project is academically rigorous.

Formal Reflection is deliberate.

Formal assessment – grade is based on learning, not service.

A goal is to promote civic engagement.

A Service Learning Requirement at MSU Billings:

Universal Opportunities and Challenges

• Opportunities– Students– University image– Giving back to the taxpayers of Montana

• Challenges– Faculty buy-in– Student credit issues– Investment

• Administrative• Projects• Staffing

Background/ResearchSurvey of Required Service Learning Paradigms

General Education Requirement – Specific Classes already in Gen Ed General Education Requirement – Separate Category with multiple options (credit and co-curricular options) General Education Requirement – Separate Category Specific Classes for Service Learning Graduation Requirement with specific class options (de facto gen ed) Graduation Requirement – Credit/Non-Credit Options Major Requirement General Education + Major Requirement

Service Learning Credit OptionsCreated by the Service Learning Advisory Board

(the beginning of a campus wide dialog)

Continue building and implementing Service Learning within courses through all

colleges and departments as we currently do!

Option 1Faculty who are currently teaching with a Service Learning Component increase the

class credit by 1 (a 3 credit class becomes a 4 credit class)

Benefits• Faculty will have more teaching time in their course• Faculty may be more inclined to do this

Challenges• All Service Learning might not warrant an extra credit – would add more time• All Service Learning isn’t equal – who decides• Budget implications (staff resources)• Extra tuition expenses for students (if not in flat spot)

Option 2Use the existing 1 credit ASC 297 Service Learning Course and require all freshmen to take it as part of

Academic Foundations.

Benefits• All freshmen would be exposed to Service Learning right from the beginning of their college

experience • Retention tool• This experience could be a starting point in building many service learning experiences for them

during the duration of their experience at MSUB• Could produce a large increase in enrollment – help FTE

Challenges• Credit loads for students – for example, COE students have no room within their courses for an extra

credit• Human/Financial Resources• Transfer students would not necessarily transfer in with a Service Learning Course to cover this

requirement• Quality of student skills and motivation for the project• Community partner fatigue

Option 2AAdd an additional credit to the ASC 101 course (College Success Strategies) so

the course becomes 2 credits with a Service Learning Component – required for all freshmen

Benefits• Same as Option 2

Challenges• Same as Option 2

Option 3 Identify “Capstone” Courses in (most) majors and add an additional 1 cr. Service Learning

component (this includes the COT) including a specifically non-major option

Benefits• More advanced/higher skill set – can contribute more to community• Students may benefit more – Community Partners get more benefit• Most majors can do this• 4 cr. rewards faculty effort/attract more FTE

Challenges• How to combine with existing Co-op Ed internships• Could be a choice• Funding• Faculty loads• Staffing for Admin• Re-defining SL

Option 4Create a Capstone required course that is not specific to a major that has a SL component (for example

– a business student could do their SL capstone project in a course related to Public Relations if they have interest in that area); look at ways to incorporate SL into an internship (for example – an accounting student could do a 3 credit internship at KPMG and then do an extra 1 credit Service Learning experience using their accounting skills for a non-profit).

Benefits• Same as Option 3 plus….• More flexible for students• Increase FTE in SL courses• Creates more well-rounded, employable students• Increase student interest and motivation

Challenges• Drawback existing internship model – internships do not equal Service Learning• Re-defining SL• Miss out on cooperative engagement with other students• Expected skill set in another major is missing

Option 5Provide the Service Learning requirement to be fulfilled throughout the students

experience (not just tied to freshmen or senior year) – build on what we are currently doing and make it part of the culture of MSUB.

Benefits: ‘nuff said

Challenges: We aren’t there yet.

The Beginning of the DISCUSSSION:Ideas for models and ways to implement Service Learning

Next Steps:Idea - Service Learning Strategic Planning Session in MayDeansDept ChairsCurrent/Interested SL facultyService Learning Advisory BoardCommunity Partners

THANK YOU!