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Service Learning for Academic Credit

As a CIS Abroad participant on a service learning program, you will automatically be enrolled in our service learning course and earn credit that you can work to transfer back to your home college or university. This service learning course is a required part of the program and built into the overall program structure.

How is credit awarded?

All students will be enrolled in our online course entitled Global Community-Based Learning (4 U.S. credits), developed in collaboration with our school of record, Jacksonville University. Credit is awarded based on successful completion of service hours, the online modules, and a variety of assignments listed below.

Course Description

Global, community-based learning combines community service outside the U.S. with academic instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and personal and civic responsibility. In this interdisciplinary course, the student will collaborate with a community partner abroad to complete a signature service project that addresses a significant problem, issue, or question as identified by the local host community. Prerequisite: minimum GPA of 2.0.

Credits: 4 credits (Minimum of 140 service hours)

Download the Syllabus >>

Assignments:

  • Pre-program reflection paper
  • Three guided reflection papers
  • Summative reflection paper
  • Final creative deliverable (a video, presentation, blog, or similar deliverable (to be determined in advance in consultation with the instructor) which presents the outcomes/results of their service project to an external audience.

Credit Transfer

Jacksonville University Transcript (optional)

If your home university requires an official U.S. transcript, you can request to obtain a transcript through CIS Abroad’s School of Record, Jacksonville University (JU). To receive credit via JU, students must have achieved Sophomore status prior to the start of the program, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. There is an additional fee of $300 ($75 per credit for 4 credits) for students who wish to receive credit and an official transcript from Jacksonville University. Please talk with your study abroad office, academic advisor, or career services office to see what will be needed in order to transfer your credit back to your home institution.

Jacksonville University, CIS Abroad’s accrediting partner, is a SACSCOC-accredited institution.