What are the requirements?

What kind of community work qualifies for the 4th Credit Option for Social Action?               

What are the steps I should take to apply?

Where can I get the application?

Whom do I contact for questions or more information about the 4th Credit Option for Social Action?

What are the requirements?

The 4th Credit Option for Social Action helps you integrate community work for social justice with course materials so that your learning is enriched by the work in the community, while that work is deepened by the course work.  This requires that you:

• Commit approximately four hours per week with a community organization (40 hours per semester)
  
• Meet learning goals agreed upon by your agency, professor, and you
  
• Attend an orientation
  
• Participate in three discussion sessions
  
• Write three reflective essays

What kind of community work qualifies for the 4th Credit Option for Social Action?

To qualify for the 4th Credit Option for Social Action, the work in the community must follow these guidelines:

• It engages you with individuals or communities of need and with issues related to social justice (including, for example, community development, access to resources, etc.
  
• It meets the needs of the community organization and the educational goals set by you and professor
  
• Types of work include: direct service, policy analysis, research, and/or advocacy

Please note that community work for the 4th Credit Option for Social Action must be distinct from and in addition to any community work you do as part of the course requirements. 

What are the steps I should take to apply?

• Think about your commitments for next semester and decide if you have enough time to commit to the 4th Credit Option for Social Action.
   
• Consider your courses and choose one in which you would be interested in adding a 4th Credit Option for Social Action component. 
  
• Read through the application materials.
  
• Identify a community partner who meets 4th Credit Option for Social Action criteria and whose needs can be addressed by your work (Community-Based Organization [CBO] Resource Packet). 
  
• Make an appointment to visit the community site and meet with your potential supervisor.                                                                                                  
• Work with your contact there to complete the Community Agency Learning Agreement portion of the application.                                        
• Consider how the work you will be doing might relate to your studies and to your long-term professional goals. 
  • Make an appointment with your professor to discuss your participation.
  • Review the course syllabus to identify academic course objectives and how your community work for social justice will help you in meeting those objectives. 
  • Complete the Faculty portion of the application.
  • Have your professor sign your drop/add form.
    
• Submit all application materials to the Community-Based Learning Coordinator.

Where can I get the application?

Click here to download the application.

Whom do I contact for questions or more information about the 4th Credit Option for Social Action?

Jane Kirchner
Community-Based Learning Coordinator
Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service
Poulton Hall, Suite 130
1421 37^th St, NW
202-687-2607