Faculty FAQ's

Professors: Students can gain extra credits depending on if the student has completed at least the minimum amount of hours or has exceeded the hours for the next category (5 credits, 10 credits, 15 credits, or 30 credits) and acknowledged a qualitative component in the service experience. 

1. 1. For example, if a student in a 5 credit course completes 10+ hours, then they may receive 10 credits. However, if the student has completed ~6-9 hours of service, then additional credits are not granted due to the intention of the credit framework.

   2. Students can not receive any more credits beyond 30 credits because that is the max credits a student can receive per course.

   3. We ask faculty to be engaged in this exception for additional credits by verifying and submitting the final amount of credits. At the end of the semester, Academic Service Learning will provide a Service-Learning Course Roster in which the professor will note the number of credits for each student including one-offs for students who completed extra credit hours.  

   4. Additionally, students can fill out a service credit form on home.apu.edu with the professor as their supervisor. The amount of service credits chosen will have to follow the credit-hour rules below. 

For more information on credits, please view here and see the points below. To emphasize, credits are not solely based on the number of hours completed but the qualitative experiential experience as well. 

• 5 credits— 5-9 hours of service (e.g. one-day service project)

• 10 credits— 10-14 hours of service (e.g. two-day service project)

• 15 credits— 15-29 hours of service (e.g. semester long, weekly service opportunity or weekend service trip)

• 30 credits— 30+ hours of service (e.g. mission trip, summer camp)

Have the student(s) fill out their credits through the normal service credits process by completing a Service Credit Report Form on home.apu.edu. Academic Service Learning manages Service Learning projects attached to the courses. For more information on other service credit options, view here. 

Each professor is instructed to have a back-up Community Partner/project (off-campus/unpaid) before the course starts. Reach out to kayokim@apu.edu if you are having issues finding a Community Partner. 

Faculty may adjust credit amounts per student depending on range of completion of the project. The credits must be in the following increments: 5, 10, 15, 30 and follow the credit guideline below. We defer to faculty to determine the correct amount of credits per situation. However, please keep in mind of any effects this may have on seniors. Specifically, before graduation, seniors may count on a certain amount of credits in order to be cleared to graduate. 

• 5 credits—one day of service (must be 5+ hours in one day)

• 10 credits—two-day or weekend service project (each day must be 5+ hours)

• 15 credits—semester of weekly involvement (generally 1-2 hours per week totaling roughly 15-30 hours of service)

• 30 credits—intensive weeklong or summerlong service or increased commitment and responsibility roughly equivalent to 40+ hours (e.g., Global Engagement Team)

Undergraduate Service-Learning Coordinators represent the center by working with faculty and community partners. SLCs conduct service-learning orientations, ensure student agreement forms are completed, liaise with faculty and community partners, collect and report reflections, and provide logistical support as needed.

After orientation, we will follow up with students who may need to have their chapel absences excused.

Students should request to have their chapel absence excused 2-3 weeks before the absence occurs. Faculty members must contact @servicelearning.apu.edu regarding the absences of students who need excuses from the chapel. Once you email us the names of the students who need their chapel absence excused, we will begin to process it. After the form has been processed, we will email the students individually to inform them whether their absence has been approved or denied.

Some students may have difficulty completing the service learning project for various reasons and request an alternative assignment to receive service credits. We do not offer alternative assignments. Each professor is responsible for deciding whether to provide one. If a professor chooses to offer an alternative assignment, it must be submitted in the course plan form as an option for students.