4th-Credit Option
The 4th-credit option offers students the opportunity to earn an additional credit in conjunction with a 3-credit course. This opportunity entails a minimum of 20 hours of service at a site in the local nonprofit community.
Participating in the 4th-credit option helps many students find a deeper understanding of class content through real world application of what they are learning. The 4th-Credit option requires students to take ownership of their learning experience by applying course concepts in the community and using service to enhance in-class learning.
A mix of three ID 120 and ID 121 credits will fulfill one 3-credit unrestricted elective.
Important Dates and Application Information
for the Service-Learning 4th-credit option,
Spring Semester 2008:
1) 4th-credit application deadline: 4:30 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008.
**Instructor’s signature is required!**
2) CORI Form background check — Monday, January 28, 2008 from 2:10 to 3:25 p.m., Koumantzelis. Students anticipating performing their service through the public schools must fill out a Massachusetts Criminal Background check (CORI). Please bring either a valid U.S. drivers licence or a valid passport. International students must also obtain a letter of good standing from International Services in the Student Union Building.
3) 4th-credit acceptance notification — Friday, February 1, 2008. Students will be notified about whether or not they have been accepted into the 4th-credit program, electronically, via their Bentley e-mail address.
4) Mandatory 4th-credit Site Orientation and Pre-Reflection meeting — Monday, February 4, 2008, from 2:10 to 3:25 p.m. If your application is accepted, you will be contacted at your Bentley e-mail address by a project manager regarding the location of your site orientation by Friday, February 1, 2008.
5) Mandatory Mid-semester 4th-credit Reflection session: Save the date! — Wednesday, March 5, 2008, from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.
6) Mandatory End of Semester Final Reflection session: Save the date! - Wednesday April 9, 2008, from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.
*If you anticipate participating in BCAL, Database Project,
Framingham Credit Union, GLAD, or Project Eye-to-Eye
please contact Shawn Hauserman, Assistant Director of
Academic Programs, regarding the above dates.
Other important dates:
Students begin working in the community:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008, or thereafter.
All 4th-credit projects end:
TBD
Last day to drop 4th-credit classes without a "W":
TBD
Last day to drop 4th-credit classes with a "W":
TBD
Once this and the additional application forms are signed where required by student and instructor, submitted in hard copy to the Bentley Service-Learning Center, and approved by the Bentley Service-Learning Center, students will be registered for a one-credit course, ID 120 for Arts and Science related course or ID 121 for Business courses. Students who wish to “withdraw” with a grade of "W" must follow standard course withdrawal procedures at the registrar's office.
Non-completion of this course or failure to withdraw before the deadline may result in a grade assignment of "F" by the instructor.
To register for the 4th-credit option, students MUST follow
the next 11 steps:
- Fill out the application forms at the 4th-credit link
- Press submit
- Print out the application form with your registration information
- Sign the application form
- Fill out the Service-Learning Student Schedule according to the instructions
- Read and sign the Service-Learning Attendance and Performance Expectations form
- Meet with your professor and discuss with them their expectations for the 4th-credit option
- Have your professor sign the application form
- Bring the signed application, your completed Service-Learning Student Schedule, the Service-Learning Attendance and Performance Expectations form to the Bentley Service-Learning Center in Morison 101, by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday,
February 1, 2008.
