Designing a Model of Institutionalization of Service-Learning Methodology in Higher Education

One of the university requirements is the integration of the ethical dimension in their educational programs (Tuning Latin America, 2013). In this line, UC, since 2004, has incorporated the methodology of Learning Service (A + S) in different degrees, in order to foster civic engagement and active participation of students in their communities. Outcome evaluations carried out confirm the effectiveness of the methodology for achieving value-based and attitudinal competencies (Berrios, Contreras, Herrada, Robles & Rubio, 2012). The A + S program was growing at UC, which led to a model of incorporation A + S in order to establish guidelines and criteria to incorporate A + S in them (Jouannet, Salas & Contreras, 2013). Currently, UC finds itself working in the second stage of the implementation of the Service Learning (A+S) program. This stage is devoted to institutionalize the (A+S) methodology in every study program. To achieve this goal, an institutionalization model, consisting of different phases, was developed. The designed model attempts to achieve and cover the three conditions –structural, cultural and procedural– required for an institutional integration of the A+S methodology within the undergraduate programs that the university offers.