Since 2002, nearly 2,000 students representing hundreds of universities across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have earned academic credit for their participation historically with ISV programs. Through independent study or transfer credit arrangements with their home institutions, students have successfully completed coursework tied to their on-site volunteer experience. Alumni consistently historical describe earning academic credit through ISV as a highly impactful and academically meaningful component of their program.

If you plan to pursue academic credit, it is your responsibility to initiate the approval process with your academic advisor, professor, or department prior to departure. Universities—and even individual departments within the same institution—maintain different policies regarding independent study and transfer credit. Approval may vary based on your major, degree requirements, and the number or type of credits you need to complete your program. ISV Legacy strongly recommends beginning these conversations as early as possible to allow ample time for review and approval.

For additional details, please review the Independent Study section below. If you need personalized guidance, our team is happy to assist—just contact our office.

Students from more than 150 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada have earned independent study or internship credit through participation in ISV programs in the past. Independent study is a self-directed academic course arranged between you and a faculty member, academic advisor, or department representative, with agreed-upon learning objectives and evaluation criteria.

Participants from a wide range of academic disciplines—including languages, nursing, public health, business, environmental studies, applied sciences, and more—have used independent study to fulfill degree requirements or elective credits. Because independent study emphasizes personal initiative and reflection, students often find the experience both academically rigorous and personally transformative.

Students pursuing independent study credit may choose to follow an ISV Legacy Course Syllabus Health-Focused, Community Development, or Natural Resources Management/Conservation. These syllabi were developed by university educators to align closely with ISV Legacy volunteer projects, ensuring that academic learning is integrated with hands-on field experience.

• Maintaining a daily reflective journal during the volunteer program*
   
• Participating in all group discussions*
   
• Optionally preparing and facilitating a group discussion*
   
• Active participation in all volunteer project activities*
   
• Completing a final academic paper after program completion (graded by your professor or advisor)
   

*Your ISV Legacy Project Leader can provide written evaluations for these components (excluding the final paper), which are submitted directly to your professor or advisor.

• Journal: 25%
   
• Group Discussions: 25%
   
• Project Participation: 10%
   
• Final Paper: 40%
   

You may present the ISV Legacy Course Syllabus to your professor or advisor and adapt it to meet your institution’s academic requirements. This option includes a $100 USD fee payable to ISV Legacy, which covers:

• Access to the Community Development or Natural Resources Management syllabus
   
• On-site oversight and evaluation by your ISV Legacy Project Leader
   
• Submission of evaluation materials directly to your professor by ISV Legacy’s International Education Director
   

There is no formal deadline, but you are encouraged to begin early to ensure approval and clarity around requirements well before departure. When completing your Placement Details Form (due 105 days prior to departure), indicate that you plan to earn academic credit so ISV Legacy can consider this when making project placements.

Credit allocation is determined solely by your university and supervising faculty member, based on your institution’s policies.

Reach out to a faculty member, academic advisor, or department administrator who oversees independent study or experiential learning.

Download and review the Guidelines for Arranging Independent Study and Field Courses available typically in your course catalog at your university and bring them to your meeting to support your proposal.

No. With guidance from your advisor, you may either:

• Follow the ISV Legacy Course Syllabus, or
   
• Develop a customized course outline tailored to your academic goals
   

ISV Legacy volunteer programs fall into two primary academic focus areas:

Natural Resources Management
 

• Health-Focused
• Community Development
• Natural Resources Management
   

Choose the syllabus that best aligns with your academic interests and program location. Not all focus areas are available in every country. For example, programs in Australia typically emphasize natural resources management, while programs in the Dominican Republic focus on community development and Health-Focused work.

If you follow the ISV Legacy Course Syllabus, your on-site Project Leader evaluates your journal, discussions, and participation. Your professor grades your final paper and assigns the final course grade.

Yes. While observational learning and literature-based analysis are encouraged, students may not conduct applied, experimental, or manipulative research involving humans or animals. Contact ISV Legacy with any questions about acceptable academic activities.

Yes. ISV Legacy can provide a Project Leader evaluation for independently designed courses for a $50 USD fee. Let us know your evaluation needs and whether your institution requires a specific form.

Our team is happy to help guide you through the process. We look forward to supporting your academic goals and welcoming you on an ISV Legacy volunteer experience.