What is ACRE?
The Advanced Course Related Experience (“ACRE”) allows for students to earn academic credit for experiential learning done in conjunction with a classroom course that they have taken, or are taking, for credit. Students work in conjunction with full-time faculty members to design and execute proposals for learning how law and theory learned in the classroom operates externally. Some projects may present opportunities for collaboration between faculty teaching clinical and classroom courses. ACRE also may be used to provide opportunities for students to assist faculty with pro bono representation of community groups or clients.
ACRE is available for 1 to 3 non-graded (S/F) credits. ACRE is subject to the restriction on the number of non-classroom credits which may be counted to satisfy the credit requirement for graduation. Students spend 45 hours working on the project for each credit hour earned. Credits are awarded commensurate with hours worked at 45 hours per credit hour unless a different basis is established beforehand by the faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor approving the project is responsible for monitoring the student’s learning and awarding of credit. Neither the student nor faculty supervisor may receive financial compensation for work done on an ACRE project. ACRE enrollment is by permission only. A student cannot obtain ACRE credit for work done in the past and/or for courses taken at other universities or professional schools.
What types of projects might work for an ACRE?
ACRE projects flow from a course students have taken, or are taking, for credit. Projects include, but are not limited to, the following: research and development of materials in support of litigation; work on proposed legislation or regulation related to the class; or a factual research project to gather data concerning a legal issue related to the Course. Note that other projects may be proposed, the above are only a few illustrative examples. Students may not use ACRE to be a faculty teaching assistant or research assistant. ACREs may only be supervised by full time faculty members.
What are the Requirements for an ACRE?
To obtain permission to enroll in an ACRE, a student must do the following:
- Identify lessons/material of interest from a classroom course taught by a full-time faculty member that they have taken, or are taking, for credit that they want to learn more about in an experiential way.
- Approach the full-time professor teaching the course and ask if they would be willing to supervise the student for an ACRE project.
- Working with the faculty supervisor, identify a project that would best assist the student in furthering their learning and have the student create a one to two page proposal regarding the project.
- Fill out an ACRE Proposal Form, making sure to sign where indicated, and attach a copy of the project proposal.
- By the deadline, turn in the ACRE Proposal Form (with the project proposal attached) to the Office of Student Affairs.
- After submission of the form, promptly check your schedule to ensure you are registered for the appropriate number of credits.
- Following completion of the ACRE project (typically at the end of a semester), the faculty member will enter an appropriate grade.
DEADLINE
ACRE Proposals must be complete and submitted to the Office of Student Affairs by 4:30 pm no later than (1) week prior to the first day of classes each semester for which credit is being sought.
