Service Learning Course Designation Form

Use this form to request a Service Learning Course Designation for a new or existing course.

Proposed course title should end with the following designation: /Service Learning

I. Service Learning Course

Dept/Program
Subject / Accounting / Course Number
(e.g. SW UG 423) / ACTG 432
Course Title(e.g. Addiction Studies/SvcLrn) / Tax Practicum/Service Learning
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) / Tax Practicum
Number of credits / one credit
Instructor name / Kenton Swift
Instructor phone andemail / 243-4182

II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete this form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please Type/Print Name / Signature / Date
Requestor
/ Kenton Swift
Requestor phone andemail / 243-4182

Program Chair/Director / Terri Herron
Other affected programs
Dean / Larry Gianchetta
III.UM Service Learning Definition:Service Learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students, faculty and community partners work together to enhance student learning by applying academic knowledge in a community-based setting. Student work addresses the needs of the community, as identified through collaboration with community or tribal partners, while meeting instructional objectives through faculty-structured service work and critical reflection meant to prepare students to be civically responsible members of the community. At its best, service learning enhances and deepens students’ understanding of an academic discipline by facilitating the integration of theory and practice, while providing them with experience that develops life skills and engages them in critical reflection about individual, institutional, and social ethics.
IV.Service Learning Course CriteriaTheUniversity of Montana-Missoula has established the following criteria for Service Learning courses. In order to receive the Service Learning course designation, a course must clearly exemplify all of the following criteria:
  • Students in the course will provide a needed service to individuals, organizations, schools, or other not-for-profit or tax-exempt entities in the community.
  • The service experience is directly related to the subject matter of the course.
  • Knowledge from the discipline informs the service experiences with which the students are to be involved.
  • Activities in the classroom will provide opportunities for students to reflect upon what they have learned through the service experience and how these experiences relate to the subject matter of the course.
  • The course offers a method to assess the learning derived from the service. Credit will be given for the learning and its relation to the course, not for the service alone.
  • Service interactions in the community will recognize the needs of service recipients, and offer an opportunity for community partner(s) to provide advice and feedback on the nature and value of theservice performed by the students.
  • Training (by the service agency) and preparation (by the course instructor) ensure that students perform service activities in a professional manner and that vulnerable populations are not harmed.
  • Service options ensure that no student is required to participate in a service placement that creates a religious, political, or moral conflict for the student.
  • In a 3-credit service learning course, students should be required to perform a minimum of 15 hours of community service per semester (i.e. 5 hours of service per academic credit.) Service hours may include hours spent in training, preparation, and direct contact with clients.

V. Confirmation of Service Learning Course Criteria: Explain how this course meets each of the following criteria.
Need for service: Describe the community-identified need and the nature of the service experience students will be involved in. / Students prepare income tax returns for low income taxpayers who cannot afford to pay a tax professional to prepare their income tax return.
Relation to course content:Describe how the service experience is related to the subject matter of the course. How do students apply their classroom learning in the service experience? / Students learn the tax rules for low income taxpayers using training materials provided by the IRS. Then they use that knowledge to prepare income tax returns for low income taxpayers.
Reflection:What opportunities are provided in the classroom for students to reflect upon what they have learned through their service experience? / After completing their volunteer work students will meet as a group to discuss how the VITA program benefits the community. This will include a discussion of the need for a free tax preparation service, the kinds of people that take advantage of the service, and the circumstance which cause people in the community to need free tax advice.
Assessment:What method(s) are used to assess the learning derived from the service experience? / Students receive immediate feedback as each tax return is completed and reviewed. In addition, weekly updates are provided to the students about any specific issues the instructor feels need clarification.
Reciprocity:How docommunity partner(s)provide advice and feedback on the nature and value of the service performed? / Every income tax return prepared as part of this program receives a final review by the IRS office in Helena. Any problems are reported back to the instructor, and to the students.
Training: What training and preparation will be provided to assure that that students perform their service activities in a professional manner and that vulnerable populations are not harmed? / The students receive a Student Training Guide provided by the IRS to learn about preparing income tax returns for low income taxpayers. Each student also receives IRS and State publications with detailed information about income tax law. In addition, each income tax return prepared by a student volunteer is reviewed.
Service options:Whatservice options exist to ensure that no student is required to participate in a service placement that creates a religious, political, or moral conflict? / Volunteer work is performed on campus on Saturdays. Additional sessions are available on evenings during the week for students who cannot perform volunteer work on Saturdays.
Number of service hours required:How many hours of service per semester are students required to perform? Provide detailed description of the service activities to be performed. / Each student must complete ten hours of volunteer tax preparation.
VI. Community Partner Information: Provide information on the organization(s) that will provide service placements for students in this course.
Name of Agency/Organization(s) / Internal Revenue Service
Contact person name(s) / Frances Reichert
Contact person(s) phone and e-mail / (406) 441-1044
VII. Syllabus:Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. The syllabus should clearly indicate that this is a service learning course and it should include the UM Service Learning Definition as text within the syllabus.The syllabus should also demonstrate how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance in preparing a service learning course syllabus, see or contact Andrea Vernon, Director of the Office for Civic Engagement: .
VIII. Copies and Electronic Submission:Submit approved original, and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221,.

The course syllabus is provided on the following pages:
ACTG 432 - Tax Practicum

Spring Semester 2010

The University of Montana - Missoula

Course Description:

This is a service course that provides free tax preparation to low income taxpayers and students, in conjunction with the IRS. Students apply their knowledge of tax law to the preparation and e-filing of income tax returns under the direction of a practicing CPA. This course is graded credit/no credit only.

Course Prerequisites:

ACTG 432 - Junior standing in Business

Instructors:

Kenton D. Swift, PhD, CPA

Associate Professor of Accounting

Office: 319 GBB

Phone: (406) 243-4182

e-mail:

Clem R. Lockman, CPA

Site Coordinator

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

Phone: 546-6571

e-mail:

Course Materials:

  • Student Training Guide, 2009 Publication 4491
  • Volunteer Resource Guide, 2009 Publication 4012
  • Your Income Taxes – 2009 Publication 17
  • Montana Individual Income Tax Form 2 Instruction Booklet

Training and Orientation:

All preparers are required to attend a training and orientation session that provides the basic procedures in preparing a VITA tax return, instruction and hands-on use of the tax software used to prepare the returns, and information on Montana tax preparation, prior to preparing VITA tax returns. If students are unable to attend one of the scheduled trainings, arrangements can be made to receive the training information at a different time. Please contact the site coordinator or teacher assistants to make arrangements.

Training Schedule:

Date:Time:Location

Saturday, January 238:00 AM until 12:00PMGBB 119

Saturday, January 2312:30 PM until 4:30PMGBB 119

Sunday, January 248:00 AM until 12:00PMGBB 119

Sunday, January 2412:30 PM until 4:30PMGBB 119

Course Grading:

  • Student must successfully complete the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Exams provided in the Student Training Guide
  • Student must attend one of four training sessions
  • Students must complete ten hours of volunteer tax preparation
  • Students must participate in a group session to discuss how the VITA program benefits the community. This will include a discussion of the need for a free tax preparation service, the kinds of people that take advantage of the service, and the circumstance which cause people in the community to need free tax advice.

Volunteer Schedule:

On campus:

Date:Time:Location:

Saturday, February 69:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Saturday, February 139:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Saturday, February 209:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Saturday, February 279:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Saturday, March 69:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Saturday, March 139:00 AM until 4:00 PMGBB 119

Depending on requests from local Not-for-Profit agencies, there may be on-site tax preparation opportunities on additional Saturdays, Sundays, and evening during the week. These sessions allow students, unable to participate on the scheduled Saturdays, to complete their required hours. Please contact the site coordinator or teacher assistants if you feel you may not be able to complete your hour requirement during the scheduled times.

School of Business Administration and Accounting Program

Mission Statements and Learning Goals

School of Business Mission Statement

The University of Montana’s School of Business Administration is a collegial learning community dedicated to the teaching, exploration, and application of the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Undergraduate Accounting Program Mission Statement

The undergraduate accounting program is committed to preparing students to apply accounting and business knowledge in organizations.

Undergraduate Accounting Program Assessment and Assurance of Learning Goals

As part of our assessment process and assurance-of-learning standards, the School of Business Administration has adopted five learning goals for all undergraduate students, and the accounting program has adopted four additional learning goals for accounting majors.

SoBA graduates will:

  1. Possess fundamental business knowledge and integrated business knowledge.
  2. Be effective communicators.
  3. Possess problem solving skills.
  4. Have an ethical awareness.
  5. Be proficient users of technological skills.

Accounting majors will:

1)Possess fundamental accounting knowledge

2)Be effective communicators

3)Critically analyze and solve problems, using technology where appropriate

4)Understand the importance of ethics to the accounting profession and demonstrate ethical decision making

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) Mission Statement

The University of Montana-Missoula Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) will provide free, basic tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. Volunteers are our most valuable resource. To establish the greatest degree of public trust, Volunteers have a responsibility to provide high quality service and uphold the highest of ethical standards.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students in this course will:

  • Learn how to apply their knowledge of tax law in preparing income tax returns
  • Become familiar with income tax preparation software and e-filing of tax returns

Expectations of Students

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class meetings and assigned volunteer sessions, and arrive on a timely basis.

Student Conduct: The University of Montana Student Conduct Code, embodying the ideals of academic honesty, integrity, human rights, and responsible citizenship, governs student conduct in this course.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities will receive reasonable modifications in this course. Your responsibilities are to request them from me with sufficient advance notice, and to be prepared to provide verification of disability and its impact from Disability Services. Please speak with me after class or during my office hours to discuss the details. For more information, visit the Disability Services for Students website at