Service Learning Agreements (SLA)

What Is Service Learning?

Service Learning combines academic coursework with hands-on experience for students through partnerships with off-campus or on-campus organizations, businesses, non-profits, federal/state/local public agencies, and university related institutions. These opportunities help students build their resumes, explore career paths, and apply classroom concepts in real-world settings.

A Service-Learning Agreement (SLA) is required for students who participate in a university-sponsored service learning activities. A university-sponsored activity is one that is officially approved, organized, or endorsed by SDSU—typically tied to academic credit, course requirements, or university programs, and conducted under the direction of university personnel. SLAs ensure adherence to a scope of work designed in collaboration between the University and the outside organization, proper insurance coverage, and liability protection. Once executed, an SLA remains valid for five years.

Service Learning Agreement Requirements and Process

Step 1 - Check the SLA Master List
  • Review the SL AMaster List
  • Open the file to search to see if an SLA already exists for the intended partner agency.
  • If an SLA is active and covers your department, no further action is needed.
Step 2 - Determine if an Amendment is Needed
  • If an SLA exists but may need changes (e.g., add a department or new learning site), contact: [email protected]
  • They will confirm if an amendment or a new SLA is necessary.

Step 3 - Initiate a New SLA (If Required

If no active SLA exists:
  1. Send the Internship Site Questionnaire (ISQ) to the proposed agency partner.
  2. The partner completes the ISQ to confirm site suitability.
    • includes questions about students, safety, supervision, and HIPAA compliance.
Step 4 - Route the SLA Form
  1. Navigate to Adobe Sign
  2. Select Start from Library
  3. Select Workflows
  4. Select from the list:
    1. SDSU - Service Learning Agreement (for Non-SDSU third parties)
    2. SDSU - Inter-Departmental Service-Learning Agreement (for SDSU programs)
    3. SDSU - Service Learning Agreement: Amendment (for additions to current SLA)
  5. Input required email addresses

  6. Select Send

After selecting Send, the form will route to each party and require the party to enter information on the form relevant to the party. 

The SDSU Procure-to-Pay Team must be the final signer on the SLA. Once a team member in P2P signs, each party will receive a copy of the completed SLA.

Important Notes
  • No changes may occur to the SLA without prior approval from P2P.
  • Students cannot begin their placements until the SLA is fully executed.
  • SLAs remain valid for five years unless conditions change.
  • Please communicate to the contact at the partner agency that the legal entity name is required, not the doing business as (DBA) name.
  • All Affiliation Agreements must be emailed to [email protected] for review.
  • Completion of  Internship Site Questionnaire (ISQ) (PDF) is required for all SLAs
  • Completion of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) may be required depending on the nature of the service-learning activity.
If there is a specific question regarding the process or an SLA, please contact [email protected].