Special Study Programs
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Special Study Programs

Directed Study

Defined as the study of a prescribed course content in which the student, usually due to schedule conflict, is unable to attend the scheduled class session.

  1. A student interested in a Directed Study should initially consult with his/her academic advisor.
  2. Introductory courses and courses offered every semester are not available as a Directed Study except by special permission of the Dean of the School in which the course is offered.
  3. Students may register for Directed Study (limited by the availability and willingness of the faculty to supervise such study) during any regular registration period in the academic calendar (a semester, an EDP session, summer terms).
  4. Students may register for a maximum of four (4) courses by Directed Study, with only one (1) Directed Study being undertaken in any registration period. Any exceptions must be by special permission of the Dean of the School in which the course is offered.
  5. The faculty member who normally teaches the course will be the director-tutor. The original syllabus of the course will be followed.
  6. The minimum student contact with the instructor will be five (5) hours per semester hour credit.
  7. A Directed Study must be approved by the chair of the department in which the student is doing the study, the chair of the student’s major department, the director-tutor, and the Dean of the School in which the course is offered.

Independent Study

Independent Study is defined as the combined study, research, learning, and reporting that is done independently by a student on an agreed upon topic with a professor who will be the student’s supervisor and resource person. In Independent Study the student must delineate the topic, the direction(s), the depth to be explored, the various ramifications and limits, and the method and amount of reporting; and these factors must be agreed upon by all parties concerned (including the Dean of the School in which the course is offered) before the study is officially approved. The Independent Study must be approved by the chair of the department in which the student is doing the study and by the chair of the student’s major department. A particular Independent Study shall last for only one semester, and any extension of time may be granted upon the consensus of the two chairs, the supervising professor, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. The grade (Pass/Fail or letter grade) to be received for an Independent Study shall be decided prior to the formal beginning of the work. The grade is awarded by the supervising professor.

Guidelines

  1. A faculty member may direct a maximum of three independent studies (including Individualized Major Program students) in addition to normal teaching load. Any exceptions must be approved by the Dean of the School in which the course is offered, Any reduction or exception of a faculty member’s normal teaching load must be approved by the Dean of the School in which the course is offered prior to these assignments.
  2. Ordinarily, a student may enroll in only one four-hour independent study each semester.
  3. A student may enroll in an independent study only if he has an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
  4. First-term freshmen may not enroll in independent studies.

Guidelines For Application

  1. A particular Independent Study shall last for only one semester and any extension of time may be granted upon the consensus of the faculty supervisor, the department chair, and the Dean of the school/college.
  2. The grade (CR/NC or letter grade) to be received for an Independent Study shall be decided prior to the formal beginning of the work. The grade is awarded by the supervising professor.
  3. Normally, this program is recommended for Senior level students but is also available to other students who have shown exceptional academic maturity. First-term students may not enroll in an Independent Study.
  4. Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average to enroll in an Independent Study.
  5. Students may register for a maximum of four (4) Independent Studies with only one (1) Independent Study being undertaken in any registration period.
  6. An Independent Study must be taught by a full-time faculty member.
  7. The course will not be entered on the student’s record until the Office of Student Accounts has received tuition payment.
  8. All final projects must be turned into the department to be saved for at least three years.

Download Independent Study Application