Independent Study

Independent study plays a valuable educational role in the graduate curriculum. The quality and quantity of academic endeavor expected of a student in an independent study course project must be equivalent to expectations in the regular class setting.

For each credit hour of independent study, a minimum of 45 clock hours, in combination with meetings between the instructor and student as well as any supplementary assignments, readings, and/or research conducted by the student, is required. An independent study may not duplicate the content of a regularly offered course.

To enroll in an independent study course:

• The student must prepare a written proposal and submit it to the appropriate faculty member and/or program director. The proposal must include the intent of the independent study course project, including goals, content, and mode of assessment.
• The student must complete the Independent Study/Individualized Instruction Authorization form, provide all documentation, and obtain all required signatures.
• If the independent study course project is approved by the graduate program director and the dean, the registrar will process the form and return a copy to the student.
• Work on the independent study course project should not begin until the approvals are confirmed, the paperwork is processed, and the course appears on the instructor’s class listing in Fish ‘R’ Net.

After the paperwork is processed, the student will carry out the independent study course project, maintaining regular contact with the instructor as the work proceeds.

Note: Requests for independent study courses will be processed in keeping with the relevant registration deadlines. Independent study courses are open only to matriculated students.