Independent Study is a vehicle for serving the special needs of the student body, complementing the regular programs of study with added educational and cultural experiences. Qualified students with particular interests may pursue them in greater depth than present courses provide or, in appropriate cases, may pursue honors level studies.
Procedures
- Independent study applications will be completed by the student in consultation with the appropriate faculty member. The student’s signature will indicate that he or she fully understands the description of the material to be studied, the evaluation procedures to be used, the work to be produced, the timeframe allowance, and the credits to be granted. The sponsoring faculty member(s) will sign and date the form and forward it to the appropriate Department representative.
- The Department will review the proposed contract to assure that the study is appropriate to this College, and that the credits to be granted are commensurate with the study involved. The Department will forward the form to the student’s advisor.
- The student’s advisor will review the proposed contract for the purpose of incorporating its content into the student’s program.If the independent study contract is a substitution for a required course, the appropriate substitution form will be completed by the advisor and attached to the proposed contract for action by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The fact that it isa substitution will be entered on the application by the advisor.
- The Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the application and provide final administrative action on the contract. A lab fee may be charged as deemed necessary by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If, subsequent to approval, a change in any items on the contract proposal is required, such change will require approval in the same manner as the original contract application. To effect a change, a new application will be processed with the change noted and the reason for the change specifically noted on the application. No change is in effect until final review and approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- The application becomes a formal contract only when all qualifications are met. Those qualifications are student load, payment of fees and tuition, and registration of the contract by the Registrar. Registration must be complete by the end of add/drop period.