Independent Study

Independent Study offers the opportunity to extend learning beyond formal courses and to explore intellectual independence. To be eligible for Independent Study, a student should demonstrate qualities necessary for interested and intensive inquiry. The following criteria are among those used to decide a student’s eligibility:

• The student must be in academic good standing (i.e. a 2.0 GPA) and must have been enrolled as a full-time student during the preceding quarter.
• The title and outline of the Independent Study project must be agreed on by the student, the instructor and the chair of the department.
• Independent Study may not replace a regular course offered by a department.
• At least 1 quarter hour of credit is required for Independent Study, and a maximum of 10 quarter hours can be applied toward degree requirements, except for students in the Honors Program. Ordinarily, 5 quarter hours of Independent Study may be taken in any quarter.

For students majoring in business, eligibility for Independent Study is based on the following criteria:

• junior standing
• full-time course work in the preceding quarter
• completion of at least 45 quarter hours at the University
• a minimum 2.4 GPA

The Independent Study project must be considered upper division and must be completed and a grade assigned at the end of the quarter in which the project is undertaken.

Undergraduate students must obtain an Independent Study form from the Office of the Registrar in University Hall, garden level. Students must obtain registrar approval (signature) at the time the form is picked up from the Office of the Registrar. Additional signatures must be obtained as stipulated on the form before registering for Independent Study.

Completed Independent Study forms must be turned into the registration desk in University Hall to complete registration. Students may not register for Independent Study using Web registration. Independent Study does not substitute for regular courses.