Independent Study

Students are allowed up to 9 credits of independent study courses in the CCR program or in other departments. Independent studies will count toward elective credits for the degree. Normally, independent studies are undertaken when students have research interests and intellectual projects that cannot be accommodated within the usual cycle of required, core, or elective courses.

To launch an independent study, the student will seek a faculty advisor with knowledge or interest in the student's proposed topic to sponsor the independent study. While many faculty are usually willing to sponsor independent studies, students should keep in mind that independent studies are done on top of the faculty's regular research, teaching, administration, and service loads and no extra compensation is granted. Therefore, it's a good idea to make sure your study topic is squarely within the faculty advisor's area of expertise or in an area they themselves are invested in doing additional reading within. In consultation with the faculty advisor, the student will establish the course reading list (where appropriate) and the intellectual project or projects to be completed within the time frame of the independent study. Once the student and faculty advisor have agreed upon the plan for the independent study, the student should submit the following to the Graduate Director and the Graduate Committee:

• The College of Arts and Sciences Independent Study Form with the sponsoring faculty advisor's signature.
• A one page addendum with a brief rationale (1-2 paragraphs) for the independent study, a reading list if appropriate, and a brief description (1 paragraph) of the intellectual projects that will be completed.
• The student/faculty advisor should indicate the number of credits being proposed.

Barring unusual circumstances, the independent study forms should be submitted by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which the student and faculty member plan to start the independent study. After the Graduate Committee reviews the proposal and the Director of Graduate Studies and the Department Chair provide their signatures, the student should register for the appropriate course number. For independent studies in CCR, the course number is CCR 690.