Independent Study

Under special circumstances, a student may attempt selected courses by independent study to earn credit in a curriculum area. In all cases, the student must be officially enrolled in any course taken by independent study. The student desiring to take a course by independent study must initiate a request with the appropriate instructional director. The director will process each request according to the following conditions:

1. The course must be listed in the course description section of the current college catalog and have been approved for credit by independent study by the Administration.
2. All independent studies must be approved by the instructional director responsible for the program.
3. Since all courses do not lend themselves to independent study, the instructor(s) in a curriculum will present a list of courses available for independent study to the department’s director. These lists will be updated with the revision of each general catalog. Interim additions or deletions will be announced through addenda to the current catalog.
4. Under special circumstances, a student may attempt a course by independent study to earn credit in a curriculum area. The student is expected to complete all requirements of the course. A schedule of instructor-student contacts will be arranged by the instructor at the beginning of the course.
5. Students may register for only one independent study course per semester. No more than ten percent (10%) of the total hours required for graduation in any curriculum may be earned by independent study.
6. A student will not be permitted to take a course by independent study if the college plans to offer that course before the normal time of that student’s graduation unless the scheduled course conflicts with another required course. If the course has been scheduled during the previous semesters of the student’s enrollment, the student must show valid cause why the course was not taken when scheduled.
7. A student may not take a course by independent study if the student has previously failed or withdrawn failing from the course.
8. Independent studies must begin during the drop/add period and must be completed by the end of that semester unless extenuating circumstances, in the opinion of Vice President for Instructional Services, justify an extension. The decision of the Vice President for Instructional Services in such cases will be final.