Independent Study

Students may petition the Dean of Academic Affairs to take an existing course as an independent study course from an individual faculty member provided they meet the following criteria:

  1. The student has applied to graduate and the Registrar can confirm that degree completion is estimated to be within the academic year; and

  2. The course required to complete degree requirements (or an adequate course substitute) is not being offered/scheduled by the University within the academic year in which the student would otherwise complete all degree requirements.

Independent study courses are only permitted based on the criteria above and with the faculty member’s consent. Such courses are normally restricted to full-time faculty during the academic year (August – May). Payment for this type of course is included in the student’s regular full-time tuition provided that the full course load is no more than five courses per semester; otherwise the independent study will be charged as a course at the part-time rate. Generally a student should enroll for no more than one independent study course in a given semester. A petition for an independent study course must be submitted to the Dean of Academic Affairs for approval before the Course Change deadline.