Policies Regarding Independent Study

Students interested in pursuing a course of study not offered within the standard curriculum may undertake an independent study. Independent studies may be credit or non-credit bearing. Where a faculty member agrees to work with an individual student in a reading course (or equivalent project) for academic credit, approval must be obtained from the Department Chair before the faculty member is committed to this supervision. All such courses will be assigned the department number of either 497 or 498 and will be listed as Independent Study, plus descriptive title of content (e.g., PHI 497: Independent Study, Problems in Mythology).

Students may pursue independent, non-credit work with the permission and under the direction of the major department. Such studies are usually undertaken as a vehicle for honors work in the Senior Capstone Experience. Successful completion of a non-credit independent study project is acknowledged on the student's permanent record.