PS-03.A.17 - Directed Studies

3.2.1 The student must be in good academic standing (see Grading System Policy, PS 03.A.04).

3.2.2 The student must have instructor approval and complete required forms prior to enrolling in the course.

3.2.3 The student must have the approval of both the department and the dean to enroll in the course. The academic department of the course or the college may have additional prerequisites or requirements for enrollment in a directed studies course.

4.1.1 Directed studies courses require consultation and collaboration between a student and faculty member that exceed that of structured courses in the curriculum. Well in advance of registration, the student develops an idea for a topic for independent study or communicates the need for a directed course of study and consults with an appropriate faculty member to lead the course. If the faculty member and student agree on the advisability of such a course and on the mandatory elements of the course (e.g. requirements, meeting times, grading, a culminating project, report, or other artifact), the student obtains the directed studies request form (see Exhibit A) from the appropriate department office.

4.1.2 The faculty member and student complete a syllabus that includes a detailed project/course outline and sign the form. The syllabus must be attached to the request form. When applicable, the outline must include the title of the project, description of the project, list of course materials and/or books, meeting times, methods of evaluation, and specific assignments which the student must complete.

4.1.3 The form and attached syllabus must each clearly describe the features of the course decided upon in Sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.

4.1.4 The instructor of record of the directed studies course secures the approval of the appropriate department chair and the office of the dean, each of whom reviews the proposed course syllabus and signs the form. For programs that do not have a department chair, the student will secure approval from the program director of the program in which that course is housed.

4.1.5 The office of the dean retains the request form and attached syllabus. They then send a copy to the department chair (or program director), the faculty member, and the student.

4.1.6 The department chair or program director enables student registration for the directed studies course, and the student registers for the course using regular registration procedures.

4.1.7 At the conclusion of the directed studies course, the faculty member collects the project, report, or other culminating artifact and assigns the grade.

4.1.8 For courses that require a research project or other product, a copy of the culminating artifact is sent to the department chair or program director and is kept by the faculty member in the LMS course shell (or otherwise as necessary) for one year.