Independent Study is a special course, not listed in the regular curriculum, in which the student designs a project and then pursues it under the guidance of a faculty member who serves as a consultant for the student during the course of the study. The faculty member who will direct the student’s work, the chairperson and the Dean’s Office must approve the Independent Study. Anyone wishing to pursue an Independent Study must be a degree candidate at Appalachian or working toward teacher certification.
Guidelines
| No more than six semester hours of Independent Study may be used in an undergraduate degree program and no more than three semester hours in a minor. |
| An undergraduate student may take no more than four semester hours of Independent Study in one term. |
| A faculty member should direct no more than two different Independent Studies in any one term. |
Note: These guidelines define policy in ordinary circumstances, although the department chairperson may make exceptions in cases of hardship or for some other extraordinary cause.
Approval Process
| The student will meet with the faculty member who serves as the director of an Independent Study |
| If the faculty member agrees to supervise the Independent Study project, the Independent Study Form and Special Course Form must be completed. These forms will be presented to the department chairperson. |
| If the department chairperson approves, they will determine, in consultation with the faculty member, the number of semester hour credits for the project and sign the Special Course Form authorizing registration for the Independent Study. |
| This packet of information must then be sent to the Dean's Office for approval. |
| Once approved by the Dean's Office, the student will submit the Special Course Form to the Registrar's Office for registration. |