Directed Study Application

1.   If a course is a required component of a student’s program and the student has a valid reason for not being able to take it when offered, the student may apply to take the course by directed study, but only during a semester when the course is not offered on campus. It should be noted that certain courses do not lend themselves to directed study format (e.g., some lab sciences).

2.   A directed study course must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified member of full-time faculty (or part-time faculty only with the permission of the faculty chair) and must have the approval of the dean. Faculty agreement to direct the course does not constitute directed study approval. Final approval is given by the Office of the Registrar.

3.   Directed study courses will usually be available only to students who have completed 57 semester hours or more toward their degree. Students should have an above-average academic record (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or above), be well-disciplined, and be motivated.

4.   Students are allowed a maximum total of 12 semester hours of directed study coursework in their degree program.

5.   Students may take only one directed study course per semester, except during the Summer semester.

1. If a course is a required component of a student’s program and the student has a valid reason for not being able to take it when offered, the student may apply to take the course by directed study, but only during a semester when the course is not offered on campus. It should be noted that certain courses do not lend themselves to directed study format (e.g., some lab sciences).
2. A directed study course must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified member of full-time faculty (or part-time faculty only with the permission of the program director) and must have the approval of the program director. Faculty agreement to direct the course does not constitute directed study approval. Final approval is given by the Office of the Registrar.
3. Students are allowed a maximum total of 12 semester hours of directed study coursework in their degree program.
4. Students may take only one directed study course per semester, except during the Summer semester.

·         Complete applications should be submitted to the instructor at least a week prior to the first day of class to allow sufficient time for the professor, faculty administration, and the Office of the Registrar to process the application.

·         Applications submitted to the Office of the Registrar (regardless of starting the course or not) are subject to a $75 administrative fee if the course is dropped or student no longer wishes to pursue the directed study. Once enrolled, the typical course change deadlines and fee refund schedule apply.

1.   STUDENTS who want to take a directed study course must:

a.   Request a directed study from the instructor. Instructors are not obliged to agree to conduct a directed study.

b.   Select the correct (UG or GR) application form from linked to this article on the lower right-hand side and complete SECTION A of the application.

c.    Submit the application form to the instructor.

2.   The INSTRUCTOR, after having agreed to conduct the directed study, will:

a.   Complete SECTION B on the application.

b.   Create an individualized course syllabus for the directed study.

c.    Forward the application and syllabus to the dean (UG) or program director (GR) for processing.

3.   The DEAN/PROGRAM DIRECTOR will:

a.   Review the application to ensure completion.

b.   Review the rationale to ensure validity.

c.    Review the student’s transcripts to verify that their GPA is at a 3.0 or higher, and that the student does not exceed the maximum allowable direct study credit hours.

d.   Complete SECTION C of the application and submit all forms to the Office of the Registrar via the Service Hub.

4.   The OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR will:

a.   Review the application, and if approved, will notify the department via the Service Hub and enroll the student.

b.   Once enrolled, the course will appear in your Course Registration page on the Student Portal.

·         The student is responsible to see that all work, including exams, if any, is completed by the last day of exams (UG) or last day of the semester (GR) during the Fall and Spring semesters, and by August 31 during the Summer semester. The only exception to this deadline is documented evidence of severe extenuating circumstances beyond your control.

·         The student must be prepared to put in the extra time and effort that a directed study course requires. Since the contact time with the professor is substantially less than that of a regular course, directed studies demand initiative and self-discipline.

·         The student should keep the syllabus for future reference, should the student need to transfer this course to another educational institution.

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