Independent Studies

What is an independent study?

Independent Study Agreements are permitted with the provision that the instructor and student must meet on a regular and continuing basis for the number of consultations listed in the Agreement. Independent Study Agreements may be arranged as part of an approved study tour, but only if the tour meets the standards of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, which mandates the continuing presence of a faculty member on every study tour.

How do I register for an independent study?

If you would like to set up an Independent Study, please reach out to your faculty advisor for or department chair for direction. The Office of the Registrar will be happy to assist the department with setting up the Independent Study, enabling you to register for the course in Banner.

The following policies govern Independent Studies.

1. Independent Studies are courses in which the student does specific work as outlined in the official form, and occurs outside of the classroom setting.

2. The Independent Study requires approval of the instructor and the Dean of the School through which the Independent Study is being offered.

3. The Independent Study should be created only when a needed class is not available for a particular quarter. Students should not attend a class being offered and use that as part of the Independent Study credit.

4. The earned credit guidelines are established as follows:

   1. One (1) credit: Three (3) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum of three (3) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

   2. Two (2) credits: Six (6) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum of five (5) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

   3. Three (3) credits: Nine (9) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum of six (6) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

   4. Five (5) credits: Fifteen (15) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum of eight (8) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

   5. Ten (10) credits: Thirty (30) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum (10) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

   6. Fifteen (15) credits: Forty-five (45) hours of designed individual study per week of 10 weeks, with a minimum of ten (10) consultations per quarter with the instructor.

5. Each Independent Study must have a specific title of no more than 27 characters and a specific instructor assigned.

6. Expectations: If the student is taking an Independent Study that is equivalent to another course then the Independent study’s discipline and the title will be the same as the equivalent course that is listed in the University Catalog (EXAMPLE: LAT 1101). The student can only take this type of independent study if the course is not being offered a particular quarter, and the student must have that class.

7. The course number for Independent Study will be 4900 (undergraduate), 5900 (continuing education), 6900 (graduate), or 7900 (doctoral). (SEE EXCEPTIONS IN #6)

8. The Independent Study must be created by the department in CourseLeaf and made available for the student to register in Banner by the tenth day of the quarter (or the special summer session date as specified in the Summer Calendar). When an Independent Study is undertaken as part of an approved study tour, the student must register before the beginning of the tour.

9. For credit-bearing Independent Studies conducted outside of the United States, students must apply through SPU Study Aboard. Contact studyabroad@spu.edu or visit www.studyabroad.spu.edu.