Independent Study
Independent studies are individualized, directed studies taken without classroom instruction or regular interaction with a faculty member. The student is required to plan with the professor an individualized schedule of reading, research and study. Assignments, papers, tests and other means of assessment may be completed by appointment, mail, e-mail, remote proctors, internet, etc.
Students and faculty alike are encouraged to schedule independent studies during the summer session when the calendar and personal schedules of students and faculty are more flexible. The shortened academic calendar makes independent studies impractical for the January interterm. During the fall and spring semesters, independent studies are considered exceptions due to faculty workload limitations, but may be approved under certain circumstances, such as:
- To complete a graduation requirement without which the student's graduation would be unreasonably delayed. (A student's desire to graduate in less than four years, to double-major, add a minor, etc., does not meet this requirement.)
- To resolve scheduling conflicts beyond the student's control involving required courses which cannot be taken in a later semester or summer term without negative impacts on the student's program of study.
- To provide a scheduling efficiency or convenience to the University, such as offering the independent study as an alternative to a low-enrollment class section, deviating from regular course offering schedules, etc.
- To offer both the student and supervising faculty member the opportunity to expand their Taylor experiences with special/advanced topic courses that may serve special needs such as specific career goals, graduate school prerequisites, etc. An additional independent study fee may be assessed by the Academic Dean for these requests.
No student who is on academic probation may register for an independent study unless it is to repeat a course. No student may complete more than 12 hours of independent study. The total maximum of independent study and distance learning is 16 hours.
Tuition for independent studies completed during the summer is at the standard summer session credit hour rate. Financial aid is not applied to summer registration.
All other academic policies apply to independent studies (i.e. criteria for requesting incomplete grades, registration directives, deadlines for registration etc). Registration for an independent study requires completion of the Independent Study Registration Form and must be approved by the academic advisor, instructor and department chair before submission to the Office of the Registrar.
