Opportunities for Undergraduates

Independent Study

An independent study is a learning experience that allows a student the opportunity for self-directed learning relating to an area of academic and/or professional interest. The independent study will involve, in a broad sense, critical analysis and application or development of theories and concepts relating to the area of inquiry chosen by the student. Although the student may engage in creative projects or field research, such endeavors must be accompanied by academic approaches and written assignments.

To qualify for an independent study, the students must be matriculated in the Department of Human Development, the independent study must be related to the educational goals of the student and the student should have sufficient background to undertake the independent study and learn from the experience.

To apply for an independent study, the student must submit a completed Independent Study Cover Sheet and an acceptable proposal to a faculty member with experience related to the area in which the independent study will be performed. Preparation of the proposal requires thought and consideration, so planning should begin well before the registration period for the semester in which the internship will be performed. A student can register for an independent study only after the proposal has been approved by the faculty sponsor.Registration for independent study must be done in the Human Development Department Office, UDC-407. Students cannot register online for HDEV 597.

All MASS independent study proposals should be filed no later than the middle of the second week of class. No proposals will be considered after the deadline for adding courses has passed.

A copy of the student's cover sheet and proposal will be placed in his or her academic file.

Independent study is graded with either normal grading option or satisfactory/unsatisfactory. The grading option is determined at the discretion of the faculty sponsor.

 

Independent study can be taken for one to four credits. As a general guideline, a four-credit independent study will require a written assignment(s) of at least 20 pages.

 

An independent study cannot be undertaken if a course is available or offered in the intended area of study.

Faculty Sponsor
The faculty sponsor can be any full- or part-time faculty currently appointed in the Department of Human Development in CCPA. He or she is responsible for supervising the independent study, approving the independent study proposal, ensuring that it is implemented properly and for submitting the final grade to the Registrar's Office.

The faculty sponsor will be available for regular contact with the student during the independent study.

Proposal

The Independent Study Cover Sheet must be accompanied by a typed proposal which addresses the following:

• What are the learning objectives for the independent study specific to the student's educational goals statement and plan of study?
• What is the student's academic/experiential preparation for undertaking the independent study?
• What activities will be undertaken during this independent study and how will they be supervised?
• What is the written component of the independent study to be? Written work may include creative projects, research or field work accompanied by scholarly written assignments. As a general guideline, a minimum of 20 written pages will be submitted for four credit-hours.