Between classes, jobs, family and friends, some students have problems getting the number of required credit hours. For many students, independent study is an option that fills their needs.
According to Kathy Carroll, assistant director for Publications and Instructional Support for the Independent Study program, independent study provides a way for students to earn college credits on their own schedule.
Students have a variety of reasons for choosing independent study.
“Most are enrolled in a degree program and need a course to fulfill their requirements,” Carroll said.
Some students need prerequisites, general education courses or a certain numbers of hours to maintain their TOPS scholarship.
Students have nine months to complete a course. In addition, students may receive two three-month extensions, making the total time allowed to complete a course 15 months.
Each independent study course is composed of a series of lessons. Lessons usually include an introduction to the course, reading assignments and lesson assignments.
“You’ve got to turn in a written assignment for every single point in the course,” Carroll said.
Assignments can include multiple choice questions, essays, projects or Web-based assignments.
Independent study courses also usually involve a midterm and final exam, which must be completed in a proctored setting.
Students must receive approval from the dean of their college before enrolling in an independent study course.
“Most colleges have restrictions on the number of independent study courses a student can take,” Carroll said.
Currently, more than 150 independent study courses are offered. Some of the more popular classes include geology, geography, English, foreign languages, mathematics and history.
Kim Higdon, a secondary education senior, enrolled in a French independent study course because of time restraints. Higdon said the program has both positive and negative aspects.
“Independent study is very relaxed, because you have a longer time to complete the course,” Higdon said. “But it also requires a lot of discipline, and it can be easy to get behind.”
Carroll said independent study can be a challenge to students, mostly because work for the courses can be time-consuming if not managed properly.
“The nature of the course is different from a face-to-face course,” Carroll said. The emphasis in independent study courses is on reading and writing.
Higdon suggests balancing the number of independent study hours to get the most out of the experience.
“If people schedule the right blend, it gives them the capability of earning credit hours,” she said.