ADCaP Procedures for requesting an Independent Study

Independent study is offered at the option of the university to serve a specific, pressing need. Before beginning an independent study course we want to make it clear that the burden of performance rests on you, the student, and should not be undertaken lightly. Also note, a student participating in an Independent Study course may not request a grade of Incomplete at the end of the eight-week term.

Because there are no formal lectures or class meetings, the student is entirely responsible for reading and preparing all assignments; researching and writing all papers; and preparing for and passing all quizzes and tests... all in the eight-week time frame defined by the instructor. In each three semester-hour course a student may expect to spend in excess of 8 - 10 hours per week on reading, homework, and teacher contact time. The student and instructor share responsibility for regularly scheduled meetings to review student progress and provide focused academic guidance.

To request an Independent Study:

Student contacts their advisor with specific rationale as to why an independent study is needed/warranted. If the advisor thinks the rationale merits consideration, the Request for Independent Study Form is issued to the student (this does not indicate an approval).

Do not contact an instructor before your advisor. Instructors are not authorized to discuss an independent Study with a student prior to advisor approval. The Dean will appoint an instructor for an independent study – students must not solicit an independent study from an instructor and instructors must not offer or suggest an independent study to students. If either occurs, the IS will be denied.

Student submits the Independent Study Request Form to their advisor no later than Thursday of the fourth week of the term prior to the start of the intended Independent Study course.

• Request must include an attached one or two paragraph justification. The justification must be specific. Just stating, “course needed for graduation” is not sufficient. Must explain why the course cannot be completed by normal scheduled classes or in another UIW program.
• Request should not include instructor or proposed study plan - that follows only after advisor approval.

The advisor reviews the reques to insure all policy requirements of the Undergraduate Bulletin are met (these are outlines at the top of the form), reviews student file and degree plan, and determines if student justification merits an exception to taking a normal scheduled course.

If advisor recommends approval the advisor signs the form and forwards the form to the Dean for final approval. The instructor is assigned by the Dean who will then provide a proposed study plan and sign the form.

The form is returned to the advisor and the student is registered for the course. The student will receive a letter from the advisor indicating they are regisered for the course and detailing the parameters above.

Notes: - if either advisor or Dean does not approve the student request, a short written justification for the disapproval is written on the form and the yellow copy is placed in the student file and the pink copy is returned to the student.