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04:06:00

INDEPENDENT STUDY

 

I.        Policy

Registration in a course on an independent study basis will be limited by these factors:

A.     Need: Generally only courses that are not offered in the regular class schedule and are required for graduation within one term may be considered for independent studies.

B.     Kind of course: Courses with laboratories are generally not suitable for independent study.  Courses with adequate study guides and well-written texts and resource books are most suitable.

C.     Availability of instructor: Independent study is a time-consuming method of instruction.

1.       Faculty load of .25 of a one credit hour for two or three credit hour courses (.33 for four credits and .41 of five credits) will be assigned for each student.  Payment will be per the Extra Compensation Pellissippi State Policy No. 06:05:00.  The faculty member with the concurrence of the Academic Department Dean may choose to use the credit for regular load assignments in the academic year received in lieu of extra compensation.

2.       All requests for workload credit due to independent study must be approved by the Academic Department Dean.  Appropriate student registration must occur prior to the end of the registration period.

Students who can prove to the satisfaction of faculty that they are capable of independently mastering the content of a course may be eligible to complete a course on an independent study basis.

Permission to pursue independent study must be granted by both the student's instructor and course Department Dean.

1.       No independent study credit will be given for students on regular class rolls.  All such students will be registered in a separate section that is appropriately labeled.

2.       No independent study payment will be awarded for the summer term.

The current maintenance fee per credit hour (non-refundable) shall be paid to the Business Office.  Out-of-state and international students must also pay the current tuition per credit hour (non-refundable).  The total student maintenance fee and tuition cannot exceed the current published maximum for one semester.  Students are given one semester to complete a course taken as independent study.

Examinations will be given by the faculty member as the student progresses through the assigned material.  It is the student's responsibility to meet with the faculty member to provide progress reports and to arrange examinations throughout the semester to complete the course material. 

If the independent study course is passed, the student is awarded full course credit.  If the course is failed, the student may not subsequently request another independent study of that course.  Grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F, W, or I are assigned to courses pursued on this basis.

II.     Procedures

A.     Student requests permission from course Department Dean for independent study course.

B.     The course Department Dean and instructor confer to determine approval.

C.     If approved, the course Department Dean adds a section 99 and lab Z (if appropriate) to the course term file.

D.     Student submits registration form or drop/add form to Admissions or Records for processing.

E.      Student pays required fees, if any.


 

Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Editorial Changes, April 20, 1993
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, September 9, 1997
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 25, 1998
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 9, 2001

Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, December 12, 2005

Editorial Changes, July 2008