Independent Study

Courses in independent study format may be available optionally in programs where courses may not be offered with regularity or where there are unavoidable course conflicts. Independent study courses are offered strictly with the approval of a faculty mentor who will supervise and the Office of Graduate Advising or the Doctoral Program Coordinator. Hours and assignments will follow NY State and School of Education requirements. No more than two independent studies are typically allowed in a degree or certificate program. Exceptions may be made for students in programs with limited offerings or who have very extensive backgrounds in the area of the degree. Doctoral students may complete no more than 6 credits in this format at the college.

Independent studies for graduate students in the SOE require a fixed meeting time with a fixed number of hours as a minimum.  Meeting times and hours are specified on the “Independent Study Contract,” which is completed by the instructor, signed by the student and the instructor, and approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the SOE.  Independent studies also have specific reading and/or research assignments, which are set and reviewed by the instructor, each of which requires a minimum number of hours.  All independent studies require a final “product,” often a lengthy paper or a final exam.