Independent Study provides the student with the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a specific topic or issue of interest that might not otherwise be available in a structured course. Independent study courses are typically not available to students until they have completed the foundation curriculum. Independent study courses count toward the degree as would any elective.

Start with the MSW Independent Study Intent Form (due November 1^st for Spring registration and April 1^st for Summer/Fall registration. 

To plan an Independent Study, follow these steps:

1. Contact the faculty member you wish to work with on this course and present your idea(s) for an Independent Study. Discuss what you would like to study and how you propose to approach the learning process. If you and the faculty member are in agreement, you will need to develop a one page proposal which includes the following:

• Statement of purpose – what do you plan to study and why
• Identify the specific learning objectives you will pursue
• List specific texts or other readings you will complete
• Identify the outcome or product – e.g., a formal paper, a research proposal, a data analysis and summary, an annotated bibliography, a journal, a program evaluation report, etc.
• Identify the grading or evaluation criteria for the project (i.e., how will your grade be determined? what percentage will come from the final product, from meetings with the faculty, from other sources?)
• Indicate how often you and the faculty member plan to meet over the course of the Independent Study.

DEADLINES

This process requires planning. You will need time to discuss your work with faculty, time to develop a proposal, and time for review and approval. Independent Study Intent Forms are due on November 1^st for the Spring semester and April 1^st  for Fall and Summer semesters. The deadline for the final proposal is December 15th for Spring, May 1st for Summer and July 15th for Fall.