Independent Study Definitions and Guidelines

Definition: Independent Study is a delivery mode for courses, listed in the Palm Beach State catalog, needed for a student’s progress toward graduation. Typically, the needed course is not offered in the term in which the student wished to graduate, and the student has met all other requirements for graduation

Description: Students arrange independent study courses through a faculty member. A learning contract is developed by the student and faculty member and approved by the associate dean and/or dean. The faculty member will be compensated, and workload assigned per the current Salary Schedule.

Procedure: If a student needs a course for graduation and a scheduling or other conflict necessitates that the student complete the course through independent study, the student can pursue a learning contract.

The learning contract (www.palmbeachstate.edu/Academic-Services/Documents/Independent-Study-Form.doc) will be completed by the student and signed by the faculty member and submitted to the associate dean and/or dean.
The associate dean/dean will complete the associate dean’s/dean portion of the contract: (1) approve or disapprove the course, (2) approve the faculty member’s appointment to the independent study, (3) add any other requirements, (4) sign the contract and forward it to the Registrar’s Office (the student can deliver it).
The Registrar’s staff registers the student in the course.
The student pays the course fee(s).
The student has one semester to complete the course, just like any course offered for a semester.
The associate dean/dean will process the faculty payment for the course.

Enacted July 2005; reviewed July 2010