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Columbia
College Chicago
Directed Studies Policy
[Adopted
by College Council and approved by the President, for Independent
Projects beginning
in the Spring 2006 term, with adjustments for
administrative procedures incorporated below.]
Description
Directed Studies are learning activities involving student independence within the context of regular guidance and direction from a faculty advisor. Directed Studies are appropriate for students who wish to explore a subject beyond what is possible in regular courses, or for students who wish to engage in a subject or activity not otherwise offered that semester by the College. Directed Studies involve close collaboration with a faculty advisor who will assist in development and design of the project, oversee its progress, evaluate the final results, and submit a grade.
Eligibility and Requirements
Students may apply up to 16 credits of Directed Studies and/or Independent Projects, toward graduation.
Students will devote a minimum of three hours of work per week for each credit hour awarded for the Directed Study (45 clock hours per semester per credit awarded; thus, a 3-credit course will entail an average of nine hours per week over 15 weeks).
Tuition will be charged at standard rates based on the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled.
A Directed Study Cover Sheet form (available online) must be completed and attached to your proposal. The cover sheet must be signed by a faculty advisor and the department chair prior to registration.
Proposal
Describe the Independent Project. Your written proposal for the Independent Project should address the following:
Learning objectives: What will you have learned as a result of the project? How should your project be evaluated?
Activities and processes in which you will engage.
Final product(s) such as a final paper, a business plan, an art work, a composition or performance, that will result from the project.
Any material, equipment, or other resources you will require.
Any other specifications or criteria set by your faculty advisor for completion of the project.
Process
You, the student, must secure agreement with a faculty member to serve as your advisor. You may ask a particular faculty member yourself, or consult with the Department Chair for recommendations. Faculty members may, or may not, agree to act as your advisor at their own discretion. There is no guarantee that you will be able to secure an advisor.
In consultation with your faculty advisor, complete the Directed Study Cover Sheet online form, and attach your proposal. See the online form for details.
Submit your completed cover sheet, with proposal attached, to your faculty advisor for review, approval and signature. Leave a copy of the proposal with your faculty advisor, and submit the cover sheet with proposal attached to the department chair, or chair designee, for review and endorsement with signature.
Once your Directed Study is endorsed by the chair, a section record indicating the course number, the chosen title, and your faculty advisor will be created in the department’s course schedule. The proposal will go to the Dean's Office for approval, where your credit hours will be assigned and your registration will be completed. You will be notified via email if for any reason your proposal is not approved, or if the number of credit hours requested has been reduced.
Failure to meet the project objectives and requirements in the agreed upon time frame will result in a failing grade for the Directed Study.
