/Institutions/Rockingham-Community-College/json/Current/Catalog-and-Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Rockingham-Community-College/json/Current/Catalog-and-Student-Handbook.json

Independent Study

On infrequent occasions, selected courses may be available for independent study. Independent Study may be used to meet the academic needs of students who are unable to schedule classes needed to fulfill academic program requirements for graduation. An Independent Study is a last resort to assist students in meeting program requirements.

Independent Study Procedure

A student requesting to take a course by independent study must complete the Request for Independent Study form and have it approved by the Department Chair/Program Director and Division Dean prior to registration. Because of the requirements accompanying the approval process, students are cautioned to begin the procedure well in advance of registration.

The request to enroll in a course by independent study may be approved when the following conditions are met:

• The student has a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• The student has completed more than 50% of required semester hours in an academic program at RCC and is on pace to graduate within one year.
• The student has not taken more than two independent study courses.

The following steps must be completed for a student to request an Independent Study:

1. Consult with the appropriate Division Dean to discuss the need for taking a course through Independent Study and verify that the student will not exceed the limit of two independent study courses.
2. Complete Part A of the Independent Study Request Form and submit to the appropriate Division Dean.
   The Division Dean will evaluate the request with the appropriate Department Chair/Program Director and complete Part B of the Independent Study Request Form. If the request is approved, the Division Dean will request a comprehensive course syllabus and semester outline that describes the required work and assessment from the designated faculty member. If the request is denied, the Division Dean will notify the student in writing.
3. The designated faculty member will meet with the student to establish the terms of the contract, review the course syllabus, review the semester outline, and complete the Independent Study Contract. The Division Dean will forward the documents to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for final approval.
4. Vice President for Academic Affairs will submit the documentation to the Program Accountability Specialist (credit) to create the course section and the documentation is forwarded to the Records Office to register the student.
5. The student must be registered for the course by the final date for adding classes, as is required for all courses.