Independent Study and Special Studies Courses

Graduate students may apply to complete up to two independent studies as part of their graduate program. Independent studies are intended to allow a student to learn more in-depth about a particular topic with faculty oversight. The independent study must explicitly integrate academic content with specific learning outcomes that includes a graded written deliverable. The minimum length of time for an independent study is 12 weeks. Independent studies are independent inquiries into an area of academic interest. Independent studies are not a substitute for required courses or courses offered on a regular basis. They can be utilized as an elective for a course that is not regularly offered as long as the independent study proposal meets the academic criteria and is approved through the normal approval process.

Independent studies will not be approved for work that the student is already doing. For example, work completed as part of a certification program or work that is part of a job is not an independent study. The independent study may have minimal overlap with work responsibilities, but it must not be part of an assigned work project. 

In order to participate in an independent study, graduate students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. Graduate students must have prior approval from the department chair, the Associate Dean and the Director of Graduate Business Programs for all independent studies.