Special Studies 49 allows students to complete an independent academic research project under instructor and department supervision. The course counts as elective credit in the department offering it.
Who Is Eligible?
Students should have:
- Completed at least one semester of college work.
- Taken at least one course in the department where the independent study will take place.
- Earned at least a 2.0 (C) GPA in that department or field.
- Not be on academic probation.
Before You Apply
You must first develop your own project idea and find an instructor willing to supervise it. The project should relate to their area of expertise.
Your written proposal should explain:
- What you plan to study.
- The scope and content of the project.
- At least three learning objectives.
- How you will complete the project.
- How your work will be evaluated and graded.
Helpful questions to answer:
- What do you plan to achieve?
- How will you accomplish it?
- When will each part be completed?
- How will your work be evaluated?
Application Steps
- Obtain a Special Studies 49 application from the sponsoring instructor.
- Complete the form with your instructor.
Deadlines
Applications should be submitted at least one week before the deadline to add classes to allow time for revisions and approvals.
Course Expectations
Students meet regularly with their instructor throughout the semester.
The instructor may require:
- Exams, including a final exam
- Research papers
- Presentations
- Other assignments related to the project
Unit Limits
- A maximum of 6 units of Special Studies 49 may count toward an AA degree or the 60-unit transfer requirement.
- 3 units per semester is considered a reasonable workload.
- Enrolling in more than 18 total units in a semester requires an approved petition.