Experiential and Directed Reading/ Independent Study Courses

The College distinguishes "Experiential" and "Independent" courses from its other course offerings.

Experiential courses (denoted EXPERIENTIAL in Chapter VI) involve academic work that may take place in a setting other than a university classroom, laboratory, library, or studio and in which the experience is directly related to an academic discipline. Most Experiential Credit is awarded through programs administered by departments and is recorded as credit in one of the departmental Experiential course numbers.

Independent courses may be:

  1. Directed Reading/Independent Study courses (denoted INDEPENDENT in Chapter VI ) which are designated by title and not normally offered by classroom instruction;
  2. courses normally offered through classroom instruction but occasionally taught on an independent study basis;
  3. courses not specially designated as "Independent" and normally offered as classroom instruction but elected by special arrangement with the instructor.

The following limitations apply to Experiential and Directed Reading / Independent Study credit:

  1. A maximum of 15 credits of Experiential courses may be counted toward a degree;
    a maximum of 8 credits may be earned from one project, and
    only one Experiential project may be elected each term.
  2. A combined total of 30 credits of Experiential and Directed Reading/Independent Study courses may be counted in the 120 credits required for a degree.
  3. Experiential and Independent Study courses are excluded from area distribution plans.