Independent Study

An Independent study allows you to pursue an area of special interest on your own, outside the  classroom. Independent studies are good for extending learning from a class, working intensively  with a mentor on an extended project, acquiring practical experience and for fulfilling something  specific for your graduate and/or professional goals. Independent studies can also be created to earn credit for learning from travel opportunities, new projects at work, and seminars/trainings or  other experiences offered in the community. Independent studies encompass many forms,  including solo research, solo creative work, internships, service learning and community activism.

Senior Synthesis projects also fall under the umbrella of independent studies.  

Independent studies are designed in the quarter prior to the one in which you plan to register for it.  The first step is to talk with your faculty advisor about your ideas and to solicit their help in  brainstorming possible learning outcomes, avenues and resources. 

A key aspect of designing an independent study is to find a qualified person on your learning focus,  to serve as your sponsor/guide and evaluate your learning—either from within the University or  drawn from the community at large. Evaluators are expected to have a master’s degree. Though it is your responsibility as student to find an evaluator who is academically qualified to  assess your work, your faculty advisor is available to help you think about where to find one (and  may even be able to recommend names of specific people). It is your faculty advisor’s responsibility  to approve the qualifications of independent study evaluators. A résumé is required for any  evaluator who is not currently a faculty member at Antioch. Evaluators not otherwise under  contract at Antioch are paid a $125 honorarium per credit hour to work with you and write an  assessment at the end of your study. 

To enroll for an independent study, you need to complete an Independent Study Registration  Contract Form—which ultimately needs to be approved/signed off on by yourself, your evaluator, your faculty advisor, and the Undergraduate Chair (who submits the form to the registrar). The  contract will spell out your overall learning intentions, specific learning objectives, activities,  timeline, resources, and means of demonstration, and specify the number of credits. Independent  studies may range from 1-6 credits, with approximately 30 learning hours being the rule of thumb  for each credit (so for example, a 3 credit IS would entail around 90 learning hours). 

While there is no formal limit on the number of independent studies, neither is it guaranteed that  you will be able to undertake a limitless number of them (they are costly to the program). For  example, they are not meant to take the place of a class we offer. Generally, it is expected that you  will be taking a mix of some classes along with independent studies. Occasionally there is a good  reason for a student to do only independent studies for a term; for example, if you are traveling or  living elsewhere independent studies could be an excellent way to take advantage of learning  opportunities on the road. If you are thinking of planning quite a few independent studies in your plan  of study, please check with your advisor and the Program Chair. You may be asked to write up a  plan with a rationale. 

To learn more about independent studies contact your advisor and/or check out the Resources and Form Cabinent sections of this site, where you will find forms, evaluator guidelines  and sample learning contracts.