Semester Study Plans

Study plans are developed during each residency and completed with Faculty Advisors before the beginning of each semester rotation. Study plans include five monthly deliverables per semester (June – October + December – April. These deliverables are evaluated and discussed during five Student/Faculty Advisor meetings over each semester. Deliverables are the required credit bearing submissions

During Residency faculty advisors are assigned, students will meet in both group and individual conferences with their advisors to plan semester work and set up a semester study plan. Students will prepare a Semester Study Plan in consultation with their faculty advisor during each residency. The Semester Study Plan is a formal document that solidifies the individual work embarked upon for the six-month semester and negotiates communication methods and deadlines. The semester study is completed away from campus with frequent and thorough dialogue between students and their faculty advisors.

The primary focus of the semester project will be each student’s creative work, as well as a calendar of deliverables appropriate to the semester project(s). The student will submit work to the faculty advisor every four weeks, respond to criticism and suggestions, and submit revisions of the material as needed. Following each monthly interaction, the faculty advisor will provide a brief summary of that month’s interactions and guidance. At the faculty advisor’s discretion, submission schedules and work methods may be modified somewhat to suit individual needs in special circumstances. Monthly communication and work submission must remain the standard. Semester projects require a minimum investment by the student of 25 hours per week and a minimum of five documented monthly exchanges between students and faculty advisors. The semester project plans are on file with the program office.

The faculty advisor is the primary resource for the semester project. However, students are encouraged to become involved with scholarly local and professional activities that can enrich and support their semester projects. While these activities do not substitute for work with the faculty advisor, they do evidence increased experience and commitment to the practice.

Students are not permitted to use employment and/or internship opportunities for semester work but are instead asked to direct their semester work towards an individual, sustained process of creative inquiry.