• Learn material not covered in an existing course.
  
• Utilize research techniques in novel ways.
  
• Work closely with a faculty member whose interests match yours or whose work you especially admire.
• Develop learning opportunities associated with an internship, service-learning, study abroad, or other kind of field experience.

The structure of a Directed Study
The directed study/research project is a contract between you, the faculty member, and the faculty member's department. You must negotiate the details with the faculty member, who should know what departmental policies apply.

You will need to fill out a Student/faculty contract (a 3-copy NCR form), which is available in CCLC and in many department offices. (You can print out a copy of the form to prepare a rough draft.) That form must be signed by you, the faculty member, and someone representing the faculty member's department. Registration and credit information is the same for all individualized registration options.

Developing a Directed Study Project
Developing an effective directed study project takes time and effort. Work towards defining your learning objectives as clearly as possible. Your faculty member can assist you, but it will help if you have already put considerable thought into the nature of the project.

CCLC is the advising office for Directed Study and other alternative credit registration options. Discussing your project with a CCLC advisor can help you clarify your learning objectives, assist with identifying project topics related to those objectives, and help you prepare sufficiently to approach a faculty member. In some instances, we may be able to assist you in identifying appropriate faculty. CCLC's goal to assist both students and faculty members in making Directed Study a rewarding and productive experience.

Directed Study Projects Based on Internships or Community Service
While the College of Liberal Arts does not grant credit for experience alone, an academic project may be designed around a field learning experience, such as an internship or community service project. Your field work will serve as one of the resources used to achieve the learning objectives of your Directed Study project. It is best to familiarize yourself with your internship or community service project before designing a Directed Study proposal. You will need to understand your day-to-day activities and responsibilities before you will be able to fit them into your project proposal. You will have to think clearly about what your internship can help you learn and then find ways to relate that learning to some appropriate discipline-based theories, topics or themes.

Finding and Working One-on-One with a Faculty Member
You will be putting in a considerable amount of time on this project; establishing a good working rapport with a faculty member is key to making this rewarding and valuable.

Finding a Faculty Member
This can be challenging. Demands on faculty time are great and in some cases departmental policies place limits on the time a faculty member can spend directing individual projects like this. In many cases, you have to "sell" your project idea to the faculty member. This is most likely to be successful if it is a faculty member you know already (particularly if your project grows out of material you have studied in a course offered by that person) or if it is a faculty member in your major (in which case it is possible that your background and ideas will convince the faculty member that you are serious enough to warrant his/her time).

It is not impossible to approach a faculty member "cold," but this is the most challenging situation. You will have to convince him/her that you are highly motivated, capable of working independently, and already have some sophistication about the area of your project. Never approach a faculty member with the simple statement that you need extra credits. Approach them with a worked-out proposal that focuses on the learning you seek that is not represented in the available curriculum. Make sure it matches the interest area of the faculty member (departmental advisors and administrative staff can be helpful; information in departmental publications and web sites also can help).

Keep in mind that this is a voluntary activity on the part of faculty. Approach them well prepared and with due regard for their time.

The Initial Meeting
Be prepared. Identify and write down your objectives beforehand. You cannot have everything fully prepared; after all, you want the help of the faculty member. You should, however, have a focused idea mapped out when you make your first approach. Prepare a rough draft of the Student/faculty contract to use as a guideline.

If the faculty member you approach is unable to help you, don't take it personally. Most professors have a heavy load of classes, research and administrative responsibilities. If you are turned down, be sure to ask for the names of other professors who might be able to help you.

Periodic Meetings with Faculty
Once you and the faculty member have agreed on what you are going to do, work out procedures for reporting back periodically. Regular meetings will keep you working at a steady pace. As your project progresses, modifications may be necessary and you will need faculty permission. An established meeting schedule will facilitate this. Working with faculty on an individual basis is a unique experience at the undergraduate level; take full advantage of it.