Independent Study and Field Experience
Information for Students and Faculty
The following points should be noted when students and faculty plan to work together on an individual academic project.
- Three parties participate in arranging and authorizing course work bearing independent study or field experience credit: the student, the supervising faculty member, and a Lee Honors College Advisor. All three must agree upon the specifics of the project before the student will be enrolled in the course for credit.
- Ordinarily, independent study and field experience projects should be in areas where both the student and the supervising faculty have the appropriate expertise. Neither an independent study or field experience is to be considered a substitute for introductory or general education course requirements, or to fulfill more than one upper level honors requirement.
- Independent study or field experience is not a substitute way to acquire the content of a regularly offered course. Enrollment in regular courses is the expected way of obtaining university credit. Students seeking credit for previously acquired subject matter, which is routinely available in regular courses, should explore the University’s arrangements for Credit by Examination.
- A detailed outline of the content, readings, paper requirements, instructional assistance, methods of examination, and frequency of contact with the instructor must accompany a request to enroll in independent study or field experience. The supervising faculty is to outline his/her grading criteria to the student prior to the student enrolling in the chosen course.
- If the student elects to do an independent study, it is to be based on topic other than that which will be addressed in the honors thesis, whether the thesis is done for credit or not for credit.
Agreement Form for Independent Study or Field Experience
Students interested in participating in an independent study or field experience must complete the Lee Honors College 
Agreement Form for Independent Study or Field Experience.
Students completing the agreement form will fully outline their program of study. Include course requirements such as readings, written work to be done, role of the instructor, method to be used to examine and grade the student’s work, how often the student and supervising instructor will meet, and any other information relevant to the project.
Once the completed form is received in our office, our advisors will register you for the course. Please contact an LHC advisor with any questions.
LHC Credit for Departmental Independent Study/Field Experience
The honors college is now offering honors college credit if you do an independent study or field experience through your department. This replaces the HNRS 3990: Field Experience or HNRS 4950: Independent Study. However, you must get permission from the honors college to have this count by filling out the Request to Use a Departmental Independent Study or Field Experience for LHC credit form.
This form must be submitted no later than the drop/add deadline for the semester in which the credit is requested. No requests will be accepted after that date.
Off-Campus Supervisor's Evaluation of Student's Field Experience
Off-Campus supervisors who are evaluating a student's field experience should use the Lee Honors College Supervisor's Evaluation for Student's Field Experience form.
