Directed research and independent study

Developing research competencies including designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating research is a high priority for FSoS graduate students. Over the course of your graduate program, we encourage you to invest your required 7 credits*** of directed research credits strategically with different faculty members to learn different methodologies, consider different theoretical perspectives, and master different bodies of knowledge. The required 3 outreach & engagement credits can be taken as either directed research or independent study, depending on the nature of the project. A contract is required for both types of credits.

1. Discuss potential projects with a faculty mentor who must agree to supervise your work during the semester.

2. Write a detailed contract that describes your project, outlines learning objectives, the learning activities in which you will engage to meet the learning objectives, the number of hours and timeline proposed for project completion, the product or outcome that will be evaluated for a grade, and how the A-F grade will be determined.

3. Submit your Directed Research Contract or Independent Study Contract

4. After your faculty supervisor approves the contract, the GPC or DGS will give it a final review.

5. You will be issued a permission number that will allow you to register for the credits.

Note:  Per University guidelines, 1 credit = 3 hours of time invested in learning each week throughout the 15 weeks of the semester (3 credits = 9 hours per week = 135 hours per semester). 

*** Students may take 2 of the 7 required credits with faculty outside FSoS. Directed Research contract (including the statement outlining the work requirements, expectations, etc.), either from the outside faculty member’s department or the FSoS Contract for Directed Research, must be completed and signed by the supervisor and submitted to the GPC.