College of Technology
Independent Study Guidelines Ph.D. in Technology
The independent study is designed to allow students to acquire knowledge and skills along with outcomes
that support the student’s scholarly agenda consistent with their dissertation research. The independent
study should address content and experiences that cannot be accomplished within the purview of existing
and available coursework.
The student working on an independent study must be capable of working with minimal supervision; be
self-motivated and responsible enough to assume the primary responsibility for the learning activity.
It is the student’s responsibility to:
1. Work with their faculty supervisor or dissertation chair to identify the topic, problem, or project to
be studies/developed.
2. Adhere to scheduled periodic meetings with the dissertation chair/faculty supervisor.
3. Complete the project within the scheduled time. The underlying assumption of the student’s degree
of prior preparation and ability would mandate that the activity should be completed on schedule.
4. Use a copy of the approved proposal to guide all independent study guidelines.
Regulations Affecting Independent Studies
1. A minimum of 9 credit hours towards the Ph.D. program at EMU must be successfully completed
before the student may register for an independent study.
2. No graduate student may earn more than 6 Independent Study credits.
3. Independent Study credits may be used to meet the requirements for the cognate, concentration, or
elective courses.
4. Independent study credit may not be earned, in part or whole, through participation in conventional
course offerings
5. The faculty member supervising the independent study must be a member of the faculty working in
the area of the student’s program concentration or specialization.
Procedure
1. The student must work with their faculty supervisor or dissertation chair to complete the
Independent Study proposal and identify a clear list of outcomes which the study is intended to
address and select from one of the following:
a. COT 877 – 1 credit hour
b. COT 878 – 2 credit hour
c. COT 879 – 3 credit hour
2. The student will complete the final proposal and obtain a signature from their faculty supervisor or
dissertation chair.
3. The dissertation chair approves the study proposal as an appropriate part of the student’s POS
4. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who will be supervising the independent study.
5. A copy of the final approved proposal is signed and approved by the faculty supervisor and the
Dissertation Chair. It then is sent to Amy Homrich and she will obtain the approval of the
program coordinator and enable the student to register for the independent study under the
dissertation chair or other faculty member.
College of Technology
College of Technology Ph.D. in Technology Independent Study Request
Date of Request _____/_____/_____
Student Name _______________________________________________ EID ____________________
Title of Study ________________________________________________________________________
Semester Completing Independent Study - Semester _______________ Year __________
Course Selection Credits (select one)
_____ COT 877 – 1 credit hour
_____ COT 878 – 2 credit hour
_____ COT 879 – 3 credit hour
Other Subject: _____________________ Course: ______________________
________
The independent study proposal developed MUST include the following (attached on a separate page):
1. Purpose, objectives and description of the effort
2. Specific outcomes to be addressed
3. Justification for pursuing each outcome
4. Description of proposed final paper and/or product
5. Description of the methodology to be used
6. A brief timeline for the major steps and outcomes
I have read and agree to the above mentioned guidelines for this requested Independent Study
Student Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: ___/___/___
Approvals
Faculty Supervisor _______________________________________________________ Date: ___/___/___
(if different than chair)
Dissertation Chair: _______________________________________________________ Date: ___/___/___
Ph.D. Program Coordinator ________________________________________________ Date: ___/___/___
Department Use Only:
Prior Independent Study Credits: ___________________________
CRN: _______________________ Date: ______________________________