SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

INDEPENDENT STUDY REGISTRATION

Download the Independent Study Registration Form [pdf]

Planning Ahead

• Conduct preliminary research on potential topics, as outlines, bibliographies, and/or research questions are required to register.
• Students are responsible for finding a faculty supervisor. Network with faculty to determine their availability and relevance to the research topic (some faculty prefer to be consulted one semester prior to the semester you plan to register for the course).
• ID, IP, and IPCR students are required to follow SRP program guidelines (obtain information from your advisor or division office)

Course Numbers

• SIS-590 Independent Reading - reading with minimal faculty instruction
• SIS-690 Independent Study Project - topical research with faculty guidance
• SIS-794 SRP with coursework - see Important Information below
• SIS-795 Substantial Research Paper (SRP) - major MA research requirement
• SIS-797 Masters Thesis - more formally structured and rigorous than SRP (consult with your advisor if you are interested in this option)

Registration Requirements

• Create a unique title to appear on your transcript (30 characters max, including spaces)
• Credits - Up to 3 credits may be used to fulfill elective credits in a program when registered for an Independent Study or Reading course; 3 or 6 credits (1 or 2 SRPs) may be used to fulfill the SRP requirement; Thesis registrations require 6 credits
• Splitting Credits - registration for one course may be split among multiple semesters (ex. a 3 credit course = 2 Fall credits and 1 Spring credit)
• Grade Options - Independent Study and Independent Reading courses may be taken P/F or A/F, requiring that a minimum of Pass or "C" be earned to fulfill program requirements; SRPs require A/F grading with a minimum requirement of a "B" grade; Master's theses require P/F grading
• Complete all spaces on the Independent Study Registration Form and the SIS Independent Study Preregistration Information form, sign the form, and have your SRP supervisor sign (you do not need to obtain the Dept/Dean signature) and submit all required attachments (incomplete forms will delay the registration process)
• Return the completed forms to your advisor as soon as possible.  If you are only registering for the independent project, the registration paperwork is due by the Friday before classes begin (for Fall 2008, this is August 22).  A student registered on or prior to August 22, 2008 has until September 11 to submit independent study paperwork
• If your project will involve human subject research, you may be required to receive approval from American University's Institutional Review Board (IRB). If you have questions, you can visit Prof. Chuck Call's website for more information. Prof. Call is the SIS contact person for all IRB matters
• If you will be conducting some or all of your independent project oversees, you will need to complete additional paperwork and receive a Graduate Global Practicum orientation.

Important Information

• Coursework must be completed during the semester(s) registered, unless an In Progress (IP) grade is approved by the faculty supervisor
• An SRP with coursework requires fulfilling all regular course requirements plus an additional research component (typically one submits an SRP instead of a standard final paper).  There are several benefits to the SRP with coursework (especially as an alternative to a standard second SRP) in that it enables a student to get the benefit of an additional course, to have a more structured SRP process, and it effectively lets students take an additional course. SRP with coursework must be completed with the instructor of the course.
• As outlined in the Academic Integrity Code, previous research may be used towards current expanded research in an independent course, however this must be approved by both the faculty supervisor of your previous work, and your new faculty supervisor for your course.