Registration for independent study is limited to juniors and seniors who have taken introductory courses in the subject in question, have identified a faculty mentor who will oversee the project, and have obtained faculty approval.

No more than 30 degree credits are awarded for out-of-class work, such as independent study, cooperative education courses, research, and approved SAS internship courses. In those uncommon cases where credit may have been awarded for life experiences, these credits are viewed as out-of-class work. Students wishing to register for more than 8 credits of independent study in any one term must have the approval of an academic dean.