There are numerous methods for students to explore their disciplines, interests, and the workplace and, in many cases, earn academic credit for the experience.
Career Study Off-Campus (CSOC)
- Allows students to shadow professionals and work in offices and on-site locations to learn more about the environment and how their liberal arts degree will apply to potential professions.
- Students must be a sophomore, junior or senior during the term of the CSOC and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Often scheduled in January and Summer terms, but available for any term with proper permission and preparation.
- Students can seek more information about CSOCs from Career Services.
- Students complete the process described on the CSOC website and attain permissions.
- Students are enrolled in CSOC 290 for the term the work will be completed.
Independent Study Off-Campus (NSOC)
- Allows students to complete independent research or academic projects related to a student’s major or minor completed off-campus.
- Must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA and Junior or Senior standing when the work will be completed.
- Often scheduled in January and Summer terms, but available for any term with proper permission and preparation.
- Students can seek more information about completing an independent study off-campus with a faculty member for the related major/minor.
- Students complete the Student Proposal for Directed or Independent Study or Honors Project form ensuring that the proposal includes a discussion of why it is essential to complete the work off-campus and appropriate signatures of approval.
- Students are then enrolled in the 492-course for the department/program.
On-Campus Independent Study
- Offers a similar opportunity as an NSOC, only completed on-campus.
- The same conditions and proposal process applies as with the NSOC excluding the justification for off-campus work.
- Students are then enrolled in the 490-course for the department/program.
Directed Study
- Intensive work with a faculty member one-on-one or in a small group of students to explore a specific topic of interest.
- Students can seek more information about completing a directed study with a faculty member for the related major/minor.
- Students complete the Student Proposal for Directed or Independent Study or Honors Project form and secure the appropriate signatures of approval.
- Students are then enrolled in the 260-, 360- or 460-course for the department/program.