An Independent Study consists of an academic project that involves guided academic reading and research. Independent Study cannot be used for field experiences, such as an internship or a co-op. Credits for field or work experience in some organizational, institutional, or professional context must be internship credits (usually UMass 298Y), not COMM 396: Independent Study.
The conception and proposal for the Independent Study originates with you and should be an outgrowth and development of the concepts, theories, or practices you have encountered in Communication courses.
Each three-credit Independent Study should be similar to any "regular" three-credit course in terms of workload and assignments. In all cases, the Independent Study will result in a formal written component (one or more "research papers") that could conceivably be evaluated by someone other than the faculty sponsor. Other materials, such as video or audio tapes, films, portfolios, etc., may be submitted as parts of the Independent Study. You and your sponsor will determine the specific items that you will hand in for evaluation, and they must be specified in your proposal.
Only three credits of COMM 396: Independent Study can be counted toward the 36-credit Communication major requirements. COMM 396 credits in excess of three will be treated as elective credits only.
Procedure for Proposing an Independent Study
1) Develop a formal, written proposal with your faculty sponsor. The proposal must include a title, and separate, numbered sections for each of the following six elements: (1) a statement of the purpose/goals of the project, (2) a description of the subject matter, (3) an explanation of its relevance to your interests and/or major area of study, (4) a description of your proposed research methodology, (5) a preliminary working bibliography and (6) information on the form and length of the final report. View three samples of successful Independent Study proposals.
2) Fill out and have your faculty sponsor sign a "Cover Sheet for Independent Study Proposal" form (available from Machmer 417). Please be sure to specify on this form the number of credits that you wish to earn. The maximum (and typical) number of credits for a semester-long Independent Study is three. One- and two-credit Independent Studies are also possible, with proportionally less work.
3) Submit the proposal and "Cover Sheet" with faculty signature to the Undergraduate Studies Office, 417 Machmer, at least five working days before the end of registration. If your proposal is accepted, the Undergraduate Studies Office will register you for COMM 396. The Communication Undergraduate Studies Director or Chief Undergraduate Advisor may ask you to revise the proposal if it fails to follow the guidelines set forth on this page.
Proposals submitted fewer than five days before the end of Registration will not be accepted.
