UWW Faculty Guide
The Role of the Independent Study Crediting Faculty in UMass UWW
The main responsibility of the crediting faculty for independent learning contractsis to help the student develop an independent study, practicum, or internship and to guide the UWW student during the course of the contracted learning. We recommend that the student sign up for an independent study course through the designated department whenever possible. If circumstances prevent it, then the student may enroll under a UWW independent study or internship number.
If a faculty member agrees to sponsor an independent study, then the UWW student will draft a learning contract to be reviewed by the faculty member. This contract will outline the learning activities, resources to be used, appropriate credit and course level, and means of evaluation. When the final contract is prepared that reflects the independent study work agreement, both the faculty member and the student must sign it. The faculty member, the student, and the UWW advisor will all retain a copy of the contract.
In the case of an internship in an organization in which the UWW student would be supervised by a member of that organization, then the student will arrange for the on-site supervisor to send the faculty member an evaluation of his or her work to be taken into consideration as grading is done. If the independent study or contract is in a faculty member's department, then the grade would be submitted through the usual mechanisms within that department. If, however, it is under a UWW course number, then the grade would be submitted to the UWW Associate Director, Victoria Dowling ( vdowling@uww.umass.edu; (413) 545-3865), who will enter it on SPIRE.
(Total estimated time: 3-5 hours during the semester of the project)
