Independent Studies
The independent study credits offered through the Public Health Sciences Program are intended to provide students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Public Health faculty member to complete an in-depth examination of topics related to the field of public health.
Earning academic credit for a public health independent study
Students may apply to earn academic credit for a public health independent study by completing the application process described below. If approved, students will be enrolled in the appropriate public health independent study course (PUBHLTH 396R or PUBHLTH 396T) for the approved number of credits.
Students may apply a maximum of nine internship or independent study credits towards their coursework requirements for the Public Health Sciences major. Up to three of these credits may be counted toward the Public Health elective requirements, and up to six of these credits may be applied toward the Public Health Focus Area.
Eligibility criteria
- Independent study credits may not be earned for paid positions.
- Students must arrange to work with a faculty supervisor affiliated with one of the public health programs in SPHHS (i.e., Biostatistics, Community Health Education, Environmental Health Science, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management). Graduate students may not serve as faculty supervisors.
- Students must have earned a minimum of 45 credits by the independent study start date. In-progress credits are not counted towards this requirement.
- Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Students may not earn academic credit for an independent study during a semester in which they are carrying a credit overload.
- Students may not earn independent study credit for work already completed; academic independent study credit is not awarded retroactively.
- Students must complete and submit the appropriate application form from the options described below. These forms are open for submissions during class registration periods, and close after add/drop ends.
Independent Study Credit Application Guidelines
- Credit Application Deadline:
The appropriate credit application must be submitted by the last day of the add/drop period for the semester or term in which you are seeking credits. - In-Progress Proposals:
If your independent study plan is still being finalized, you must still submit a working draft of your proposal by the add/drop deadline. - Late Submissions:
If you miss the deadline, you must email the Public Health Sciences Program Director, Dr. Sofija Zagarins (zagarins [at] umass [dot] edu), to request a late submission. Late submissions are only allowed once per student.
The Public Health Sciences major offers two types of independent study credit:
PUBHLTH 396R: Guided Independent Research in Public Health
PUBHLTH 396R independent study credits are intended for students engaging in guided independent research under the supervision of a public health faculty member. To earn PUBHLTH 396R credit, students work with their faculty supervisor to develop a proposal describing the learning objectives for their independent research project, as well as a description of how these objectives will be fulfilled by the student and evaluated by the faculty supervisor.
This proposal is submitted with the PUBHLTH 396R independent study application form. This application form is open for submissions during class registration periods, and closes after add/drop ends.
Proposals and applications are reviewed by the faculty supervisor and by the Public Health Sciences Program Director, Dr. Sofija Zagarins. If approved, students will be enrolled in the in the approved number of PUBHLTH 396R credits.
PUBHLTH 396T: Public Health Course Assistant
PUBHLTH 396T credits are intended for students working with a faculty member as an Undergraduate Course Assistant (UCA) for a Public Health Sciences course. UCAs attend class sessions, assist with development and administration of course materials and activities, and support student learning and engagement. By participating in these activities, UCAs develop communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills in addition to strengthening their own understanding of course content.
The PUBHLTH 396T independent study application form must be completed to receive credit. This application form is open for submissions during class registration periods, and closes after add/drop ends.
Applications are reviewed by the faculty supervisor and by the Public Health Sciences Program Director, Dr. Sofija Zagarins. If approved, students will be enrolled in the in the approved number of PUBHLTH 396T credits.
When should I find an independent study?
You can complete an independent study during the regular semester or over the summer. However, there are some important logistics to take into account:
- Independent study credits earned during the school year are covered by your regular tuition.
- Independent studies credits earned over the summer must be paid for separately, through University Without Walls (UWW). Financial aid may be possible. Check with the Financial Aid Office.
- If you are not earning academic credit for an independent study, you can sign up for the independent study on your own. Even if you do not receive academic credit, it will strengthen your resume and understanding of the field.
- Independent studies are not eligible to be paid positions.
For some students, paying for the credits over the summer makes their class schedule more feasible (lighter credit load). It is good to think about the different options and what works best for your learning style.
How do I find a supervisor for my independent study?
You are responsible for finding your own supervisor. If you do not have a particular faculty member in mind, start by researching professor’s bios to see if they are currently doing research that aligns with your interests. Once you find a professor who appears to be a good fit for your interests, contact them to inquire if they have any research opportunities available or if they would be willing to supervise your research project. Be prepared to give them your resume, and to tell them why you are interested working with them.
You may also try asking your own personal contacts if they know of any opportunities. Local hospitals, social service organizations, and local public health departments are also good places to contact for research opportunities.
How do I get approved to earn independent study credits, and how do I enroll in the credits on SPIRE?
All students seeking public health credit (PUBHLTH 396R or PUBHLTH 396T) for an independent study must complete the appropriate Independent Study Application by the last day of the add/drop period for the semester during which the credits will be earned. Applications are reviewed by the faculty supervisor as well as the Public Health Sciences Program Director, Dr. Sofija Zagarins. If approved, students will be enrolled in the appropriate public health independent study course (PUBHLTH 396R or PUBHLTH 396T) for the approved number of credits.
How many independent study credits can I earn?
Students may earn one to nine independent study credits per semester. However, the norm is three credits per semester, and no more than nine total credits may be used to fulfill requirements in the Public Health Sciences major.
Students may apply a maximum of nine internship or independent study credits towards their coursework requirements for the Public Health Sciences major. Up to three of these credits may be counted toward the Public Health elective requirements, and up to six of these credits may be applied toward the Public Health Focus Area.
Approval is needed from the Public Health Sciences Program Director to earn over three independent study credits a semester.
How much does it cost to do an independent study over the summer or winter?
Credits during the summer/winter are paid for separately through University Without Walls (UWW). Visit the UWW website for current tuition rates.
What academic assignments are required for independent studies?
The student and their faculty supervisor work together to determine the academic work and due dates associated with the independent study.