Directed Independent Study

Within the English Department, the number of credits of Directed Independent Study courses that a student may count toward their major is limited. 

Undergraduate students are limited to no more than 10 credits across ENG 300 and ENG 400 Directed Independent Study courses. Graduate students are limited to 5 credits of an ENG 500 Directed Independent Study.

Directed Independent Study courses must provide opportunities beyond existing English coursework. Therefore, Directed Independent Study will not be approved for credit in the following cases:

1. to replace core courses in existing English Department programs;
2. to replace courses offered during the quarter in which the independent study is taken;
3. to replace writing intensive courses; and
4. to replace workshop courses designed to encourage student responses to writing.

A Directed Independent Study must be approved no later than week 1 of the quarter in which the study will be performed. For this reason, please meet with a faculty member and complete the steps to propose your Directed Independent Study 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the following quarter.

Directed Independent Study credits will not be granted for projects or internships completed in the past.

Directed Independent Study courses will generally not be approved for Summer Session.

For a list of English faculty who can assist with Directed Independent Study, please email english@wwu.edu or visit the English Department front desk (HU 329) while classes are in session. 

Identify a faculty member who is willing to work with you on a Directed Independent Study. If you already have a relationship with a faculty member, you can ask them if they are available to assist you. If you would like to request a list of potential faculty who can assist with Directed Independent Study, email english@wwu.edu. 

Meet with the faculty member to develop a plan for your Directed Independent Study. Prior to your meeting, you should already be considering questions like:

• How does this independent study topic build on my studies, current major emphasis (for undergraduates), thesis project (for graduates), or professional development goals?
• Is this independent study similar to other courses offered by the English Department? Independent study that replaces existing English courses will not be approved.
• What texts will I study to gain knowledge in this area? Consider drafting a reading list with the literature, media, critical research, scholarly articles, and/or textbooks in your area of study.

Directed Independent Studies of the undergraduate and graduate level require a written contract and proposal between the the student and faculty member that is comprised of three parts: a standard digital request form, a statement regarding previous independent study courses, and a one-two page outline. It is the student's responsibility to initiate this process in a timely manner, ideally 2-3 weeks before the beginner of the quarter in which the work will be performed.

1: Complete a standard digital request form for Directed Independent Study.

• This form is for undergraduate Directed Independent Study.
• This form is for graduate Directed Independent Study. 

The student completes the form to the best of their ability, attaching documents from step 2 and step 3, and then submits it to their faculty member. To submit, scroll to the bottom of the form, input the faculty member's email address, and click "submit."

2: Attach a statement regarding previous independent study

The student will write a brief statement detailing any previous independent study work performed and attach it to the digital request form. A word document is recommended. 

At the bottom of the digital request form, click "attach" and follow the instructions to attach the document.

3: Attach a short (one-to-two) page outline. 

The student will write an outline of the agreed upon work to be performed as part of the Directed Independent Study. A word document is recommended. The proposal could include the following: 

• List of reading assignments
• List of projects to be completed throughout the quarter
• Description of a final project
• Methods for receiving feedback from the faculty member. 

At the bottom of the digital request form, click "attach" and follow the instructions to attach the document.

If your digital request form is approved by the English Department, you will be emailed instructions from the Registrar's Office. You will be provided with a CRN for your course, and you may need to register for the course to finalize the process. Register by the fifth day of the quarter to avoid late fees.