Directed Studies
Directed Studies Application Form (PDF 102kb)
Courses Objectives
The purpose of Directed Studies courses is to make it possible to work
with a faculty member on a reading or a research project of mutual interest. To qualify
for a Directed Studies course, students must have taken all regular courses offered by the
Psychology Department that cover relevant background material (e.g., for a Directed
Studies course on the attribution process in Asian as compared to Anglo Saxon cultures, a
student would need to have successfully completed at least PSYC 260-3, 361-3 and 461-4.) Directed
Studies courses may not duplicate material covered in other Psychology courses.
Some reasons for a student to take Directed Studies courses are:
- To continue a reading or research project begun in a 400 level seminar.
- To develop or assess potential research interests,
- To gain additional knowledge and practical experience in designing, conducting,
analyzing, and documenting psychological research.
Circumstances where a Directed Studies course is not warranted:
- Student is unable to register for a regular course offering and therefore wishes to take
the course under the guise of a Directed Studies Course.
- Student has not successfully completed all regular courses that cover the relevant
background material.
Faculty Obligations
Although students may become involved in data collection, coding, and
data analyses of faculty members' research in the context of Directed Studies and Research
courses, faculty must ensure that the courses are devoted to advancing students'
knowledge. Students must not be used as unpaid research assistants.
Course Requirements
The student must perform a sufficient amount of work to justify the
credit hours in the course, which is normally a minimum of three hours per week for each
credit hour. The student is also expected to meet with the instructor on a regular basis
(i.e., weekly or biweekly meetings). In addition, the student is required to submit a
substantial written report on material covered in the course (i.e., essay, literature
review, annotated bibliography, research report).
Application Procedure
The minimum entry requirements are a B (3.0) average and at least 60
accumulated credits. Students may not register themselves for a Directed Studies
course. The student must complete a Directed
Studies and
Research application form in consultation with the intended instructor and submit
it to the Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee (UGSC) for approval
before the end of the
first week of classes. The course proposal must specify all requirements for
the course (reading list, assignments, basis on which the grade will be assigned).
Before approving
the course, the Chair of the UGSC will ensure that the course meets standards
he or she believes are acceptable in the department. Disagreement between instructors
and the Chair
of the UGSC will be resolved by the Chair of the Psychology Department. Students
and faculty are advised to make their arrangements for the course well in advance.
The
Psychology Undergraduate Advisor will register the student in the course when
both the
instructor and the Chair of the UGSC have approved the application.
Credit Limits – PSYC 493-3, 494-3, 495-3
PSYC minors are limited to 3 credit hours (i.e., 1 DS course), PSYC
majors are limited to 6 credit hours (2 DS courses) and PSYC honors are limited to 9
credit hours (3 DS courses). Students may take only 3 credit hours of Directed Studies
with any individual faculty member. All credit is applicable toward fulfilling the degree
requirements.
