V480.02 Special Topics Courses, Independent Study Courses, and Catalog Courses offered outside the published Semester Schedule

Special Topics Courses (x99)

Special Topics Courses are intended to provide an opportunity to offer classes in academic areas not covered in the regular course offerings of the University. These courses are numbered 199, 299, 399, or 499. A special topic course requires the completion and approval of the Special Course Approval form (AA-31).

A course using the x99 number must have a syllabus and documented “seat time” commensurate with the number of credit hours requested. See V441.01 (Credit Hour Policy) for seat time expectations.

A special topics course requires direct instruction by the faculty member and regular class meetings. These credits are included in faculty load/overload.

Catalog Courses offered to an individual or after the semester schedule is published

Use the regular number for a course that is in the course catalog and is being offered out of sequence for a single or several students, or for a course that is being scheduled after the semester schedule is published. Use the Special Course Approval form (AA-31) to set up this course.

This course must have a syllabus and documented “seat time” commensurate with the number of credit hours established for the course. See V441.01 for seat time expectations.

A catalog course requires direct instruction by the faculty member and regular class meetings. These credits are included in faculty load/overload.

Independent Study Courses (x94)

Independent Study courses may be used to further an individual student’s competence in subject matter areas. These courses are numbered 194, 294, 394, 494, and require the completion and approval of the Special Course Approval form (AA-31).

A course using the x94 number must have a statement of the work to be completed and a careful review of the estimated time of study (reading, writing, researching) that matches the credit hours requested. See V441.01 (Credit Hour Policy) for seat time equivalency expectations. The statement of work should be attached to Form AA-31 when it is submitted to the Registrar.

An independent study is overseen by a faculty member but does not require faculty-led instruction. Therefore the credits are not included in faculty load/overload.