Students interested in completing an independent study for academic credit should begin the process by discussing the plan with their advisor and contacting an appropriate full-time faculty member of the Johns Hopkins University to supervise and evaluate the work. With Faculty guidance, the student develops the description, objectives, learning activities, and the method for evaluating work. 

Registration:

Students must register for independent study to receive credit in that semester. A registration form must be completed and submitted with registration materials. A brief description of the project is included in the Independent Study Form. The signature of the faculty supervising the independent study and the student’s advisor are required on the Independent Study form. If the supervising faculty is also the advisor, signature of the Program Director is also required 

Supervision:

The supervisor must be a full-time member of the faculty of Johns Hopkins University. The faculty supervisor evaluates the work of the student and determines grades and credits.   

Independent Study Project:

The subject for an independent study project should fall within the faculty supervisor’s academic discipline or area of specialization. Independent study is viewed as individual activity rather than group activity, although it should not preclude students working together on a common project with separate objectives and specified learning activities.  

Grading:

The method of grading an independent study should be established jointly by the faculty supervisor and student. The decision should be made before the work begins.  

Credit(s):

A maximum of 6 independent study credits can be counted toward the degree. In the PhD Program Independent Study credits may not count toward the required electives.  

In determining credit to be awarded for an independent study, the faculty supervisor should determine the time to be spent by the student on the project as compared with the assignment of credit to align with the JHU Credit Hour Policy