Roanoke College will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Independent study (PSYC 311, 312, 313) is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to conduct an extensive literature review. The work is carried out independently, with guidance from a faculty mentor. PSYC 311 and 313 are ½-credit courses to spread the work across two semesters; PSYC 312 is a one-credit course.
Independent Study is strongly recommended for students who plan to attend graduate school in any of the research areas of psychology. Admission criteria for M.A. and Ph.D. programs often include research experience, and one's likelihood of acceptance into a competitive program is enhanced by having a record of research participation.
To participate in Independent Study, a student must have an overall GPA and a Psychology GPA of at least 3.0, unless special permission is granted by the Psychology faculty. To enroll in an Independent Study, a student must complete a written proposal and the Application for Research in the Department by the first Wednesday of the semester. Note, that your research mentor may require an earlier deadline. If approved by the Department, the Department Chair will contact the registrar's office and register you for the course.