Graduate Independent Study & Directed Research

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Earn academic credit while conducting individual studies: an independent study or research directed by College of Information Science faculty.

Independent Study

  • An Independent Study is an extended exploration of a topic under supervision of a  full-time College of Information Science faculty member
  • Students and faculty should follow the University of Arizona guidelines for individual studies
  • Credit is based off of hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours (45 hours per 1 unit of credit)

Graduate Student Requirements

Graduate students engaged in study under the supervision of a full-time faculty member that is not Directed Research will register for Independent Study 599 or 699.

  • Independent Studies are discouraged for most graduate students as they should be taking Directed Research (see below).
  • Independent studies are not advised for students with a GPA of less than 3.5.
  • To register for independent study credit, all master’s students are required to have completed 12 units, MLIS students are required to have completed LIS 506, and MSIS students are required to have completed INFO 507
  • Doctoral students require the approval of their committee chair in addition to the regular approval process.

Directed Research

  • Complete individual or small group research under the guidance of a full-time College of Information Science faculty member
  • Students and faculty should follow the University of Arizona guidelines for individual studies
  • Credit is based off of hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours (45 hours per 1 unit of credit)

Graduate Students Requirements

Master of Arts in Library and Information Science requirements:

  • LIS693: Completion of 12 units
  • LIS698: Completion of 18 units including the completion of all core courses

Master of Science in Information requirements:

  • INFO692 (Directed Research): Completion of 12 units is recommended, but not required
  • INFO693 (Internship): Completion of 12 units is recommended, but not required
  • INFO698 (Capstone): Recommended to be taken in the final semester

Apply for Independent Study or Directed Research Credit

Have a Directed Research or Independent Study supervisor? Apply for academic credit!

You can complete the Individual Studies application online through University of Arizona Handshake. No paper forms involved!

  1. Sign in to U of A Handshake to start your application
     
  2. In "Career Center" choose "Experiences" from the drop-down menu
     
  3. Select "Submit an Experience"
    • MA and MS Students: select University of Arizona College of Information Science MLIS (LIS or INFO 692, 699)
    • MA Internship or Capstone Students only: University of Arizona College of Information Science MLIS Graduate Internship or Capstone Internship (LIS 693 or 698)
       
  4. In the form, provide the email information for your Site Supervisor (person supervising your work).
     
  5. You will be enrolled in the individual studies course (Students cannot enroll themselves).

Please be aware the application for credit is not instantaneous; pay attention to application deadlines and alert your site supervisor of the need for approval. Not all requests for credit are granted.

Earn Individual Studies (Independent Study or Directed Research) Credit

  • Pay University of Arizona course tuition and check your UAccess schedule for enrollment accuracy.
  • Your site supervisor will need to follow university guidelines for individual studies.
  • Credit is based on hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours.