<p>I was speaking with the Dean of Drama at Northern Kentucky University about a week ago, and he was telling me that I would be able to take quite a few independent studies classes if I wanted, which would allow me to work with a specific teacher on learning things past the level the currently teach, specifically Wig and Make-up and Stage Combat classes, which are two skills that I really want to become proficient in. But I was wondering if anyone could give me a little bit of background on what Independent Study classes are like…The way he described it sounded like I was going to get one on one instruction from the specific teacher, but that sounds almost to good to be true. I should tell you that NKU is on my list due to its early audition/admission date, plus my aunt works in the sports department so I have family there. That, and I heard it’s an up and coming program to consider. Thanks!</p>
<p>The specifics of Independent Studies likely vary from school to school. Where I teach students may work with a specific faculty member to create an Independent Study in an area of interest where a regularly scheduled course may not be available.</p>
<p>Independent Studies often require a high level of self motivation… Meaning the student and the faculty member agree on the material that will be covered, but the student has a high level of responsibility for working independently… Hence the name 
… The faculty member agrees to guide, support, and mentor the student. I find Independent Studies similar to graduate level study in the sense that the student has a higher level of responsibility.</p>
<p>Where I teach Independent Studies are usually at the junior and senior level only, once students have met the pre-requisite course work for upper level study. </p>
<p>If this is a school that interests you, I suggest asking what their specific policies and opportunities they have for independent study.</p>
<p>I found as an undergraduate that independent study didn’t really work for me. It was difficult to keep up the level of self-motivation needed to keep working on my own. It sort of defeated the purpose of going to college. Without college, I would just be studying on my own, so why go to college if I had to study on my own anyways?</p>
<p>It made more sense to me to finally locate a college that offered the classes and programs I was interested in, so I could actually meet other people who were interested in the same things I was (one of the other reasons for going to college). Northern Kentucky is trying to get you to enroll there, but they realize they don’t have the range of classes you are looking for, so they say “err, ummm, you can do all that with independent study.” To me, it made more sense to go to a college where they actually have the class I am looking for, so I don’t have to invent it myself.</p>
<p>There are different approaches, however. For example at Columbia College Chicago, there were always many students who were doing Independent Directing Projects, and all of us would meet with our professors at the same time, so it was effectively just like a class.</p>
<p>Karl Paananen</p>
<p>Hi Neverhere–My daughter did a couple of independent study classes at Kenyon, where she majored in theater with an emphasis in set design. They didn’t have advanced classes at that time, so she worked on projects with faculty, doing things like assistant designing the mainstage set for the spring musical–research, design, production, right down to the painting–and was able to get credit for it. In her case it worked extremely well and provided great preparation for her capstone project. It’s not unusual to do independent (or “continuing” or “directed”) studies in arts when you have learned the foundational skills, exhausted the curriculum that’s in place, and are able to work one-on-one with a professor. At many liberal arts colleges, this is a selling point–it’s quite a gift to get that much individual attention from a professor. If you feel like the faculty members are people you would connect with, this could be a great opportunity, almost like an apprenticeship.</p>
<p>I agree with Times3 and disagree with TheRealKEVP.</p>
<p>Independent studies are not simply about studying something not offered at the college. Sometimes independent studies are set up due to schedule conflicts. Sometimes independent studies are set up because a student wants to delve in depth on a topic. It is not the same as studying on one’s own and so why go to college. There is a mentor. A lot of learning takes place with mentorship. </p>
<p>Here are some examples from personal experience. D1 did an independent study in drawing in college. Her college offered it but it didn’t work in her schedule and the classes were hard to get into. She needed to work on drawing skills since she was going to go to grad school for architecture. She got a professor in the studio art department to work one on one with her weekly who supervised her work, and she used some of this work for her portfolio to get into graduate schools. </p>
<p>D2 did a BFA in MT and Acting. In her acting studio, they have an option in senior year of doing what is called “Independent Projects.” She wanted to write/compose a musical (that she also was a lead in) and this was for credit and was supervised by a professor. The show was staged before she graduated. The show went onto a professional production eventually in NYC. This fall, that show has been selected as a mainstage production at her alma mater in fact. And somewhat ironically, but back in elementary school, middle school, and high school, she did many independent studies. I recall an in depth independent study at age 7 on the history of Broadway musicals. She did an independent study supervised by the principal at age 9 and wrote a 90 page musical (must have been a prelude to her college independent study!). At age 8, I recall an independent study on Disney and in fact, my daughter currently has a commission to write music for Disney and is presenting her work to the executives there next week. There were other independent studies all through the years, in addition to classroom work. Many of these independent studies have led to things in the future. </p>
<p>When I was in grad school, I opted for one course to make it an independent study on a topic of interest and got one to one ongoing advising from a faculty member. I used my independent study project later on in my professional life and even taught college courses on that topic later on. </p>
<p>Independent study is not instead of taking classes but in addition to and there is much to be gained in delving in depth on a topic of interest and being mentored by a professional academic in the field. It is very worthwhile.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about independent study, but NKU is superb! I will be there next year. PM for any info needed</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>