Independent Study
What kind of independent study is available?
There are five options for indepedent study courses at Cornell. During your college career you are allowed to take up to four (4) all-college independent study options toward satisfying the minimum credit requirement for a BA or BMUS degree.
Internships
You can work with your faculty advisor to identify for-credit internship opportunities in your field that will give you immersive experience related to your course of study, which can take place over the course of a block or during the summer. You may also connect with career advisors in the Berry Career Institute to identify internship opportunities and determine if an activity qualifies for an Ingenuity in Action requirement. Often you'll work with both your Academic Advisor and Career Advisors to find your internship. These internships allow you the opportunity to gain lived experience in a field you think you'd like to pursue after college and help you make decisions about your future.
Individual projects
If you have a topic outside normal course offerings that you would like to study in depth, you can work independently with a faculty member in the format of a tutorial for a block. You must file a contract endorsed by the faculty tutor and chair of the department at least one week prior to the start of the block you want to do the individual project. Please refer to the Course Catalogue for specific pre-requisities to apply for this option.
Group projects
Two or more students can collaborate on a course of study in an area not normally included in regular course offerings. To do this you will need to find a faculty sponsor and draft a contract that will need to be approved by the Academic Review and Regulations Committee. If you plan to apply for a group project, start planning several blocks to a semester in advance.
For additional information about independent study, refer to the Course Catalogue, under Additional Academic Opportunities, All-College Independent Study Courses.