2016 Undergraduate Catalog

Directed Study

Credit may be gained for courses completed through Directed Study. These classes are completed under the direct and close supervision of a full-time faculty member. This aspect of the academic program is designed primarily for students whose program of study would be enhanced by this style of instruction. This type of learning requires self-discipline, motivation, and commitment to coursework and would not be appropriate for students who need maximum instructor contact; therefore, every applicant must possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 earned with a minimum of 60 credit hours.

The Academic Appeal Form for requesting Directed Study courses are available in the Office of the Registrar.

  1. All directed study requests must be filed before the “Last Day to Add a Class” each term, that date is published each semester in the CU Register.
  2. No directed study will be approved for the purpose of repeating a course to remove a previous unsatisfactory grade.
  3. Directed study courses are not approved only to accommodate a student’s employment expectations, athletic eligibility, or other issues of convenience.
  4. Directed study courses are available only for degree-seeking students of Cumberland University.
  5. No more than one directed study course may be taken per semester.
  6. No student may earn more than 12 credit hours of directed study course work as an undergraduate.
  7. Instructors must provide syllabi and documentation that the directed study course work is comparable to that of a standard course.
  8. All work for a directed study course must be filed with the Registrar before a grade will be recorded.
  9. Students will be charged a $100 directed study fee for each directed study.

Required documents

  1. A letter from the student indicating the reason for the directed study. The letter should include the course number and course name he or she wants to take, the semester in which the course will be taken, and the name of the instructor who has agreed to teach the course as a directed study.
  2. Verification from the student's advisor that the course is not being repeated to replace an unsatisfactory grade, that the course will not be offered the following year, and that the student did not forgo an opportunity to enroll in the course in the previous year.
  3. Verification from the instructor that he or she is willing and available to teach the course.