Aug 30, 2025  
2024-2025 Student Handbook & University Policies 
    
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2024-2025 Student Handbook & University Policies

Directed Study Policy AS.072

POLICY NUMBER: AS.072

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/27/25

APPROVAL DATE: 07/27/25

PURPOSE: To provide a structured academic opportunity for students to complete required courses outside the regular schedule due to unavoidable circumstances, ensuring continuity and timely progress toward graduation. 

SCOPE: This policy applies to students who require a course with limited enrollment (three or fewer) due to scheduling conflicts, temporary absences, or graduation requirements, and outlines the conditions, approval process, and instructional expectations for Directed Study at Life University. 

APPROVAL AUTHORITY: President 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Academics

ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY: N/A

RECIPIENTS: N/A 

PUBLICATIONS: N/A

DEFINITIONS: 

A directed study is a course with three or fewer students. 

POLICY TITLE

 Directed Study Policy 

POLICY STATEMENT

 Directed Study can be offered when a course is not available at the time a student needs that particular course to stay on track. Directed study may also be offered when a student has a situation where he/she must be temporarily, but unavoidably, absent for a period of time. All Directed Study proposals should be reviewed and approved by the department chair or designee to ensure consistency, appropriateness of course substitution, and equity in workload distribution. 

Only courses required by the program of enrollment will qualify for a Directed Study. Directed Study must be structured and supervised on a regular basis by a qualified instructor. Faculty participation in Directed Study will be accounted for in faculty workload assignments. 

Directed study is used for two primary reasons: 

  1. The student must be temporarily, but unavoidably, absent due to such things as accident, illness, maternity, or disability. 
  2. The student needs to repeat or complete a course, which is not regularly scheduled, in order to graduate, and the course cannot be taken at any other date. 

The Dean or designee may approve a directed study if it is in the best interest of the student. 

As online courses are asynchronous, there are no changes to expectations in the delivery of an online 

directed study course. On-ground courses that require lab hours are not appropriate for a Directed Study. Students must have the full course time to practice their skills under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. 

Directed Study is not to be used for courses with enrollment of more than three students. A regular course schedule is required for courses with four or more students. 

Students in their first term with Life University are not eligible for a Directed Study. 

PROCEDURE(S)

  1. A Directed Study contract is signed by the student and by an instructor qualified to teach the subject matter no later than the end of the first week of class of the quarter.
    • The signed contract is to be posted in the student’s file. 
  2. The Directed Study is to be completed within the quarter. Any student in a Directed Study course that does not complete the course in the quarter will post a failing grade. 
  3. Faculty members must maintain attendance and grades for each Directed Study course in compliance with the Attendance Policy. 
  4. A specific written syllabus (complete with learning objectives), weekly assignments, major assignments (e.g., papers or projects), and schedule of tests and quizzes is followed and monitored by the instructor. 
  5. Coursework must be provided for the student on the College’s learning management system (e.g. Blackboard), and weekly, personal contact with the faculty member must be maintained. 
  6. The coursework (reading, homework assignments, research, paper writing, meetings with the instructor, lab work, etc.) should cause the student to have 20 hours of contact with the curriculum for every credit hour awarded via Directed Study.
    • At least 10 of the 20 hours of contact must be instructor facilitated delivery of instruction. 
  7. A student on Directed Study must maintain a weekly meeting time with his/her instructor.
    • Attendance must be recorded for all meetings. 
    • If the student is truly unable to come into the Campus for a weekly meeting, then he/she should take the course online. If an online course is not an option, then the student should meet with his/her instructor using video conferencing to facilitate course content, review completed work, and answer questions with the instructor for that week. 
  8. A student in an on-ground course must attend the college to complete lab work or other exercises requiring equipment or direct supervision. 
  9. Upon conclusion of the Directed Study course, all grades and attendance must be recorded in the learning management system (e.g. Blackboard) by the instructor. 

OTHER NOTES

 N/A