Independent Study General Information
Information for Everyone
How Independent Study Works
Independent Study means taking courses by correspondence or online to help meet your educational and professional goals.
- Enroll and begin work on a course at any time during the year.
- Take a maximum of nine months to complete a course including the final examination.
- Select from a wide range of topics and interest areas.
Most courses include a study guide or a syllabus for online courses. Audiocassettes, maps, computer disks, videocassettes, etc. are required at an additional fee in some courses. Library use or research may also be required. Self-motivation and individual responsibility are key aspects of independent study. As you complete your assignments, you submit them to the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study.
There are limitations on the number of lessons you can submit at one time which allows you to benefit from the instructor’s comments and suggestions before moving on to other assignments. Each assignment is then evaluated by the instructor and returned to you with a grade. You will also need to schedule a time to take the final examination at least six weeks before the grade is needed.
The University of Tennessee is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the University Continuing Education Association.
Eligibility
Independent Study courses may be taken for credit or non-credit by anyone who wishes to enroll. Students do not have to be admitted to the University of Tennessee to take Independent Study Courses. However, if you are admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and are pursuing an undergraduate degree, you must have the written approval of your college dean or authorized representative. Please see our Authorization Form (PDF) for more details.
Enrollment in an independent study course does not constitute admission to the University of Tennessee. For credit purposes, in most cases, the same eligibility applies that would apply for the regular residence classes. It is your responsibility to check the requirements and prerequisites.
Enrollment Procedure
Please see How to Register.
Policies
Students must meet the same academic standards and are subject to the same regulations regarding honesty in their work on assignments and examinations as those set for students in residence programs. Each student is required to do his or her own work. Violation of this regulation may result in failure in the course and dismissal from the university.
See the Hilltopics student handbook (http://dos.utk.edu/hilltopics/).
Examination Policy in Independent Study
- You must pass the final examination to pass the course.
- All assignments must be received by the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study office and any special requirements set by the instructor must be met before you may take the final examination.
- All examinations must be supervised by properly authorized testing personnel (proctors), as explained below.
- Allow at least six weeks for the final exam to be graded and processed. If you are working under a deadline for purposes of graduation, teacher licensing, or employment eligibility, it is your responsibility to complete all coursework and examinations (if required) in a timely manner.
At the appropriate time, as identified in the course study guide, submit an Exam Request Form (PDF) (which is also contained in the course study guide). Complete this form with the proctor’s information. Once we receive the form and verify your information and status, the exam will be mailed to the proctor for administration.
If you live within 50 miles of Knoxville, you may take your final examination in the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study office. No fee is charged, but you must call our office and schedule an exact exam time at least one week in advance of the date you want to take your exam. Call (865) 974-5134 or (800) 670-8657 to schedule an appointment.
If you live within 50 miles of one of the University of Tennessee’s other campuses or any college, university, or community college you may arrange to have your final examination supervised by the testing officer or another approved administrator at that institution. A professional public librarian is also considered a qualified proctor; however, public libraries are under no obligation to provide this service. It is your responsibility to ask the college or library for this service, to secure the proper signature on your Examination Request form, to enter the date the examination is to be held, and to pay any fee that may be charged for this service. It is your responsibility to check with your proctor to make sure he/she has received your exam.
If you are in military service, your Education Officer may administer your examination.
If your location makes all these possibilities inapplicable to you, contact the Distance Education and Independent Study office for assistance. Examinations cannot be taken in a private location, such as your home or business. The Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC) is a free referral service provided by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) to facilitate distance learning. The purpose of the CCTC is to make test administration services available to students at locations away from their campuses. Click here to find a consortium participant.
Cancellation and Withdrawal
Requests to cancel or withdraw from an Independent Study course must be made in writing or in person.
You may cancel a course during the first 60 days of your enrollment. No grade will be recorded for those requesting a refund during the first 60 days. See the for cancellation charges. You may withdraw from a course during months 3-9 of your enrollment. The grade of "W" will be assigned to students who withdraw during the third through the eighth months after enrollment. The "W" is recorded on the official transcript of the University of Tennessee transcript, but does not affect the grade point average.
Late withdrawals Students should address their request to the Assistant Dean for Distance Education and Independent Study. Include all documentation that would support your request.
Transfers From Course to Course
Transfers from one Independent Study course to another are allowed subject to the following conditions:
- The original enrollment dates remains in effect. Therefore, there must be sufficient time to complete the new course before the original expiration date.
- Only two transfers are only be allowed from an original enrollment.
- A transfer fee is assessed for a transfer between courses.
- If the transfer is made to a course with a higher enrollment fee, the difference must be paid first in addition to the transfer fee.
- If the transfer is made to a course with a lower enrollment fee, no fees are refunded.
- Transfer cannot be made from one person to another.
- No transfer of funds may be made to a course in any other instructional unit of the University of Tennessee.
Time Limits and Extensions
The minimum time in which an Independent Study course can be completed varies according to the difficulty of the work and the number of assignments. In most courses, the minimum completion time approximates one week per lesson. The maximum time allowed to complete the course, including taking the final examination, is nine months from the official date of enrollment.
Requests for a one-time 90-day extension will only be considered for students who have completed at least one-half of all course assignments and demonstrate extenuating circumstances. A written request for approval must be submitted and received by the Department office prior to the course expiration date. (Consult our fee schedule for extension fee.) Extensions will not be granted if there is not sufficient time to complete the course during the 90 day extension period. Students who are not granted an extension may re-enroll in the course.
Textbook Information
Textbooks and special instructional materials are not included in the course fee, except where specified. Information for textbooks and other materials (including audiotapes, videotapes, etc.) is available at our web site or by calling the Department at 1-800-670-8657. Note that some required supplementary materials must be obtained directly from the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study. All book and material prices are subject to change without notice. All bookstore operations including book buybacks are available through MBS Direct; MBS Direct Customer Service can be reached at 800-325-3252.
Payment Information
Independent Study Fee Schedule
Please see the Fee Schedule for current course rates and fees. Please note that Independent Study courses are not eligible for State of Tennessee fee waivers.
Payment Options
Payment may be made by Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit cards, by check or money order, or in cash (in person only). If using a credit card be sure to include your account number, expiration date, and signature on the enrollment form. Payment for all courses must be made in advance and paid in full. Checks (made out to "The University of Tennessee") must be paid in U.S. dollars and must be drawn on U.S. banks. Send payments directly to:
The University of Tennessee
Department of Distance Education and Independent Study
Conference Center Building
600 Henley St., Suite 208
Knoxville, TN 37996- 4126
If the amount you send by check is less than the amount due, you will be enrolled and notified of the balance due. No assignments will be accepted until you pay the balance. If the amount you send exceeds the amount actually due, you will receive a refund for the overpayment. Credit card transactions will reflect the actual costs at the time of your enrollment. Do not use a pre-addressed course assignment envelope to send money.
Shipping and Handling
Please see the Fee Schedule.
Refunds
If you cancel your course within 60 days of your enrollment date (see above) you will receive a partial refund. Please see the Fee Schedule for cancellation fees. If the registration fee was paid by personal check, the University of Tennessee will hold the refund request for 30 days from the enrollment date to assure that the check clears the bank.
Returned Check Policy
There is a $30 service charge for any returned check no matter the reason. The administrative fee increases to $40 if the check is not redeemed within two weeks of notification. A returned check will automatically place a hold on any course(s) in which you are registered as well as your official student record. The hold will remain in effect until the original balance and the service charge fees are paid in full.
Contact This Department
Department of Distance Education & Independent Study
Conference Center Building
600 Henley Street, Suite 208
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-5134
Toll Free: 1-800-670-8657
TDD: (865) 974-5078
Fax: (865) 974-4684
Email: disteducation@tennessee.edu