Independent Study General Information
Information for High School Students
Most courses consist of at least one textbook and a syllabus containing an introduction, commentaries, and a series of reading and writing assignments. Audiotapes are used in foreign language courses.
Independent study courses may be taken to earn credit toward a high school diploma, to meet specific college entrance requirements, or for personal development. High school students taking courses for high school credits must have the written approval of your school’s principal or guidance office to register. Please see our Authorization Form (PDF) for more details. Students in Tennessee high schools should especially note the following:
- To earn credit toward your diploma, you must have the approval of your high school principal or guidance counselor.
- Credit for an independent study course must be granted by a high school and then certified by the State Department of Education toward graduation requirements.
Students in other states should consult their own local and state education authorities.
High school courses offered through Independent Study cover the same subject matter and use the same texts as courses approved for credit in high schools in Tennessee. A correspondence course offered through independent study contains the work usually covered in half the high school year in one subject. One unit of credit represents a year's study of the subject and requires the completion of two independent study courses of one-half unit each.
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