What is an Honors Independent Study?

1. Honors Independent Studies are one-credit courses requiring a minimum of 33 hours of work to be completed in a period of 8 to 14 weeks. Grades will be given at the end of the semester.
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2. Honors Independent Studies can be taken in any subject area offered at Scott Community College and will be recorded on the student’s transcript as follows:
   • XXX927 Honors Independent Study - subject.
      
3. Independent Studies are approved by the Honors Advisory Council for publication, but the instructor gives the grade. Honors grades are A, B, or F.
    
4. Students may choose to pursue a topic using a Faculty Contract that a faculty member has developed specifically as an Honors Independent Study.
    
5. The topic of study for an Honors Independent Study should be initiated by the student and mentored by the faculty.
    
6. Honors Independent Studies should enhance the development of a student’s critical thinking skills.
    
7. Honors Independent Studies may be interdisciplinary but will be listed on the transcript with only one subject.
    
8. Honors Independent Studies may include community components.

Note: Honors Independent Studies can NOT be pursued during the summer sessions.

Note: Academic research papers should follow established formats and documentation procedures as outlined and modeled in standard handbooks, e.g. St. Martin’s Handbook, Holt Handbook, or Scott Foresman Handbook. If you or your student needs help, call the Honors coordinators to connect with an Honors Proofreader.