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Independent Study Course


Sometimes the best way to learn is to do things firsthand. Are you interested in conducting psychological research? Did you know you can earn course credit for working in a research lab? The Department of Psychological Sciences offers two independent study courses for undergraduates interested in gaining research experience:

Prerequisite: PSYS 100 / PSY 100.

Course Description: Directed readings or research under faculty supervision. Students must make their own arrangements in advance for supervision by a faculty member. Does not count towards completion of the major in psychological sciences.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 100 / PSYS 100, junior standing, and permission of the faculty project supervisor.

Course Description: Advanced students will conduct research and / or readings or projects concerning issues in psychology under the direction of faculty members. The course may be repeated. Only three hours will count toward completion of the psychological sciences major/minor.

Note:  Only 3 credit hours of PSYS 490 can count towards the 37-hour major and only 6 credit hours of PSYS 490 can count towards for the 49-hour extended major.  Talk to your advisor and research mentor about making sure that your PSYS 490 is appropriate for your declared concentration.

Typical activities for an independent study experience include participating in research study design, data collection, presentation of research findings, and/or other activities supporting one or more research projects.

A WKU student sits across the table from a man and conducts a cognition study..


 

To enroll in an independent study course, follow the steps below:

1

Contact a faculty member who conducts research that sounds interesting to you.

See our Research Labs for more information about faculty research projects. Most faculty members will have you complete a brief application and/or interview to see if you would be a good fit for their research team.

View Research Labs

2

Choose your independent study course.

Once a faculty member has agreed to supervise your independent study experience, determine a) which independent study course you want to take (i.e, PSYS 290 or PSYS 490) and b) the number of credit hours you want to enroll in. You may take 1, 2, or 3 credit hours per term.

3

Complete the Independent Study Approval Form and E-mail it to the Faculty Member

Upon approval, you will receive an email providing instructions on how to register for the course. 

Independent Study Approval Form


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 Last Modified 8/3/23