Independent Studies play an important role in the CATA major. All CATA majors are required to complete an internship experience or an independent study. While internships typically involve working at a remote site doing work of a professional nature in a workplace, independent studies involve conducting research or doing indepth study on a specialized topic or developing a substantial creative project working closely with a CATA faculty supervisor.  Independent studies are strongly encouraged for students planning on pursuing graduate work.

An independent study is normally for three semester hours of credit.  However, students hoping to receive more than three credit hours for an independent study should arrange for the additional credit in advance of beginning the project.  Evaluation of the independent study is done by the faculty sponsor following standards he/she and the student arrange in the form of a contract at the beginning of the semester in which the project is to occur.  Expectations for successful independent studies include

• Completing an independent study contract with your faculty sponsor is required.  This contract should be completed within ten days of beginning the project and submitted to the independent study coordinator (with signed copies to the registrar and faculty sponsor).

• Holding periodic meetings with the faculty sponsor as defined in the contract

• Submitting a portfolio containing or describing the created/finished project to the faculty sponsor after completion of the independent study.

• Submitting a self evaluation based on the experience