Department of Mass Communications Operating Policies for MC 499,Independent Study, MC 491,Advanced Practices, MC 442, Special Studies in Visual Communications, & MC 495, Readings In Mass Media

Note: In the Department of Mass Communications, an internship experience may not be used to meet the requirements of MC 499, 491, 442 and 495. Students receive credit for internships only if they are enrolled in MC 481, Internship/Senior Assignment, or MC 482, Internship.

1. To qualify for an independent study, a student must possess, at the time of application, at least a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 G.P.A. in the major, and obtain the approval for the study by a member of the faculty.

2. Students must use the departmental application form to create a proposal for what work will be accomplished in any of the four courses listed above. To receive a satisfactory grade, a student must deliver what is promised in this proposal, and do so to the supervising professor's satisfaction. An application form must be signed by both the student and supervising professor prior to registration. Three copies should be made: one for the student's departmental file, one for the supervising professor, and one retained by the student.

3. To earn the three credits awarded for an independent study, advanced practices, or special studies in visual communications, a student should plan on devoting a minimum of 90 hours time during the semester.

4. To earn each credit in readings in mass media, a student should plan on devoting a minimum of 30 hours time during the semester. Readings in mass media can be repeated to a maximum of four hours.

5. As the catalog stipulates, a student enrolling in an advanced practices section must first have competed all formal coursework offered by the department in that subject, fill out the application form and obtain an instructor's consent and signature. Advanced practices may be repeated to a maximum of six credit hours.

6. Exceptions to these policies may be approved by the department chair, after recommendation by the supervising faculty member.