For many students, balancing classes, work and activities can be a struggle. They turn to independent study courses to earn college credit on a more flexible schedule.
What many students don't know is three different forms of independent study are available at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Two of the three are impossible to fail.
Bob Mathiasen is the assistant director for undergraduate distance education programs at UNL. He said the UNL independent study program is comparative to other U.S. programs.
"We have semester-based, open enrollment and summer independent study courses," Mathiasen said.
Students can fail only the semester-based courses. These follow a regular semester schedule, ending during finals week. Students register of these courses via eNroll on their online WAM accounts.
"Students can recognize semester-based courses by the 'X' listed at the end of their call numbers," Mathiasen said.
Open enrollment and summer independent study courses are registered through the Extended Education and Outreach Office. Students have up to one year to complete an open enrollment course but must spend at least five weeks minimum.
"Most of this time allows for turn around of homework being submitted, graded and returned," Mathiasen said.
Should students reach the end of a year and need more time to complete a course, they can purchase a 90-day extension with $65 and a written request.
Such extensions are not very common, Mathiasen said. He estimated fewer than one in 10 students request an extension.
For the students who receive a failing grade or don't complete the course, nothing appears on their transcript.
"Not even a record of their registration will appear on their transcripts," Mathiasen said. "The information exists on an internal record at the Extended Education and Outreach Office. We just don't send it on."
Some students, such as sophomore elementary education major Holly Yaunk, wished they had known about the failure policy earlier.
"I took a semester-based course and nearly failed," Yaunk said. "My adviser never told me about the open enrollment. I wish I had known."
Other students said they were unsure how they felt about the failure policy.
"It seems like a kind of cheating," said Beca Frausto, a junior biology major. "But I guess they're still out the money they paid."
Nearly 75 percent of students who enroll complete the independent study courses successfully. The success is due in part to the types of students who enroll, Mathiasen said.
"Our most popular courses are nursing courses," Mathiasen said. "Over 25 nationally ranked nursing schools referred their students to our independent study program. Many nurses use our courses to complete their degrees."
Seniors are another group with high enrollment, he said.
"Many seniors will realize they need one or two requirements to graduate. Odds are they're not going to not complete their course."
Mathiasen said students needed to keep in mind 30 of their last 36 hours needed to be completed on campus to graduate from UNL. Also, some independent study courses meet essential studies requirements but none fulfill integrative studies requirements.
Jill Hutson, a senior biology major, said she took an independent study course and enjoyed the opportunity.
"I learn better on my own," she said.
carriebrauer@dailynebraskan.com
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