13 Directed Studies

Introduction: If you are planning to offer a Directed Study (form linked) course, please read and follow the guidelines listed below.

• A directed study affords a student with the opportunity to study/enroll in a course already listed in the College catalog but not scheduled to be offered during a particular semester. Because this is a replacement for a regular course offering, the course content and outcomes must be equivalent. NOTE: A directed study course carries the same course prefix, course number and course credits as listed in the current North Idaho College catalog.
• The student and the supervising instructor must demonstrate a need for offering the course, providing written proof that the course is required for graduation or program purposes, and that taking the course as directed study is the only option available to student.
• A directed study course will be based on a written mutual agreement between the student and the evaluating instructor. The following must be attached to the Directed Study form 1. A copy of the syllabus typically used for the course, 2. The basis of student evaluation if modified from typical expectations. NOTE: Directed Study forms are available online for from the appropriate division chair.
• Directed Study courses are subject to approval by the appropriate division chair, the appropriate
  dean, and the Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee.
• Students can take no more than four (4) credits of directed study each semester or summer
  session. Students can take no more than twelve (12) credits per year including the summer session.
• Students must register for a directed study course by the end of the scheduled add/drop period
  of each semester or summer session.
• Students must register for the directed study course before they begin their directed study
  course work. The student must have weekly meetings (a minimum of 15 meetings per semester) with
  the supervising instructor. NOTE: These meetings can be face-to-face, online, etc.
• The supervising Instructor may supervise no more than a combined total of four (4) directed
  study and/or independent study students during a given semester or summer session.
• Instructors cannot use directed study courses to replace normal contract obligations /
  workloads. Directed Study courses are paid as a stipend above the instructor’s contracted salary. The
  stipend is paid according to credit equivalents. The credit equivalents is determined by the total number
  of students enrolled in the directed study course times the credit equivalents for the course. NOTE: The
  current rate is $75.00 per credit equivalent.
  • Formula for credit equivalents
    • Lecture: Every hour (50 minute period) = 1 credit equivalent
      (1) Example: 3 hours of lecture per week = 3 credit equivalents
    • Laboratory: The 1st hour = 1 credit equivalent; every hour after that = 0.5 credit
      equivalent.
      (1) Example: 3 hours of lab per week = 2 credit equivalents
  • Stipend Payment: Number of students x number of credit equivalents = the total credit
    equivalents x $75.00 = Stipend Payment
    • Example: 4 students x 3 course credit equivalents = 12 total credit equivalents x $75.00
      = $900.00
• Because stipends for directed studies courses are paid as an overload to an instructor’s normal contract, participation by the instructor cannot be required by NIC.