How Independent Study Works

When you enroll in an independent study course, you will receive a course manual that contains all of your lessons, assignments and instructions.

Once you receive your textbooks, you can begin submitting assignments. Our staff will receive and record your assignments and forward your work to your instructor. The steps in the process work as follows:

1. The student submits the lesson to the Department of Independent Study.
2. The Independent Study Department receives, records and forwards the lesson to the instructor.
3. The instructor grades and returns the lesson to the Department of Independent Study.
4. The Department of Independent Study records the grade and returns the lesson to the student.
5. After submitting the required number of lessons, the student submits the application for the mid-course test; the application is in the back of the course manual.
6. After taking the mid-course test, the student can begin submitting the next set of lessons to the Department of Independent Study.
7. After all the lessons in the course are graded, the student submits the application for the final examination; the application is in the back of the course manual.
8. After the final examination is graded and returned to the Department of Independent Study, the office sends the student a final grade report.
9. The time required for grading is generally one to two weeks after the lesson is received in our office, but instructors are allowed two weeks to grade each lesson. This turnaround time depends somewhat on any delays in the mail and on the instructor's schedule, which includes responsibility for teaching courses on campus.
10. Please be aware that at certain times of the year instructors may not be available for rapid grading or assignment and exams. This is particularly true during winter holidays, at the end of the semester and during winter months.

If you need assistance or have additional questions please email us at indstudy@olemiss.edu.