Students may delve deeper into certain aspects of subjects previously studied or investigate an area of academic interest not covered in a regular course through an independent study. Independent study courses may earn from one to eight semester hour credits. Most departments offer an Independent Study course, and some offer research courses that focus on a specific subject, such as the English Department's Research Topics in Literary Studies .The four categories in which independent studies are classified are tutorial, independent project, internship, and preceptorship.
Students can also pursue their research through participation in an honors project.
The honors program is designed to enable students with demonstrated ability to do independent, original research or creative work within their chosen field. In addition to the curricular offerings, some departments offer research positions to students as summer jobs. These research positions may come in the shape of W.M. Keck Student Faculty Collaboration efforts, National Science Foundation grants, and others.