Self-directed Study and Teaching Assistantships
Hood defines self-directed study as: 1) regular and X-credit independent study; and 2) internships, field work, and other courses similar to internships in that they do not have a classroom component.
- Students may take a maximum of 27 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the total 124-credit program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship or 12 credits of independent study.
- Students may take a maximum of 18 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the major program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship, 12 credits of independent study or more than 1/4 of the major program (whichever is less).
- Students may not add independent study credits to internships to fill a complete semester program. An exception to this rule is independent study that students take at the Washington Center for Learning Alternatives or through a similarly structured program.
- Independent study topics may not duplicate any course offered during the period of the student’s enrollment at Hood.
- Independent studies are granted to non-degree students under only exceptional circumstances.
Teaching Assistantships
Many departments offer students the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants, for which academic credit is awarded. Serving as a teaching assistant affords a student the opportunity to understand the materials of a course or of a laboratory from the perspective of the teacher. The course number 335 designates this type of study.
Limits/Restrictions:
- A total of 4 credits of Teaching Assistantship may be counted toward the degree. The course may be taken for 1-3 credits and may be repeated at the discretion of the department. Departments have the right to limit the number of credits granted per semester and may or may not allow students to repeat the course.
- As a general guideline, a student should work at least three hours per week for each credit granted in the assistantship. Grading is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.