Directed study guidelines
A directed study gives upper division students the opportunity to work closely with a full-time Ilitch School faculty member whose expertise and research interests align. The purpose is to learn how to conduct research, use various research methodologies and arrive at meaningful conclusions. Directed study counts as an elective course.
Expectations
- To be student-driven from choosing the subject matter to the method, data sources and theoretical question asked.
- The topic selected and the research conducted should lead to new learning, discovery or growth for the student and contribute toward the student's academic program.
- The directed study should result in a substantial and significant paper that is 25 pages or more for undergraduate students and 35 pages or more for graduate students.
Course credits
A student can earn one to three (1-3) credits for a directed study once per term. Credits awarded are dependent on the amount of time and effort to be spent on the study. A student should be prepared to spend a minimum of 30 hours for each hour of credit to be earned.
Eligibility
An undergraduate student must meet the following criteria to participate:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Senior status or higher
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of business course work at Wayne State University with a passing grade
- Completed the core courses in the chosen major or obtain the approval of the chair of the respective department
Transfer students are not eligible for a directed study in their first year at Wayne State University. Guest students are not eligible for a directed study.
A graduate student must meet the following criteria to participate in a directed study:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completed all core courses in the respective graduate program at Wayne State University with a passing grade other than the capstone course
- If enrolled in the Master of Science in Accounting or Master of Science in Taxation program, completed at least 12 credit hours of graduate accounting courses or obtain the approval of the chair of the Department of Accounting
Registering for the course
A student must follow the following procedures to obtain approval for a directed study and to enroll in the respective course:
- Choose a topic or issue in which you are interested and toward which your courses and/or experiences have drawn you. Keep in mind the availability of data and research materials, the timeliness of your topic, and your ability to address the topic or issue in the time available.
- Make an appointment with a full-time faculty member to discuss your topic and seek their approval to direct your study. Bring a draft proposal that focuses on the learning you seek that is not represented in the available courses offered. If you are unsure of which faculty member to approach for a directed study, contact the department chair.
- Complete a project outline for your directed study with the concurrence of the faculty member which should include:
- Statement of your topic/issue
- Importance and/or relevance of the topic
- Your learning objectives
- Resources and/or data you plan to use
- Statement of expected results or conclusion
- Proposed bibliography
- Milestones and times for reporting against those milestones
- Description of the end product.
- Complete the directed study proposal form.
- Submit the completed directed study proposal form that has been signed by the respective faculty member and a current copy of your transcript to the respective department, and schedule an appointment to discuss your directed study with the chair of the department or their designee.
- Obtain the signature of the respective department chair or associate chair.
- The department will deliver the approved directed study proposal form to the Frederick Hessler Student Success Center for authorization. Please allow at least 2 days before trying to register. Proposals for directed study must be approved prior to commencement of the directed study.
Proposals for directed study will not be approved for studies that have already been completed or are in progress. The proposal form must be approved and submitted before classes begin for the respective semester.
Course grade
The directed study course will be graded by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the student's study. Failure to complete the directed study and/or submit the agreed upon work product by the end of the respective semester will result in an incomplete (I) for the final grade.
