College Frequently Asked Questions

• How do Independent Study courses work?
  

  You can start anytime. No admission to PSU is required. After you register, we’ll
  send you a login to the web version of the course. You can take traditional college credit courses to satisfy general education requirements. You work with college instructors via email, mail or phone.

• How long does it take to complete an Independent Study course?
  

  It’s flexible. You can finish in 2 to 12 months, (1 month with instructor’s permission only).

  Effective July 1, 2008, you will no longer be able to add the six-month extension.

• Can I apply for financial aid?
  

  PSU does not award financial aid for Independent Study courses. If you are enrolled full time at another college or university, check with your financial aid officer to find out if financial aid will support correspondence non term-based Independent Study courses.

• I am a student with disabilities. How do I register?
  

  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is a University resource that promotes barrier-free environments (physical, program, information, attitude), to ensure the rights of students with disabilities and to assist the University with meeting its obligations under federal and state statutes. The DRC works to ensure access to University courses, programs, facilities, services, and activities by documenting disabilities and providing or arranging reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, training, consultation, and technical assistance. If you need accessibility accommodation to take an Independent Study course, please contact the DRC.

• Can I get a degree from Independent Study?
  

  We do not grant degrees, diplomas or certificates. Independent Study credits appear on a PSU transcript as transfer credits. They are treated by most universities and colleges, including PSU, as transfer credits. PSU Independent Study is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

• Will Independent Study credits count toward full time student status at PSU?
  

  No, Independent Study classes are not term based so they cannot be counted toward full time student status at PSU.

• How do I use the credits toward a degree/diploma/certificate?
  

  When you complete an Independent Study course, we send your grade to the PSU Registrar’s office.  They post that grade record onto your PSU transcript. 

• How do I get a transcript?
  

  After completion of the course, you can request at PSU Transcript Office to send an official transcript wherever and whenever you wish.

• Will my university accept Independent Study credits?
  

  It is your responsibility to confirm if your school accepts our Independent Study credits.

• Why do we request your school name?
  

  In order to verify to which school you would like us to send your final grade.

• How do I complete a course evaluation?
• Are Independent Study courses fully accredited?
  

  All of our college courses are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCCU).