Guidelines
1. Approval: Graduate Advanced Studies courses must be approved by the instructor.
2. Credit hours and time commitment: Special studies can be taken for 1, 2, 3, or 4 credits. The total amount of time a student should spend on activities directly involved in the course, including meeting with the instructor, is determined by the federal definition of credit hour: 1 credit hour represents 3 hours per week of academically engaged time for the entire semester (i.e., 12 hours per week for a 4-credit course, as per the Smith Faculty Code).
3. Five College: Smith Students registering for a special studies at one of the Five Colleges must obtain the signature of the instructor at the host school and must also complete any required forms at the host school.
4. Deadline: The completed Special Studies application, with instructor signature, is due to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first week of classes (fifth day of classes).