Close menu Resources for... William & Mary
W&M menu close William & Mary

Independent Study

Independent study can be a valuable intellectual experience for students who are exploring the possibility of honors, or who have a particular subject they wish to pursue in depth, or when a class is not offered on the same material. Independent study involves substantial reading and must result in some major written work, typically 15-20 pages, by the end of the semester.

Independent study is typically a semester-long investigation of a specific historical topic or problem, and a tutorial arrangement between a professor and a student. With faculty assistance, the student is responsible for developing the subject and the reading list.

In order to register for independent study (HIST467 or HIST468), students must receive permission from a faculty member and have a GPA of 3.0.