Graduate Catalog 2022-2023

Study by Contract

This option offers students the opportunity of taking courses through a written agreement with a professor which specifies the manner in which students will complete course objectives and content. The agreement stipulates the learning activities that students promise to carry out on an individual basis. Faculty members serve as facilitators in the learning process, evaluate the accomplishments and certify completion of course requirements.

To qualify for a course by contract graduate students must abide by the following guidelines:

  1. This modality is available to students taking the course for the first time and who have completed 50% of the total credits required for the graduate degree with a general grade point average of no lower than 3.30.
  2. Only those courses whose very nature will permit it can be offered through contract. Laboratories, conference/laboratories, practicums, and courses similar to these cannot be offered by contract. The faculty of the specialization of each Campus will decide which courses may be offered by this modality.
  3. The contract between the student and the professor will require the endorsement of the Department Director.
  4. The agreement between the student and the professor will require the approval of the Dean of the Faculty or the Dean of Academic Affairs.

The Department should abide by the following norms:

  1. The Study by Contract modality can not be used to repeat a course.
  2. Faculty, who have been assigned Study by Contract courses, should have additional office hours reserved for their students.
  3. Students in a master’s program will be able to complete a maximum of two required courses for the degree in the contract modality. The Department Director, for valid reasons, may authorize additional courses to be taken by contract.