Independent Study Registration Instructions

Before doing an independent study course, you should have completed at least two on-campus writing workshops. Choose an instructor from the list provided, or any instructor who teaches an on-campus MCW workshop. When contacting an instructor you haven't worked with before, provide a short (3 to 5 pages) sample of your work, and explain why you think the instructor would be a good match. Attach an email acceptance from the instructor to the 499/590 Intent to Register form (PDF Format). The instructor, in consultation with you, will determine the scope and format of the work to be completed, and then detail this on the form. Follow the remaining instructions on the form. The intent to register form must be submitted two weeks before classes begin. No exceptions will be made.

The goal of the independent study is to create a finished manuscript of publishable quality, roughly 25 pages for fiction and nonfiction and 10 for poetry. You and the teacher may agree to special terms for conducting the project, but the project should consist of no fewer than 3 exchanges of manuscript "packets" and once weekly updates from you on your progress (the update or report is just a very brief email on what work was done, problems and successes encountered, etc.). Please keep copies of all exchanges and materials.