Boston University Metropolitan College
Directed Study
A Directed study is a coherent, well-defined, and substantive research project supervised by a
faculty member with expertize and research record in the given area of specialization, usually
resulting in a major written report or publication. It is not a credit for work experience. Rather, it
offers the student an opportunity to explore in detail a carefully defined area of special interest,
as well as a chance to work under the close supervision of a faculty member with given
expertizes in that area.
Students who wish to conduct research in a specific area of interest under the guidance of a
faculty member may apply for a Directed study. Only full-time faculty can work with a student
in a Directed Study, and the proposed work needs to be directly related to expertize and research
area of the sponsoring faculty.
A Directed study is considered an academic course. Therefore, upon completion of the Directed
study the student receives a grade from the sponsoring faculty member and appropriate tuition
charges will be assessed. Directed Study is billed as a 4-credit course unless otherwise requested
by the faculty member and approved by the Associate Dean.
Directed Study may not substitute for a required course (core course) or duplicate an elective
course. Student may do no more than one Directed study course as part of a graduate
program. Students wishing to do more than one Directed study during the course of their
program must attach copies of any previous directed study applications to any subsequent
applications, as well as the written report or publication that resulted from the previous Directed
study. The subsequent application will be subject to careful review to ensure that the studies are
clearly non-overlapping, separate courses. A student may not do more than one directed study in
a given semester.
Fully completed and signed Directed study application need to be submitted to the Dean’s Office
at least two weeks before the beginning of a semester. Counting as a MET elective course, the
Directed study should be approved no later than the last day of the add/drop period.
Procedure for Directed Study
To arrange a Directed study course, the student should:
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Obtain Directed study application form; (http://www.bu.edu/met/for-faculty-staff/forms/)
Select a full-time faculty with expertize and research record in the area of interest;
Approach the appropriate faculty member and discuss plans for Directed study;
Negotiate area of research, requirements, and evaluation criteria with the faculty member;
Complete application for directed study, and have it signed by the faculty member,
department chairman, and program director (as appropriate);
Submit the Directed study form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval
not less than two weeks before the start of the semester.
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Upon approval, the Associate Dean will assign a course number for the class and process
the registration for the course.
Upon completion of the Directed study a copy of the written document or paper resulting from
the study should be submitted in electronic format by the sponsoring faculty to the Dean’s office.