Students are expected to complete their programs through the normal schedule of courses. There is an application process for independent study. Each application for Independent Study will be carefully reviewed and approved by the School Dean, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Students are advised, however, that the College is under no obligation to provide this option. When the Independent Study is approved, the student will meet with the faculty assigned on a weekly basis. A course taken as Independent Study will cover the same content as the regularly scheduled course and have the same requirements and evaluation as outlined in the course syllabus.

The following conditions must be met for independent study:

1. The student is in the last term.
2. The course is required by the student to complete a degree or certificate program.
3. The course is not being offered on the term schedule, or the time of the course conflicts with another course the student needs to take.
4. No appropriate course substitution can be found.
5. The Independent Study is approved by the School Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. 

Individual Study courses enable talented students to earn credit in certain disciplines through special projects, research, creative work, internships, or other means of independent academic pursuit, without conforming to the restrictions of a traditional classroom setting. Individual study credit may be earned only for a course with content not included in an existing BCCC course.  

To earn Individual study credit, students must first submit a proposal explaining, in detail, the project for which credit is desired. Proposals may be submitted at any time during the academic year, and proposal forms are available from the School Deans. Students are encouraged to prepare the individual study proposal in consultation with a BCCC faculty in the appropriate school or department, who will subsequently supervise and evaluate the individual study work. The proposal must be approved by both the appropriate School Dean and the supervising faculty, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. After approval is granted, students must register and pay the normal tuition and fees before beginning the work. The number of credits to be earned for an individual study project depends upon the scope and shall be stated as part of the initial proposal. No more than six credits can be earned through individual study. For further information, contact the School Dean of the department in which individual study is desired.