Undergraduate Directed Study at CAS
A Directed Study is a CAS course in which a student pursues independent research under the guidance of a CAS faculty member. A student may choose to undertake a Directed Study for the following reasons: 1) to pursue in depth an area covered more generally in a course, or 2) to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Students should consult with their supervising faculty member to design a clear, explicit plan for the completion of the directed study course including supervision, research materials, and assignments.
Navigate below to learn more about undergraduate Directed Study policies and applying for Directed Study. If you have questions about Directed Study courses, please contact CAS Advising at casadv@bu.edu.
Undergraduate Directed Study Policies
- CAS Directed Studies must involve a subject area within the liberal arts. For example, a CAS Directed Study may not be undertaken in the area of business management or public relations.
- The supervising instructor must be CAS faculty.
- A Directed Study may not be used to replace a course currently offered in the College of Arts & Sciences.
- A Directed Study may not be used to fulfill a college requirement including the CAS Second Language Requirement.
- A directed study can be worth 1 to 6 units, with a maximum of 12 units counted towards the degree.
Apply for an Undergraduate Directed Study
Effective starting the spring 2027 term, please work with CAS Academic Department in which you wish to pursue the Directed Study. As a general rule, Directed Studies must be added to a student’s schedule by the last day to add a course for the term.