Class you want not listed? Take it independently!

You can enroll in practically any Cornell class listed in Courses of Study if you can find a professor willing to supervise the coursework through independent study.

This may be an actual independent study class, research, or it may be any other course that a faculty member is willing to offer on a tutorial basis.

Once you have identified a professor willing to supervise your study, please follow the steps outlined below. This must be done at least two weeks prior to beginning the independent study class.

In addition, a group of students (at least five) wishing to enroll in a specific class not scheduled for when you want to take it may email the School of Continuing Education's registrar (cusce@cornell.edu) requesting that the class be added to the roster. The SCE registrar's office will then try to arrange for that course to be offered.

Registration and enrollment

Students currently enrolled in a Cornell degree program

The process below is for summer and winter independent study only. For fall or spring independent study, please work directly with your college.

  1. Find a professor willing to supervise your Summer or Winter Session coursework.
  2. Complete the application for independent study (NetID required).
  3. The SCE Registrar will create the class and enroll you in it. You’ll receive email confirmation when your enrollment is complete.
  4. Pay your tuition charge in full at the time of registration. Tuition is charged per credit.

    See tuition, how to pay, and payment deadlines.

    You're responsible for the tuition associated with all classes in which you’re enrolled, whether or not you participate in those classes.

    If you no longer wish to take a class, follow the steps on the Course Changes page to drop it immediately. If you drop after the refund period has passed (see Dates and Deadlines), you'll be responsible for the total cost of your tuition.

Visiting students, not currently enrolled in a Cornell degree program

  1. Find a professor willing to supervise your coursework.
  2. Work with the instructor and course offering department to determine your class number, dates, location, credits, and grade basis.
  3. Complete the application for independent study.
  4. Once you receive application approval from SCE registrar staff, via email, please register as a Visiting Student. Note, your class information will not appear in the registration system, until you receive approval.
  5. Pay your tuition charge in full at the time of registration. Tuition is charged per credit.

    See tuition, how to pay, and payment deadlines.

    You're responsible for the tuition associated with all classes in which you’re enrolled, whether or not you participate in those classes.

    If you no longer wish to take a class, follow the steps on the Course Changes page to drop it immediately. If you drop after the refund period has passed (see Dates and Deadlines), you'll be responsible for the total cost of your tuition.

  6. Visiting students attending on-campus classes are also required to pay the Student Health Fee, which is charged separately from tuition, and may be required to or enroll in Cornell's Student Health Plan. See the health services page.
  7. You’ll be enrolled in your class when full tuition payment has been received and you’ve completed all other enrollment requirements.
  8. Finalize your enrollment by completing the steps on the SCE onboarding page.

    These requirements include activating your Cornell NetID, familiarizing yourself with important policies, and determining if you need to enroll in Cornell's student health plan.