Independent Study

Take college classes online at your own pace

Independent Study in Idaho (ISI) accommodates the diverse needs of all learners, whether you’re a working professional seeking to advance your career, a busy parent juggling multiple responsibilities or a student looking for a flexible way to earn college credits on your own schedule. Our open enrollment registration model provides a flexible alternative to regularly scheduled semester-based courses.

We understand the importance of flexibility in higher education. That’s why ISI online courses allows a year for you to complete each course, providing ample time to master the material. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you have the freedom to explore coursework from any location on your own timeline.

Students use ISI courses to begin college programs early, graduate on time, resolve on-campus scheduling conflicts, satisfy prerequisites, study while incarcerated or pursue professional development or personal enrichment. These opportunities empower you to stay on track to achieve your academic goals. ISI classes include general education courses, coursework to earn an Idaho Teacher Librarian Endorsement and coursework to become an Idaho and Washington Addictions Counselor.

Key ISI highlights:

Complete general education or elective credits with course options in more than 25 subject areas.
Advance your degree while balancing work or personal commitments.
Prepare for graduate school or professional certification.
Study independently with no on-campus requirements in online courses sponsored by four regionally accredited institutions — no Idaho residency or university admission required.
Complete your degree faster. See an example of this cost-saving approach.
Enroll any time and get started as soon as your registration is processed — no need to wait for the beginning of a school term.
Pay the same rate whether or not you’re an Idaho resident:
- Undergraduate courses cost $160/credit + $30 processing fee
- Graduate courses cost $200/credit + $30 processing fee

Open enrollment. Register anytime. Start anytime.

Flexibility is fundamental to the Independent Study in Idaho program. With open enrollment, you can register and start your course whenever you’re ready. Designed for completion in one year or less, ISI courses cater to your schedule and commitments, allowing you to complete coursework at your own pace. The credits you earn upon completing ISI courses can be used toward earning your college degree and are also widely transferable to many colleges and universities.

How it works

Choose a course: Browse the ISI course list.
Enroll anytime: Start when it’s convenient — no set semester deadlines. Register online through the ISI course catalog.
Study at your own pace: Complete coursework and exams within 12 months.

Who can enroll?

ISI is open to everyone. No formal admission to University of Idaho is required.

Tuition and fees

ISI courses charge a flat rate per credit, separate from regular U of I tuition. Additional fees may apply for proctoring services or course materials. See tuition and fees for details.

Additional links

Contact ISI

The ISI office is on the University of Idaho Moscow campus. Contact us today.

Access Boise State University, Lewis Clark State and Idaho State University institution contact information.

Physical address:

Blake House
1150 Blake Ave.
Rooms 205 and 207
Moscow, ID 83844-3081

Toll-free: 877-464-3246
Phone: 208-885-6641
Email: indepst@uidaho.edu

Frequently asked questions

When can I register for an Independent Study in Idaho course?

ISI courses are open enrollment, so you can register for an ISI class whenever it works best for you. It can take up to three business days to complete your registration and receive a registration confirmation email. Instructions for how to set up accounts and log on to your course are included in the registration confirmation email.

How do I register for an Independent Study in Idaho course?

Follow these instructions to register:

Find and register for a course using the ISI Course Catalog on Keep Learning Idaho.
It is recommended that degree seeking students obtain written confirmation that credits earned through ISI will be accepted and applied to their degrees as expected prior to registration.
Review course fees and refund schedule.
Order textbooks and other course materials from an online bookseller or from the VandalStore.

You do not need to apply for admission to any of the cooperating schools.

Does Independent Study in Idaho offer financial aid or qualify me for loan deferment?

No, ISI courses do not qualify for payment via financial aid funds. ISI courses also do not count toward credit-hour load and cannot be used to establish full or part-time status or determine eligibility for financial aid or loan deferment.

How much does an ISI course cost?

See course fees.

How much time does it take to complete an ISI course? What is the maximum amount of time I can take to complete an ISI course? How quickly can I complete an ISI course?

You have 12 months from registration to finish a course and, if needed, one four-month extension may be purchased. ISI courses match on-campus counterparts in content and standards, with a per-credit workload equivalent to on-campus courses. Expect a minimum of three months to complete most ISI courses.

You can work at your own pace with a weekly assignment submission limit specified on the course Canvas page. Grades are typically received within two weeks, but instructors may take longer based on weekly submission limits. Allow for additional time during holidays and instructor vacations. If you need to complete courses in less than three months, submit a support request.

How much time will it take to get my work graded?

You'll receive grades for assignments within two weeks after the submission date, but instructors are not required to grade faster than the number of assignment submissions allowed per week (see individual course syllabi for details). Additional grading time may be needed during holidays, vacations or instructor illness.

How do exams work in ISI courses?

Some ISI courses host their exams on Canvas, while others require in-person proctoring. If a course requires proctoring, you will need to submit a proctor request form. Email the ISI office for proctor information. Proctored exams are paper-based and are not returned to students.

Student responsibilities for proctored exams:

Find a qualified person to proctor exams in an education setting and return exams to the ISI office. Proctor qualifications are listed on proctor request form.
Complete proctor request form and submit it at least two weeks before the first exam. Each ISI course needing a proctor requires a separate proctor request form.
Schedule time with proctor to complete exams.
Pay any proctoring fees.
Show government issued ID before taking exam.

What happens when I finish my ISI course?

The instructor submits a final course grade after all assignments and exams have been graded.

An ISI employee processes your grade information, then the student receives a Course Completion Letter in their Vandal email account. This letter contains information on how to request a transcript through the course’s sponsoring institution (all completed courses are recorded on a transcript at the institution that sponsors the course).

Wait at least three business days after receiving the Course Completion Letter before contacting the transcript office; the Office of the Registrar must record the grade before the course appears on a transcript.

Official transcripts may be purchased from each credit-granting institution. ISI does not send out transcripts.

Find your institution for contact information and information on which semester a final grade is recorded on the transcript.

Will I be able to contact or get help from the course instructor?

Instructors are available to answer questions concerning course content and grading may be contacted as specified in Canvas. It can take three business days to receive a response from an instructor.

What order should I take library science classes?

View the library science sequence of classes to find the order in which classes meet all prerequisites.

Which classes are available for incarcerated students?

Please see the Classes for Incarcerated Students PDF for more information.

Each member institution of the ISI cooperative (see Cooperating Institutions) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the region’s accrediting agency. Independent Study in Idaho is also a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) through University of Idaho.

See Idaho authorization information for distance education specific to each state.

About Independent Study in Idaho

Independent Study in Idaho (ISI) was created in 1973 by the Idaho State Board of Education as a cooperative of regionally accredited Idaho institutions led by University of Idaho. Other participating members include Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State University, and Idaho State University.

Students use ISI courses to complete their studies and prepare for successful careers by beginning college programs early, graduating on time, resolving on-campus scheduling conflicts, satisfying prerequisites or pursuing professional development or personal enrichment.

Accreditation

Each member institution of the ISI cooperative is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the region’s accrediting agency. Independent Study in Idaho is also a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) through University of Idaho.