Brigham Young University. Dept. of Independent Study Programs.

As a branch of the Continuing Education Division of Brigham Young University, the goal of the Independent Study is "To make quality educational experiences available to all who can benefit from individualized learning." Those taking Independent Study courses through BYU enjoy the benefits of having one year to complete the course and the convenience of completing the course off-campus and at their own pace. Over 40,000 people enroll in personal enrichment courses or classes for credit each year.

In 1964 the Brigham Young University administration had a committee chaired by Harold Clark look into the possibility of a bachelor’s degree for adults. Several years of working on a proposal finally paid off when the Board of Trustees agreed to support the program in May 1969. The new program was called Independent Study and would be a self-supporting program. Students were assigned faculty advisers and directed to study lessons, complete assignments, and attend seminars on campus. The first degree was awarded in June 1970 with more degrees awarded by 1974. Independent Study's goal is "To make quality educational experiences available to all who can benefit from individualized learning."

The Department of Independent Study Programs (1979-) is a department at Brigham Young University (BYU) for students who have difficulty taking classes on campus.

The department was established in 1979, and was previously known as Home Study. Independent Study is under the supervision of a director who reports directly to the dean of the Division of Continuing Education. The directors of the department are as follows: Orson B. Roper (1981-1982), Richard C. Eddy (1982-1985), Ralph A. Rowley (1985-1994), R. Dwight Laws (1994-2009), and Justin K. Johansen (2009- ).

Through its Independent Study program, BYU offers more than three hundred college-level credit courses, providing practical and convenient solutions for students with scheduling problems and for working students, armed forces personnel, and others who cannot take all their classes in residence.