Typically the agreement between the student and her professor will include her enrollment in a research course for which she may earn academic credit. While the expectations vary slightly from department to department, as may be discovered by direct examination of course listings in the Meredith College Catalogue, it is generally the case that academic credits for research are distinguished according to lower division and upper division levels of difficulty or challenge. In this way, students who are interested in research and consider themselves beginners may comfortably enroll in courses carrying the 299 number; more advanced students will enroll in courses 499, and honors students must enroll in 498 the semester in which they compelte their thesis.*

Students enrolled for 299, 499, or 498 must complete a special studies form for the registrar usually within the first two weeks of class.  These forms are necessary in order to complete the registration process for research courses and receive academic credit.

Research courses usually offer variable credit, from 1 to 3 semester hours, depending upon the extent of the particular project. These courses may be repeated for projects that require more time than one semester allows, up to a maximum of 6 credits. Overall, a maximum of 12 semester hours from assorted research courses may be applied toward graduation. This policy offers Meredith students the flexibility to earn credits as beginners in research and as more sophisticated researchers, with valuable experiences in more than one project and with more than one professor. All it takes is a bit of initiative and planning.

Consult with your faculty advisor, your favorite professors, or with the Director of the Undergraduate Research Program.

*Some departments have listed research courses with their own distinctive numbering system. Both the Catalogue and the Schedule of Classes will contain the precise course information you need.