Customized Academic Learning
What is Customized Academic Learning?
Customized Academic Learning (CAL) is the collective term used to encompass group and individual academic work outside of a structured class offering which can be completed for academic credit. CAL can be completed as an individual or as part of a group of two or more students.
Individual CAL
Independent Research
Planning and conducting experiments, collection and analysis of data, and the reporting of results.
Academic Internships
Practical work experiences which have an academic component as certified by a member of the faculty.
Independent Study
A program of study and reading under the tutelage of a faculty member.
Group CAL
Group Research
Conducting research within the lab group of a faculty for which there are regular lab group meetings that require attendance and participation by undergraduates.
Group Project
Two or more undergraduates simultaneously working on the same task (other than research) under the supervision of a faculty member.
Requirements
To register for CAL, you will need to identify a position or project that is appropriate, and a faculty sponsor to oversee your work. You and your faculty sponsor need to discuss and finalize the academic details of your CAL including credits, grading method, course title, and assignments.
Faculty Sponsor
Academic credit for CAL must be sponsored by a full-time member of the JHU faculty.
This is the case whether the work is done on a JHU campus location or elsewhere. The work supervisor and the faculty sponsor may be the same person but are not required to be so. If the faculty sponsor is not the work supervisor, the work supervisor must provide the faculty sponsor with a report on the student’s progress and achievements while participating in the CAL experience (research, independent study, or project), and the faculty member must certify how much academic credit the CAL experience merits.
Students who wish to pursue CAL begin by discussing their ideas with an appropriate faculty sponsor. That discussion must focus on what type of project the student envisions, and what possibilities for academic credit the faculty member envisions. If the student and faculty member agree on the type of project and its academic value, then the student should find a suitable research or work environment for the project.
Academic Credit
For every one credit of CAL, you are expected to complete 40 hours of work over the course of the semester. You and your faculty sponsor should decide how you will track this time at the start of your experience.
Students may earn no more than 12 CAL credits in a single academic year, with a maximum of 6 credits in any one semester or summer (Sessions I and II combined), and no more than 3 credits during Intersession. Additionally, no more than 30 CAL credits may be earned during a student’s undergraduate enrollment. Please plan ahead if you plan to pursue multiple CAL experiences in an academic year.
Finding Opportunities
The Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research (HOUR) can provide students with tips for securing research and other opportunities.
You can also connect directly with faculty members to inquire about research opportunities. Contact information can be found in the WSE faculty directory.
How to Register
How to register for CAL
Deadline
In the Fall or Spring semesters, you may add Customized Academic Learning (CAL) in SIS Self-Service until the end of the 4th week of classes. Adjustments may be made until the end of the 6th week of classes. The Registrar provides the exact date of these deadlines for each term.
Submission Instructions
- Log in to SIS, then select Registration → Online Forms → Independent Academic Work from the menu.
- Fill out the form with the requested information.
- Select the Submit button.
The form will be sent to your faculty sponsor for approval. After they have approved it, it will show in your confirmed enrollments in SIS.
Summer and Intersession
Summer and Intersession terms have differing deadlines and procedures for requesting CAL. Find your term on the Registrar's Undergraduate Registration page and follow the instructions.
How to request an exception for a late CAL add
If an extenuating circumstance prevented you from submitting your CAL request before the deadline, you may request a late add of CAL with approval.
Submission Instructions
- Download the Undergraduate Research, Independent Study, Internship and Departmental Thesis form and complete the required information.
- Obtain an email approving the late CAL add from your faculty sponsor.
- Email your professional academic advisor. In your email, include
- the faculty sponsor approval email
- a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances that necessitate a late CAL add
- If your professional academic advisor approves your request, log into SEAM and open a ticket. In your ticket, include:
- both approval emails
- an explanation of why you missed the initial deadline
Summer and Intersession
Summer and Intersession terms have differing deadlines and procedures for requesting CAL. Find your term on the Registrar's Undergraduate Registration page and follow the instructions.