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BYU Independent Study Launches a New Website

. Mar 5, 2026

2 min read

🥁 Drum roll, please…

BYU Independent Study is excited to announce the launch of our new and improved website! Designed with students, parents, and counselors in mind, the updated site makes it easier than ever to explore courses, understand learning outcomes, and help students succeed.

Whether you’re planning ahead for upcoming coursework or looking for flexible learning options, the new website provides a clearer path to finding the right course.

 

Watch an overview video on our YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/o0ptR4jsPzw?si=7esk672JxI_lgSSU

 

 

What’s New on the BYU Independent Study Website

🌟 Clearer Course Navigation

Finding the right course is now faster and more intuitive. The redesigned layout helps you quickly browse high school offerings, compare course options, and review prerequisites with ease. Comprehensive course catalogs and improved filtering make it simple to locate exactly what your student needs.

📘 Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSA) Focus

Many courses now highlight Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSA) outcomes. In addition to learning core academic content, students develop valuable abilities such as critical thinking, communication, and problem solving. These outcomes help students grow not only academically but personally, preparing them for future education and life opportunities.

📍 Dedicated Parent Tools

Parents play an important role in a student’s success. The new website includes a Parent Portal designed to help families stay informed and involved. Parents can track progress, understand course expectations, and better support their student throughout the learning experience.

👩‍🏫 Course Series Discount

Families enrolling in a full course sequence can now save.

When a student enrolls in all parts of a course series—such as Algebra Part 1 and Part 2—they automatically receive a 10% discount on the bundled courses. This option makes it easier and more affordable to plan ahead for multi-part classes.

Why This Update Matters

The new BYU Independent Study website was built to make the enrollment and learning process simpler, clearer, and more supportive for families.

Whether your student needs:

  • Core graduation credits
  • Elective enrichment courses
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Credit recovery opportunities

…the updated site makes it easier to explore options and take the next step with confidence.

We invite you to explore the new website and discover how BYU Independent Study can support your student’s learning journey.

Stand Out in the Business World: Independent Study Can Help

Zachary Halliday. Mar 5, 2026

3 min read

As the world continues to evolve and technology advances at a rapid pace, fundamental business principles are everywhere.

Perhaps you want to get ahead of the curve and jump-start your career in the world of business. Or maybe developing a deeper understanding of core business principles, like budgeting, leadership and brand awareness, will make you more versatile and marketable to future employers. Whatever your goals may be, learning how businesses operate and how to make strategic decisions can help you thrive in today’s competitive world.

Understanding the Foundations of Business

Many areas of business contribute to the overall success and performance of a company. While this list isn’t all-inclusive, some of the most common fields include:

  • Accounting – tracking, analyzing and reporting financial information to help businesses make smart decisions
  • Finance – managing money, investments and financial planning to support a business’s growth
  • Human Resources – recruiting, developing and supporting employees to build a strong and effective workforce
  • Information Systems – combining technology and data to improve efficiency and support smarter decisions
  • Marketing – identifying customer needs and promoting products or services to drive awareness and sales
  • Supply Chain Management – overseeing the production and delivery of goods to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness

How BYU Independent Study Can Help

BYU Independent Study offers several introductory business courses to help you build a strong foundation and advance your career path. Because you can work at your own pace on your own timetable, you can balance work, school and other responsibilities while getting ahead.

Some of the business courses offered through BYU Independent Study include:

  • ACC 200 – Principles of Accounting
  • GSCM 211 - Introduction to Supply Chain Management in International Business
  • HRM 300 – Organizational Behavior
  • IS 201 – Introduction to Information Systems
  • MKTG 201 – Marketing Management
  • MSB 250 – Financial Management
  • And many more!

With BYU Independent Study, you can gain valuable knowledge in key business fields while maintaining flexibility in your schedule. Whether you’re preparing for a business major or simply exploring new interests, these courses can help you take meaningful steps toward your future.

Introducing Biblical Hebrew from BYU Independent Study

Media Team. Feb 27, 2026

3 min read

Explore the Hebrew Bible with greater clarity and depth. This three-part, non-credit series introduces the language behind the Old Testament, inviting both mind and spirit into deeper engagement with God’s Word.

Three Non-credit Courses. One Transformative Journey.

  • Learn the foundations of Biblical Hebrew, beginning with the alphabet and vowel system
  • Read biblical texts with growing confidence and understanding
  • Gain richer spiritual and textual insight by engaging Scripture in its original language
  • Earn digital badges and a certificate of completion

 

Course 1: Aleph-Bet

Learn the Hebrew alphabet, master vowel points, and break words into syllables. Begin reading simple biblical texts with confidence.

Course 2: Building Understanding

Strengthen your grasp of grammar, prepositions, adjective agreement, and key verb forms. Translate Scripture with greater clarity and insight.

Course 3: Reading with Confidence

Read and interpret biblical texts more independently while deepening theological understanding and spiritual insight.

 

What to Know Before You Begin

  • Designed for beginners. No prerequisites or prior Hebrew experience required
  • $115 per course, fully online
  • 14-day full refund guarantee
  • Start anytime and learn at your own pace
  • Offered for professional development as non-degree credit
  • Earn a digital micro-credential badge for each completed course
  • Complete all three courses to receive a certificate of completion

 

Begin a deeper encounter with Scripture today.

Don’t Let College Life Scare You: BYU Independent Study Is Here to Help

Zachary Halliday. Feb 27, 2026

3 min read

College can feel like a scary next step in your journey.

Heavy course loads, challenging papers and exams, extracurricular activities, meeting new people and trying new things are all real situations you may face. Even living on your own can be a brand-new experience. Tack on the pressure of figuring out your career path, and it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone.

College campuses offer many resources to support you, including mentoring and tutoring services, libraries, professors, teaching assistants, counselors and friends. These are all valuable sources of guidance and direction.

In addition to these resources, one of the best ways to stay motivated, learn new skills and refine your career goals is through BYU Independent Study’s flexible online courses.

Prepare with BYU Independent Study

BYU Independent Study offers self-paced courses designed to help you build a strong academic and professional foundation as you navigate your next steps. Because you can work at your own pace, it’s easier to balance school, work, your social life and other responsibilities while adjusting to college life.

Some of the student development courses offered through BYU Independent Study include:

  • STDEV 109 – Effective Study and Learning
  • STDEV 117 – Career Exploration
  • STDEV 143 – Science and Practice of Positive Living
  • STDEV 150 – Public Speaking

College doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the right tools. No matter where you are in your college journey, BYU Independent Study helps you move forward with confidence.

New Share Cart Feature

Abi Edwards. Feb 24, 2026

1 min read

Our new Share Cart tool makes it easier than ever for high school counselors to communicate accurate course recommendations to families.

With Share Cart, you can quickly build a customized course list and share it through a single link. Parents can see exactly what their student needs without back-and-forth emails or secondhand instructions. It keeps everyone organized, reduces confusion, and makes enrollment smoother for both families and counselors.

How it Works:

  1. Add the courses your student needs to your shopping cart.
  2. When you’re ready, proceed to checkout and select the “Share Cart” link located in the right-hand column.
  3. From there, you can choose how to share the cart:
    • Send the cart link directly to a parent by email, or
    • Copy the link and share it yourself.
  4. Once shared, parents receive a simple email with a direct link to the exact cart you created. The link takes them straight to checkout, making it easy to review the selected courses and complete enrollment quickly and confidently.

Proctor Application

STEP 1 of 4

  • Step 1
  • Step 2

Organization Information

This should be the name as it appears on the mailing address or existing BYU Independent Study certification records (if other proctors are already registered with BYU Independent Study).
Mailing address in full. If international or campus-specific, please provide all identifying information required for mail to arrive.
If your organization has a website, help us out by providing it's address here.

Applicant Information

Your position at the organization.
Your official business phone with area code (and dialing prefixes where appropriate).
How would you like to administer exams?
If you would like to be able to proctor both online and paper exams check both boxes.
Are you willing to proctor students outside your school or organization?
If you are willing to accept appointments from unknown students, select "yes".
Will you charge a fee to proctor exams?
Do you require appointments?

Do test takers need to call and request an appointment with you before they take their test?

Still have questions?

Feel free to reach out—we will be happy to help.

  (800) 914-8931

 

Contact Us

Volunteer Test Reader Agreement

At times, during the interactive process, a student may propose and be granted an accommodation that consists of or includes a friend or family member volunteering to serve as a human Test Reader. The Test Reader may read all text and clarify exam directions. The Reader is never permitted to guide the student to any answers. The Test Reader is never permitted to reword or clarify any test questions. Doing so will result in the test being flagged for academic integrity and may result in a failing grade being issued.

The student must take the exam with automated online proctoring (e.g. Examity, Meazure Learning, Honorlock), live online proctoring (e.g. Adobe Connect, Zoom), or live in-person proctor. The student needs to provide at least a one-week notice before each exam in order for our testing center to prepare for the accommodation.

The Test Reader providing the reading service must be the person who matches the person on this contract. If a different Test Reader is needed, the substitute Test Reader must read, review, understand, and sign a Volunteer Test Reader Agreement at least one week prior to the test session. Please contact the accommodations team at byuceaccommodations@byu.edu for more information.

If the student elects to take the exam with an automated online proctoring format, the Test Reader must show a current government issued ID at the beginning of the test and remain in view of the camera at all times.

If the Test Reader is different from the live proctor, the Test Reader should show a current government issued ID to the live proctor at the beginning of the test.

This Volunteer Test Reader Agreement is valid for one year from the date submitted.

FERPA Policy

Student education records for students enrolled in BYU Independent Study are generally accessible to the parents of minor students (and, where applicable, to students over the age of 18, i.e., “eligible students”) according to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). BYU has adopted Access to Student Records Procedures that explain in detail the rights of parents and eligible students relating to their education records. 

The following explains these rights, summarizes the procedures for exercising those rights, and describes student directory information that may be disclosed to the public without the parents’ or eligible students’ consent. 

Parents of students (and eligible students) enrolled in classes through BYU Independent Study generally have the right to: 

  1. Inspect and review education records pertaining to the student within a reasonable period of time upon submitting a written request to BYU Independent Study, with proof of identification, specifying the records to be inspected. The program will notify the requester of the time and place the records may be inspected. 
  2. Petition BYU Independent Study to amend or correct any part of the education record believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Requests should be submitted in writing to BYU Independent Study, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the program decides not to amend the record as requested, BYU Independent Study will notify the requestor of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided when notified of the right to a hearing. 
  3. Control the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education record, except as otherwise authorized by law. Examples of exceptions to consent for disclosure include:  
  • Access to education records by school officials and agents having a legitimate educational interest in the records. This category generally includes any school official or agent who accesses student education records for the purpose of performing a task or responsibility relating to his or her employment or professional responsibility at BYU. These individuals may include faculty, administration, staff, and other agents or contractors of BYU Independent Study who manage student education record information. 
  • Upon request, BYU will disclose education records or information without consent to officials of another school to which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or to a school in which the student is currently enrolled. 
  1. File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if it is believed BYU has failed to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C.20202-4605. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ 

 

DIRECTORY INFORMATION 

BYU Independent Study has designated the following student information as directory information that it may disclose to third parties without consent of the parents (or of eligible students). 

 

for BYU Independent Study High School courses 

  • Name 
  • Grade level 
  • Dates of attendance 

 

for BYU Independent Study University courses 

  • Name 
  • Unique Personal Identifiers (BYU ID, Net ID, Person ID, CMIS ID) 
  • Addresses and telephone numbers 
  • E-mail address 
  • Month, day and place of birth 
  • Names of parents or spouse 
  • Major and minor fields of study 
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports 
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams 
  • Pictures 
  • Dates of attendance (current and past) 
  • Number of months/semesters enrolled 
  • Class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.) 
  • Enrollment status (full-time, part-time, less than half-time) 
  • Degrees and awards received 
  • Previous educational institutions attended 
  • Dates of employment and job title for student employment positions 
  • Anticipated future enrollments 
  • Course registrations prior to the beginning of a semester/term 
  • Expected date of graduation 
  • Deferred registration eligibility 

 

Parents and eligible students have the right to restrict disclosure of the above directory information. To request restriction of disclosure, you must submit a written request to BYU Independent Study. This restriction will remain until you specifically rescind it in writing. 

Student contact information is, by default, unlisted. Unlisted information should not be shared without written consent.  

Directory information is not provided to third parties in the form of mailing lists or labels. 

Departments or colleges requesting mailing list information or other directory information may do so by contacting the Registrar’s Office. Departments or colleges should provide a written request with the signature of the dean, department chair, or director explaining the need for the information and how it will be used.

 

View FERPA permission request form

Finding Flexibility and Confidence: Brookie’s Success Story

Ashlyn Edwards. Feb 3, 2026

3 min read

For BYU student Brookie, finding the right path to graduation meant discovering a program that fit her life, not the other way around. Now completing her bachelor’s degree in general studies, she has learned firsthand how important flexibility can be in a busy university schedule.

Because of the structure of her major, Brookie’s course options are limited to night classes on campus and BYU Independent Study courses. While she previously attended classes during the day, she quickly realized how much she appreciated the added freedom that Independent Study offered.

“I can choose to do multiple assignments in one week, or take a break for a few days.”

That ability to personalize her pace has made all the difference.

A Smooth Start and an Even Better Experience

When Brookie began her first BYU IS course, she was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get started. She explained that both the BYU Independent Study website and Canvas were simple to navigate, giving her the confidence she needed to dive in.

She found that reviewing each course syllabus helped her understand expectations upfront, something that set her up for success from the very beginning.

Now enrolled in her third BYU IS course, Brookie says:

“They’re the most well-organized classes I’ve had.”

A Program That Fits Her Learning Style

For Brookie, Independent Study isn’t just convenient, it’s genuinely effective. The format, structure, and flexibility all support the way she learns best.

She would happily recommend BYU IS to others in similar situations, and expressed:

“I wish I’d taken more BYU IS classes sooner.”
“It just works for my learning style.”

Brookie’s Advice for Future Independent Study Students

With experience and success under her belt, Brookie offers one key piece of advice to anyone taking Independent Study classes:

Create a system to stay on track.

Whether it’s a digital calendar, a planner, or another organizational tool, having a way to monitor deadlines and hold yourself accountable is essential.

Brookie’s journey is a reminder that students succeed when they have options that adapt to their needs. BYU Independent Study is proud to support learners like her, students building confidence, pursuing goals, and shaping an academic path that truly works for them.

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