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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Caroline, a high school freshman from Haines, Alaska, balances a demanding schedule of academics and athletics throughout the year. From volleyball and swimming in the fall to basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring, staying organized and managing her time is essential.

With such a full schedule, Caroline needed a course that offered both flexibility and structure. She found that balance through BYU Independent Study. Drawn to World Geography because of her interest in travel and understanding the world, she enrolled knowing she could work at a pace that fit her commitments.

The online course format allowed Caroline to plan ahead during busier seasons. She appreciated being able to work ahead when time allowed and slow down when practices and competitions increased. This flexibility helped her stay on track while continuing to take responsibility for her learning.

Caroline especially enjoyed learning how societies and people shape geography, gaining a deeper understanding of the world around her. The course challenged her to think critically and independently—skills that will support her future academic goals.

As she looks ahead to college and a possible career in marine biology or athletic training, Caroline feels confident in the learning habits she is building now. For families considering BYU Independent Study, her advice is simple: “Just do it. It was amazing for me, and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Caroline’s experience shows how BYU Independent Study supports motivated students with rigorous academics, flexible pacing, and the independence needed to succeed in high school and beyond.

People have always relied on stories to understand the world around them. Whether you follow the news to stay informed, make sense of current events, or feel inspired by the actions of others, you’ve likely consumed thousands of news stories in your lifetime. But have you ever wanted to join the conversation?

So What Exactly Does a Journalist Do?

There are many kinds of journalists, such as news writers, anchors, reporters, podcasters, producers, and editors. No matter their role, they’re all driven by a desire to inform the public. Journalists work to create accurate, truthful content that is independent and fair. They also strive to present information in engaging ways that allow audiences to form their own opinions.

Education and Training Requirements

While it’s possible to enter journalism without formal training, most journalists begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. During school, students gain hands-on experience through campus newsrooms, internships, and student media outlets.

After graduation, aspiring journalists continue building skills in writing, interviewing, technology, and storytelling through entry-level roles. As they gain experience and move into larger markets, they often take on more complex and high-impact stories.

How BYU Independent Study Can Help

BYU Independent Study offers flexible, self-paced courses that help you build a strong foundation in writing, media literacy, and mass communication—key skills for future journalists. Because it is flexible and self-paced, BYU IS makes it easy for you to balance internships, school, and other responsibilities as you work toward your bachelor’s degree. Some of the journalism-related and mass communication courses offered through BYU include:

• COMMS 101 – Mass Communication and Society
• COMMS 300 – Media Ethics, Law, and Responsibility
• COMMS 411 – Media Effects
• COMMS 482 – Religion, Media, and Society
• WRTG 150 – Writing and Rhetoric

Next Steps

After completing courses through Independent Study, your next steps typically include finishing your bachelor's degree, gaining meaningful experience with your campus newsroom or an internship, and seeking relevant entry-level positions. Each of these steps will help you build the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding needed to tell important stories and serve the public through journalism.

Do you or someone you know see a therapist or counselor? For many people today, the answer is yes.

Life presents many challenges, and navigating them alone isn’t always easy. As more people recognize the value of therapeutic support, mental health professionals are in higher demand than ever.

What Do Mental Health Professionals Do?

The term mental health professional encompasses a wide range of licensed practitioners, including counselors, therapists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. Through various forms of therapy, assessment, and guidance, these professionals help individuals improve their emotional well-being, manage mental health conditions, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Education and Training Requirements

Education and training requirements vary by career path, but most mental health professionals follow a similar progression:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field
• Complete a master’s program and supervised clinical hours
• Apply for state licensure

Some specializations, such as clinical psychology, also require a doctoral degree (PsyD or PhD).

How BYU Independent Study Can Help

BYU Independent Study (IS) offers flexible, self-paced courses that help you build a strong foundation for a bachelor’s degree in psychology and prepare for graduate education. With BYU IS’s flexible, self-paced format, you can work on the prerequisites you need while balancing school, work, or other responsibilities. Some of the psychology courses offered through BYU IS include:

• PSYCH 111 – Introduction to Psychological Science
• PSYCH 210 – History of Psychology
• PSYCH 220 – Human Development: Life Span
• PSYCH 307 – Writing Within Psychology
• PSYCH 308 – Psychological Statistics
• PSYCH 310 - Psychological Research Design and Analysis
• PSYCH 320 – Child Development
• PSYCH 338 – Sport Psychology
• PSYCH 341 – Personality
• PSYCH 342 – Psychopathology
• PSYCH 350 – Introduction to Social Psychology
• PSYCH 358 – Leadership Development
• PSYCH 381 – Behavioral Neurobiology

Completing foundational psychology coursework is an important first step toward a career in mental health.

Next Steps

After completing courses through BYU IS, your next steps typically include finishing your bachelor’s degree, gaining meaningful experience through volunteer or clinical work, and preparing to apply to graduate programs for your master’s degree. Taking these steps can move you closer to a meaningful career where you support others, strengthen communities, and make a lasting impact.