Not only students at Chung-Ang University but also those studying at other universities nationwide, need to complete a certain number of credits in order to graduate. These credits are typically earned through attending lectures, but there are programs where you can earn credits beyond regular classes. Let's explore on such program: the 'Professor and Student Joint Research Subject (창의학점제) ' with CAH, which not only grants credits but also allows students to explore deeply into areas of personal interest and engage in in-depth research!

What is Professor and Student Joint Research Subject?
Contents and Purposes
The Professor and Student Joint Research Subject is a program where students from various departments form teams during a semester to actively learn and engage in creative research under the guidance of an academic advisor. Research topics span across all fields of general education, including metaverse, music, philosophy, humanities, bioscience, and even foreign languages. This program allows students to construct their research freely based on their personal interests. The Professor and Student Joint Research Subject is implemented to address the increasing need for personalized educational programs that cater to students' individual interests and foster interdisciplinary knowledge and creativity in the areas of general education and foreign languages through self-directed learning. Upon completion, participants of the Professor and Student Joint Research Subject are awarded one credit under the course name "Da Vinci Academy." Additionally, outstanding teams receive certificates bearing the signature of the university president, along with scholarship grants.
Overview of the Program
The Professor and Student Joint Research Subject accepts applications each semester, and teams of around five members are formed. Each team needs to include students from a minimum of two different departments or faculties. During this process, students on leave of absence are ineligible to apply, and enrolled students can participate once per semester, with a maximum of twice total throughout their enrollment. Participants select a track type, complete and submit the corresponding application, and once selected, form a team and proceed with their studies under the guidance of an academic advisor based on the chosen track. The study sessions must be conducted for at least one hour per session and a minimum of 15 sessions in total, primarily in-person but potentially via real-time Zoom sessions when necessary. The available formats for the sessions include presentation and discussion, project-based, and a mixed format combining the two. 
The Operation Type of the Program
The Professor and Student Joint Research Subject is divided into two tracks: Track 1 and Track 2. In Track 1, participating students identify their research fields, undertake the process of inviting supervising professors, and form teams themselves. In Track 2, students who wish to participate in the research fields proposed by the supervising professors apply individually. Consequently, the team composition for Track 2 is managed by the College of General Education, and team members are selected on a first-come, first-served basis during the application period. Although the two tracks differ in format, all students are required to conduct a minimum of 15 study sessions. They need to maintain a weekly study schedule check sheet, participate in activity logs, and prepare course operation outcome reports. Participating professors also need to submit instructional guides, progress check reports, results presentation guides, and evaluation reports, regardless of the track type.
Qualification and Precautions for Credit Recognition
As mentioned earlier, while the Professor and Student Joint Research Subject allows research topics from various fields of general education, subjects related to certifications, language tests, personal hobbies, and leisure activities are not aligned with the program's intent. They therefore cannot be selected as research topics. Additionally, during study sessions, while Zoom sessions are permissible, if there is no log record of participant engagement during real-time Zoom sessions, the participation may not be recognized. For Track 1 participants, prior sharing and discussion regarding the primary responsibilities of both students and participating professors are necessary when inviting the supervising professors.

Although not widely known, the Professor and Student Joint Research Subject is a program that stands out as exceptionally useful. If you aspire to cultivate and delve into your areas of interest, or if you're looking to earn credits beyond regular lectures, why not consider applying without hesitation?