Student Initiated Courses

Student Initiated Courses (SICs) are undergraduate activity courses—component code ACT—that are initiated by undergraduate student(s) and sponsored by faculty member(s).

Students can learn more about the process and requirements for SICs on the Student Initiated Courses page on the Stanford Bulletin.

This Inside Student Services page (Stanford sign-in required) contains more information about SICs for faculty and staff only.

Training for students with instructional roles in SICs

CTL provides training and support for students with instructional roles in SICs. CTL recommends the following:

• TA Orientation: TAs and SIC student instructors have significant overlapping responsibilities and need to be familiar with the same guidance and policies. TA Orientation is offered quarterly in-person and in a self-paced online format, TAO Any Time.
• (Re)Designing Your Course: a self-paced Canvas course that guides students involved in helping to design SICs on sound practices in course design.
• Follow-up Consultation: After investigating the resources above, students with instructional roles in SICs are welcome to request a consultation to address any remaining questions.

If a student needs documentation of training to provide to their faculty sponsor or department, they may contact CTL at ctl-stanford@stanford.edu to request it.