A review examined briefly the past, present, and the probable future of independent study in the United States. The review considered the historical position of correspondence study, the factors that support the concept of independent study, and the trends now favoring distance education as a broader and more viable construct. It focused on the organization and place of the Division of Independent Study as a professional membership unit of the National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA). The review reached two conclusions: (1) there are both benefits and disadvantages for the independent study professional in NUCEA with the benefits greatly outweighing the hazards; and (2) the increasing use of technology in education will force changes in both traditional education and independent study. The effect will be to blur distinctions, and independent study will benefit from the positive reception generally given to distance education. The study recommended that NUCEA should replace "Independent Study" with "Distance Education" in that division's titles and efforts; that the division should inform its members on opportunities for using commercial supplements or leased courses involving nonprint media; and that the Division of Independent Study should work more closely with other NUCEA divisions. (KC)