An investigation was conducted for the purpose of creating a valid and reliable instrument that could serve the Nova University ( Florida) Programs for Higher Education (PHE) central administrative and field staff in counseling new field-based doctoral students who have exhibited less positive or negative attitudes toward independent learning. Adult educational leaders were canvassed for advice on assessment instruments and strategy development. The components that make up a high independent learning style were first determined and eventually combined with attitude items (about 8 per component) to create the initial 79 item "Student Survey" instrument used to assess student attitudes toward independent learning. The completed survey given to 167 students (71% responded) was revealed, through factor analysis, to have construct validity. A final instrument, Adult Attitudes Toward Independent Learning Scale, was also shown to have a reliability coefficient of .94 using the Guttman split-half method. Recommendations were made for administering these assessment surveys during various student academic years and developing methods for determining predictive validity as well as detailed procedures to identify those students who hold low or negative attitudes toward independent learning. Appropriate interventions were encouraged in dealing with students with negative attitudes toward independent learning. Contains 61 references and the survey instruments are appended. (GLR)