Is it accetable to request independent-study for graduate courses which are cancelled? I am enrolled in a new hybrid Business/Mathematics graduate program at a small liberal arts college in the Pacific NW. Since last fall, I have completed 6 of the 12 courses required to obtain my MSc. These were mostly business courses. Now I am at the point where I need to take my mathematics courses in advanced statistical topics.

My intention was to complete the program in 2 years (as per discussions with my admissions counselor), but my advisor has now told me that given the low enrollment, I may be looking at 3+ years to graduate.

Does this situation seem acceptable? I would like to approach a dean regarding this to see if these courses can be offered 1-on-1 or guided-study so that I may graduate in a reasonable amount of time, but am not sure what is the norm in this situation. 

To note: 


There are roughly 10 students in the program. There is no "cohort",
and most of the students take only one course per semester, as that
is what their employer will cover. Because of this, it is unlikely
that these students will drive significant enrollment to these
advanced courses in the near future.
This is an accredited college. The program is unaccredited (it is not a typically offered program at many colleges). However, all of the other graduate programs offered at the college are accredited.
Talking to a dean is probably not the place to start.  Independent study should normally be arranged directly between a student and a professor, so it'd be best to start by identifying a professor you'd like to work with - typically this should be someone who's taught the course before - and asking them whether they'd be willing to supervise you in an independent version of the course.

However, independent study is typically not "compensated" the same as regular teaching.  This varies between institutions, but it's quite possible that the professor would have to work with you on top of all her existing teaching, research and service responsibilities, without it increasing her pay or performance ratings.  As such, don't be too surprised if no professor will agree to do it - it's not that they're being mean or uncaring, just that the incentive structure does not make it worthwhile.

If you can't find any professor willing, then you could consider approaching a dean or department chair who may be able to pressure them a little.  But I still wouldn't be too hopeful.  Using independent study to compensate for cancelled courses is a pretty unsustainable model for the university.

At this point, it would be wise to look into the possibility of doing your masters somewhere else, and seeing if at least some of your credits can be transferred.  A program this small may be at risk of being cancelled altogether before you can finish.