Independent Study

• Independent Study must be arranged prior to the beginning of term
• Only Students ranked in the top 75% of their class are eligible.
• Submit the Independent Study Form to the Registrar by the first day of the term.

Registration policy

1. No student may take more than 2 credits during their law school career.
2. Faculty members may supervise a maximum of three independent studies per semester.
3. Students must complete at least 42 hours of research and writing for each IS credit
   • 1 credit: 15-20 page paper
   • 2 credits: 20-30 page paper
4. To initiate the study, students and supervising faculty members must complete a form contract that contains:
   • Topic statement and project description
   • Statement of student’s objective
   • Weekly meeting schedule (regular day and time)
   • Presumptive deadlines for completion of:
     • topic development
     • consultation with assigned librarian
     • bibliography of possible topic sources
     • thesis statement
     • research plan
     • outline
     • draft(s)
     • final paper
   • Credit allocation and grade or pass/fail designation
   • Signature of research librarian who will work with the student (to be assigned by Library Director)
   • Signatures of student, supervising faculty member, and associate dean (if necessary)