LAW 799TUT - Independent Study

An upper-class student who wishes to pursue a special research interest under the guidance of a law school faculty member may earn up to three credit hours for an independent research and writing project. Students undertaking independent research will meet periodically with the faculty member supervising the research for discussion, review, and evaluation of the research project. An adjunct faculty member cannot serve as the exclusive supervisor of an independent study. The finished written product must be comparable in scope and quality to a student note or comment in a law review or social science journal. In order to register for an independent study project the student must prepare a written research proposal approved by the supervising faculty member and obtain this faculty member’s signature on the Independent Study form. This form can be found on the Records website or in the Records Office. The proposed study must be one that requires substantial investment of time and effort and results in a significant work that makes an original contribution to the understanding of law or reflects pursuit of a specialized interest of a student not covered in standard offerings in the curriculum. With faculty approval an independent study may count for seminar credit. The independent study program may not be used to earn credit for work performed as a research assistant or in an internship, an externship, or a clinic. Students are allowed to register for one independent study while in the law school. In very limited circumstances, a student may continue work on an independent research project in a later semester for up to three additional credit hours, such as where continuation of work on the paper will facilitate publication of an independent research paper or allow completion of an ambitious social science research project. Expansion of an independent study project requires a request by the supervising faculty member and approval of the Vice Dean for Student Affairs.

Credits: 1-6