Instruction for Independent Research/Independent Writing Project Request:
Please fill out ALL fields on the reverse side of this form. Your request will not be processed and you will
not be enrolled for the requested units unless all information has been filled in correctly. You will need to
discuss the project with your supervising faculty member and request that the professor sign where
indicated on this form. Once the form is complete, submit this form to the Registrar’s Office for the
Dean’s approval. Once the project has been approved, the Registrar’s Office will enroll you for the units
and provide you with a copy of this signed form.
Grading Option:
You must select either to have this project graded or non-graded. The graded option will result in a letter
grade with grade points associated with it and will be calculated into your cumulative GPA. The non-
graded option results in either a “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” grade which will have no bearing on
your GPA. The grading option is your choice but the professor must approve your selection. Regardless
of the grading option selected, the units received will be included in the 16 unit maximum on elective
courses as outlined in paragraph 1.4(B)(3) of the Law School Regulations.
Project being undertaken in connection with another course or seminar:
Your request to receive additional credit for work you complete in a course or seminar will not alter the
information for the course or seminar as listed on your student schedule. The unit value will remain the
same for the course you are enrolled in. This additional unit will be added to your transcript as “Law 419”
or “Law 499” and considered an Independent Project and will be included in the 16 unit maximum on
elective courses as outlined in paragraph 1.4(B)(3) of the Law School Regulations.
Unit/Page Length Guidelines:
The approval of this request is dependent on several factors. The Dean will review your topic and
evaluate the work required for completion of the written project. The page length applies to only the
personally authored written work completed by the student. Footnotes and endnotes do not count toward
meeting the page requirement in the case of Law 419 and, at the discretion of the professor, may not
count toward meeting the page requirement of Law 499. The Dean has final approval on the terms and
requirements for all Independent Research/Writing Projects.