Directed Research and Directed Studies enable students to pursue a depth of knowledge in a discrete subject tailored to the professional and intellectual interests of the student.
A student may either (1) develop a thesis and research agenda, culminating in a significant academic research paper (Directed Research Project – Track 1); or (2) conduct research in conjunction with a faculty member without writing a significant academic research paper (Directed Studies Project – Track 2).
Directed Research – Track 1 (Graded or Pass/Fail)
Direct Research is appropriate for students interested in developing a thesis and research agenda culminating in a significant academic research paper. Directed Research Projects may be pursued on topics not regularly offered as a course in the College of Law, or on topics that the student wishes to pursue in greater depth than course coverage would ordinarily permit.
Directed Research Project Guidelines:
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- Students must engage in Legal research, empirical research, and/or substantial tutorial discussion; and produce one or more substantial and scholarly works.
- A Directed Research Project may be used to satisfy the Seminar Paper requirement when the Project is graded, approved as a Seminar substitute, and otherwise fulfills all requirements for a Seminar Paper.
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Directed Research Credit Hour Requirements:
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- Students must register for at least one, but no more than three, credit hours per Directed Research Project.
- Students may not register for more than one Directed Research Project per semester.
- A student may register for a two-semester Directed Research Project of up to six credit hours with a single project proposal.
- Subject to faculty and Associate Dean approval, Directed Research Projects may be graded or taken on a pass/fail basis. Directed Research Projects used to satisfy the Seminar Paper requirement must be graded.
- Students may not count more than six credit hours of Directed Research, Directed Studies, or a combination of those two toward graduation.
- Students must complete approximately 50 hours of work for each Directed Research credit hour.
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Directed Research Limitations:
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- A Directed Research Project may not be used as a substitute for a regularly offered course the student has not taken, even if the course is full.
- Directed Research may not be used as a mechanism for teaching or research assistance absent independent educational value to the student.
- A Directed Research Project may not fulfill the College of Law experiential requirement or consist primarily of skills-based work.
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Direct Research Registration:
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- The student must identify a full-time faculty member who will oversee their Directed Research Project; and
- Submit the Directed Research & Studies form.
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Once the Directed Research & Studies form has been submitted, it will be forwarded to the supervising faculty member and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval. Once approved, the Registrar will enroll the student.
Directed Studies – Track 2 (Pass/Fail ONLY)
Directed Studies is appropriate for students who desire to explore a particular aspect of a subject while learning research skills, but without completing a significant academic research paper.
Directed Studies Project Guidelines:
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- Directed Studies Projects may be pursued on topics not regularly offered as a course in the College of Law, or on topics the student wishes to pursue in greater depth than course coverage would ordinarily permit.
- Directed Studies Projects may be on topics for which the supervising faculty member conducts research or produces scholarship, including research conducted with a faculty member.
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Directed Studies Credit Hour Requirements:
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- Students must register for at least one, but no more than two, credit hours per Directed Studies Project.
- Students may not count more than six credit hours of Directed Research, Directed Studies, or a combination of those two toward graduation.
- Directed Studies Projects may not satisfy the Seminar Paper requirement.
- Directed Studies Projects must be taken on a pass/fail basis.
- Students should complete approximately 50 hours of work for each Directed Studies credit hour.
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Direct Studies Registration:
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- The student must identify a full-time faculty member who will oversee their Directed Studies Project; and
- Submit the Directed Research & Studies form.
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Once the Directed Research & Studies form has been submitted, it will be forwarded to the supervising full faculty member and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval. Once approved, the Registrar will enroll the student.