William Mitchell College of Law - Independent Research Independent Research Projects may be done for 0 to 4 credits. All projects taken for credit are letter graded. A student may do a maximum of two projects totaling 4 credits during his or her law school career. A student may not register for an independent study prior to receiving approval from both the supervising professor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Purpose Independent study credit is granted only for studies that involve topics not discussed in courses offered by William Mitchell, or for studies that explore in considerable depth topics covered in courses already completed.
Independent studies are rigorous and time-consuming.
All studies must include in-depth legal research, original analysis, and a written work product. No approval will be given for a program of research undertaken for another activity such as a seminar for which credit has previously been received. Some studies approved in the past have included empirical research or other forms of creative research appropriate for intellectual study. Studies that are merely surveys of existing law are not appropriate for independent research credit and will not be approved. A student must devote considerable thought and research before submitting a proposal to the supervising professor and to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.