Enrollment Process

To enroll in Directed Research or Directed Reading, a student must:

• Identify a faculty member to supervise the project.
• Complete the Directed Research/Directed Reading Form.
• Obtain the faculty advisor’s signature on the form.
• Email the signed form to academicaffairs@law.wisc.edu for final approval.

Upon approval, Academic Affairs will send the student enrollment instructions via email.

Credit Requirements

Please note the following credit policies:

• One credit of Directed Research of Directed Reading requires 45 hours of associated work.
• A maximum of six (6) credits of Directed Research may be applied toward the JD degree.
• A maximum of eight (8) credits of Directed Reading may be applied toward the JD degree.
• A single Directed Reading course may not exceed 3 credits.
• Credits earned through Directed Research or Directed Reading count only toward the 90-credit rule, not the 64-credit or 60-credit rules.

Time for Completion

Unless otherwise agreed upon with the instructor, Directed Research and Directed Reading projects shall be completed no later than the end of the final exam period during the fall and spring semesters, and no later than the degree conferral date for a summer session. 

Grading

Directed Research and Directed Reading are graded on a mandatory pass-fail basis (S/U grading).

For complete information, please refer to Law School Rule 3.13.