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Required Upper Level Writing Seminar Course

To earn a J.D. degree a student must complete with a grade of at least C one course designated as an Upper Level Writing Seminar* course, in addition to the other J.D. Degree Requirements.

The Upper Level Writing Seminar Requirement may be satisfied through one of the following Upper Level Writing Seminar course options:

1. Successful completion with a grade of C or better of a Research Seminar (Courses designated as "ULWR") (2 or 3 credits).

2.  Successful completion with a grade of C or better of an Advanced Legal Writing Seminar (Courses designated as "AULWR") (2 or 3 credits).

3. Successful completion with a grade of C or better of an Individual Research and Writing Seminar (ULWR 996) (2 or 3 credits).

A student may not register for more than one Individual Research and Writing Seminar (ULWR 996)Individual Research and Writing Seminar (ULWR 996) credits are subject to the Credit Cap for Study Outside the Classroom.  A student must enroll in Individual Research and Writing Seminar (ULWR 996)  for at least two and no more than three credits.  Students must complete the approval process outlined in the policy Required Upper Level Writing Seminar Course Policy.  The law school Registrar will enroll approved students in this course.

Details regarding each of the Upper Level Writing Seminar course options outlined above can be found in the Required Upper Level Writing Seminar Course Policy.

Current courses meeting the Upper-Level Writing Seminar Requirement

Important Note Related to the Honor Code: A student may not earn academic credit more than once for the same or similar work (“double-dipping”).  For example, a student may not submit the same or similar work to satisfy the requirements for membership on a law journal and for credit in a Research Seminar (ULWR), Advanced Legal Writing Seminar (AULWR), Individual Research and Writing Seminar (ULWR 996), independent study (LWIND 996), or any work submitted for credit in one course for credit in another.  Law students must comply with Honor Code requirements on academic integrity.  See also Penn State Law Honor Code .

* J.D. students in the class of 2018 who satisfactorily completed a seminar ("SEM") course have met this requirement.