Upper-Level Writing Requirement
As a requirement for graduation from the Washington College of Law, JD students must satisfy the Upper Level Writing Requirement (ULWR) after completing the first year of study.
The ULWR ensures that prior to graduation, a JD student shall have demonstrated competency in legal writing and research by writing, under faculty supervision, a product that is single-authored, original, well-written, analytical, and properly supported by citation.
View and download ULWR FAQs.
View and download ULWR Process.
View and download ULWR Certification of Compliance Form.
View and download the full Upper-Level Writing Requirement Policy.
THe following POLICY APPLIES TO THE JD CLASSES ENTERING IN FALL 2016 AND FORWARD
The ULWR is fulfilled by writing a document or series of documents of at least 7,000 words, excluding footnotes.
The document must be written in connection with a law school activity of at least two credit hours, and supervised by a faculty member who has approved the writing project in advance and approves the final product.
This written work also must demonstrate proficiency in writing and analysis; incorporate adequate original research; and the student must earn a grade of B or better or, if satisfied through an option that does not provide grades (such as a law journal), be eligible for a grade of B or better for the course or academic activity with which the work is associated.