After attaining 30-credit hours, each student must complete a supervised rigorous writing requirement prior to graduation. This requirement may be satisfied by:
- Completing a ‘designated course’ having a rigorous writing component or a seminar course that requires a significant research paper for the final grade. Courses designated by a section of “R”.
- A writing submitted by members of The Cumberland Law Review or The Journal of Trial Advocacy and certified as publishable by the respective faculty advisor.
- A paper singled out for recognition in a writing competition and approved by the Associate Dean
- A paper written while enrolled in law school which is published in a scholarly periodical, journal or treatise and which is approved by the Associate Dean
Students are encouraged to satisfy this requirement before the end of their fifth regular semester. Students who have not completed this requirement may not successfully register for their sixth semester without enrolling in a qualifying writing course or seminar course.
A ‘designated course’ is one with the following characteristics as determined by the Associate Dean:
- Has a final exam and
- A partial final grading based upon a supervised rigorous writing component
- Carries a designation of “R” on the course section
A ‘seminar’ is a course with the following characteristics:
- An advanced topical study featuring discussions, presentations, research exchange and reports.
- Limited enrollment – no more than 20 students
- Final grade mainly based on a research writing
- Carries a designation of “R” on the course section
Directed Research credit hours may not be used in satisfying the writing requirement.
The following types of courses are also excluded from the writing requirement satisfaction:
- Skills courses where grading is primarily based upon performance simulations
- Externships
- Courses that mimic the law firm clerking experience
