III. Substantial Writing Courses
Substantial writing courses provide a rigorous writing experience in a legal context in conformity with ABA Standard 303. Factors considered in evaluating rigor include the number and nature of writing projects, the form and extent of individualized assessment, and the number of drafts required. (ABA Interpretation 303-2).
Meeting the Requirement
There are a number of ways to meet the substantial writing course requirement, including through designated courses and faculty supervised independent writing credit. For a list of designated courses each semester, check course descriptions in CourseLink.
Independent Writing & Law Review
Students wishing to enroll in law review writing or independent research for writing credit must submit a completed application to the Registrar's Office in the semester they plan to begin the project. Please note:
- Special add/drop deadlines apply for independent writing.
- Three-credit independent writing projects must be approved by the Vice Dean.
- Upon completion, the faculty member must submit the final grade along with a signed Supervised Writing Completion form and a copy of the student paper.
Access all forms here.
Courses That Do Not Satisfy the Requirement
- One-credit courses do not satisfy the writing requirement.
- Courses about research and writing techniques do not satisfy the writing requirement.
Important Limitations
- No course may satisfy more than one of the three distribution requirements.
- Only nine externship credits may be counted towards the minimum 88 credits required for graduation.
Select courses and clinics may satisfy either the skills or the writing requirement. Students must select which requirement is satisfied at the beginning of the semester.
Skills or Writing Requirements – Miami Law Clinics
Year-Long Clinics
(Fall: Writing, Spring: Skills — each semester counts for one requirement)
- Children and Youth Law Clinic
- Environmental Justice Clinic
- Human Rights Clinic
- Health Rights Clinic
- Immigration Clinic
- Investor Rights Clinic
Semester-Long or Summer Clinics
(Skills or Writing — students elect which requirement the course satisfies)
Semester-Long Clinics
(Skills Only)
- Bankruptcy Clinic
- Startup Clinic
For More Information
