This page contains abbreviated information about the LL.M. Written Work Requirement, including the Winter Term Writing Program. Full details can be found in the Graduate Program Handbook.
For information on writing resources and other support for LL.M.s, visit Graduate Program Academic Resources.
The Written Work Requirement
The LL.M. Written Work Requirement, as outlined in the HLS Handbook of Academic Policies, is a requisite for completion of the LL.M. degree. To fulfill this requirement, LL.M. students must complete a paper that involves independent reflection, formulation of a sustained argument, and in-depth research. Students who hold J.D. degrees from a law school in the U.S. write a 50-page paper; students with law degrees from outside the U.S. may write a 25-page or 50-page paper.
| 25-Page Paper | 50-Page Paper | |
| In conjunction (with a course or seminar that already requires a paper) | 0 credits | 1 credit |
| Independent (of a course or seminar) | 1 credit | 2 credits |
Students may write their papers independently or in conjunction with a course or seminar, and must have a faculty supervisor for their papers. Writing completed in conjunction with a course must be supervised by the instructor of the course. Independent paper writers may ask any Harvard Law School faculty member or instructor with a Harvard Law School teaching appointment to supervise written work. They may also choose to join a Faculty-led Writing Group. For more information, review the Graduate Program Handbook.
The Written Work Requirement cannot be satisfied with a series of shorter papers or journal entries, works of joint authorship, moot court briefs, or clinical work product. As the foregoing list of exclusions is not exhaustive, students should confirm with the Graduate Program that the proposed format for their required written work meets the requirement.
How to Register Required Writing
LL.M. students must register for the Written Work Requirement by receiving approval and a signature from their faculty supervisor and submitting the registration form to the Graduate Program.
Information for the 2026-2027 academic year:
- LL.M. Written Work Registration Form
- Registration Deadlines
- Fall Term: October 30, 2026
- Spring Term: February 8, 2027
- Deadlines for Submission of LL.M. Required Writing:
- Fall Term: December 4, 2026
- Spring Term/Final Due Date: April 23, 2027
The LL.M. Writing Program and the S.J.D. Writing Advisors support students in developing their research and writing skills.
Winter Term Writing Program
LL.M. students who wish to devote the winter term exclusively to pursuing their research and writing on a single piece of written work worth at least two credits may apply to the Winter Term Writing Program. Students must be in residence, not doing a winter term course. Please see the Graduate Program Handbook for more detailed information about the Winter Term Writing Program.
Information for the 2026-2027 academic year (coming soon):
- LL.M. Winter Term Writing Program Application Form
- Instructions for LL.M. Students
- Guidelines for HLS Faculty Supervisors of LL.M. Students for the Winter Writing Program
Optional Written Work
In addition to the Written Work Requirement, all students have the option of doing additional written work for credit. With the agreement of the instructor, a student may do such optional written work for additional credit related to a law school seminar or course, or on an independent basis with law school faculty supervision. These are excellent opportunities for pursuing topics in depth, for exploring issues beyond the formal curriculum, for developing publishable scholarship, and for tailoring the law school experience to the student’s personal interests.
Students must register for Optional Written Work by submitting the required registration form and proposal to the faculty supervisor for approval in advance and then to the Graduate Program by October 30, 2026 for fall term and by February 8, 2027 for spring term.