Research Requirements for M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture

About the M.A. Research Essay

25-40 pages
While incorporating original research and primary documents, these may not form the core of the work if there is strong analysis and discussion of secondary sources.
Carried out through Research Capstone or under faculty supervision.
Represents a strong understanding of the field and an original and insightful interpretation of it.
Reflects the workload of one one-term graduate course for 4.0 credits.
Takes approximately four months.
Reviewed for approval by the supervisor and the graduate director, in consultation with the graduate committee.
May or may not be publishable.
Particularly valuable for students who:
- Have a wide range of scholarly interests and do not feel strongly drawn to a single topic
- Do not plan a future research career and would rather develop general writing and analytical skills

75-100 pages
Based on original research using primary sources (e.g. – documents, interviews, raw data, etc.).
Original theoretically filling clear gap in existing literature.
Designed, researched and written with regular consultations of the thesis adviser and faculty committee.
Represents a distinct and original contribution to the field.
Reflects the workload of at least two one-term graduate courses, each for 4.0 credits.
Takes approximately eight months, but this varies considerably according to a wide range of factors.
Defended before a formal thesis committee.
As a distinct contribution to the field, should be publishable if it can be summarized into article length.
Particularly valuable for students who:
- Strongly wish to study a particular topic in depth using primary resources
- Want to undertake a major piece of research to prepare themselves for eventual JD or Ph.D. studies
- Do not plan to proceed to the Ph.D. and seek a final research experience as a culmination of their academic career