Former Grading and Grade - Point Systems

If a student began law studies at Michigan State University College of Law prior to Fall 1999 then eighty-five credits, with an average grade of not less than 2.00, are required for graduation. If a student began law studies at Michigan State University College of Law in or after Fall 1999 then eighty-eight credits, with an average grade point of not less than 2.00, are required for graduation.

Honor Points

The grades "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F" represent excellent, very good, good, inadequate, but passing and failure respectively. The grade "I" represents incomplete. It signifies that the student was unable to take the final exam for reasons beyond his/her control. The grade "W" indicates that the student withdrew. The grade "P" represents pass and the grade "F" represents fail. The notation "Au" signifies audit.

Beginning Fall 2017 honor points are assigned as follows: A+ = 4.33 A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, D- = .67, and F = 0. No credits are attached to "I", "W", "F" or "Au". A student earning the grade of "F" has failed to satisfy the requirements of the course.

Beginning Spring 2004 honor points are assigned as follows: A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, and F = 0. No credits are attached to "I", "W", "F" or "Au". A student earning the grade of "F" has failed to satisfy the requirements of the course.

Beginning Fall 2002 honor points are assigned as follows: A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, D- = .67, and F = 0. No credits are attached to "I", "W", “D-“, "F" or "Au". A student earning the grade of "D-" or "F" has failed to satisfy the requirements of the course.

Prior to Fall 2002 honor points are allowed as follows: 4 for each "A", 3.5 for each "B+", 3 for each "B", 2.5 for each "C+", 2 for each "C", 1.5 for each "D+", and 1 for each "D". No credits are attached to "I", "W", "E", "F" or "Au". For purposes of GPA computation, hours are counted only for graded courses and for those pass/fail courses in which an "F" is earned.

Grade Curves

Beginning Fall 2016, the following grading standards apply:

First year classes shall be curved around a target mean of 3.00.
1. First year classes with greater than 20 students have a permitted variance of ± 0.07 (i.e., 2.93 to 3.07).
2. First year classes with 20 or fewer students have a permitted variance of ± 0.17 (i.e., 2.83 to 3.17).
Upper level courses shall be curved around a target mean of 3.33.
1. Upper level classes with greater than 20 students have a permitted variance of ± 0.10 (i.e., 3.23 to 3.43).
2. Upper level classes with 20 or fewer students have a permitted variance of ± 0.17 (i.e., 3.16 to 3.50).
Deviations from the curve must be approved by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.
No more than 70% of grades awarded in any class may be B+ (3.33), B (3.00), B- (2.67).
Grades of “F” in any class shall not be included in the calculation of whether the curve for any class complies with the grade curve policy.
Final grades incorporating adjustments for factors such as midterm exams, attendance, additional graded assignments, and class participation shall comply with the target curves.
Grade Curve in Micro-Classes
1. Definition: A “Micro-Class” is a class in which (1) class size is six or fewer students, or (2) students are selected by the faculty member on the basis of demonstrated merit, such as Clinic II, King Scholars seminars, or directed studies.
2. Applicable grade curve in micro-classes: Grades in micro-classes shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs a good faith attempt to comply with the spirit of the curve applicable to upper level classes.

Beginning Fall 2009, the following grading standards apply:

First Year Courses (Excludes RWA)	Upper Level Courses (Includes RWA)	Seminar Courses
A, A-	A, A-	A, A-
B+, B, B-	B+, B, B-	B+, B, B-
C+, C, C-	C+, C, C-	C or Below is Discretionary
D+, D, D-, F	Below C is Discretionary

Beginning Fall 2002, the following grading standards apply:

First Year Courses (Excludes RWA)		Upper Level Courses (Includes RWA)		Seminar Courses
A, A-	25%	A, A-	30%	A, A-	40%
B+, B, B-	30%	B+, B, B-	40%	B+, B, B-	40%
C+, C, C-	40%	C+, C, C-	30%	C or Below is Discretionary
D+, D, D-, F	5%	Below C is Discretionary

Prior to Fall 2002, the following grading standards apply:

First Year Courses (Excludes RWA)		Upper Level Courses (Includes RWA)		Seminar Courses
A	15%	A	20%	A	40%
B+, B	25%	B+, B	30%	B+, B	40%
C+, C	40%	C+, C	40%	C or below is discretionary
D+, D	15%	Below C	10%
F	5%