Grades, Class Rank, and Academic Honors
Grade Scale. The number of grade points assigned for each credit hour completed at the School of Law is as follows:
| A+ | =4.0 | C+ | =2.3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | =4.0 | C | =2.0 |
| A- | =3.7 | C- | =1.7 |
| B+ | =3.3 | D+ | =1.3 |
| B | =3.0 | D | =1.0 |
| B- | =2.7 | F | =0 |
Passing Grade. A grade of D or better is a passing grade in a particular course. Students may not retake a course that has been passed. A few courses are graded on a Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) basis.
Raising Grades. Students may not do extra work to raise a grade that has been recorded.
Grade Point Average. A student's grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of graded credit hours, including failed credit hours but excluding satisfactory (S) credit hours and official withdrawal (W) grades. When a student retakes and passes a course that the student previously failed, both grades are counted in calculating the student's grade point average.
In some instances, a student's grade point average computed by the Law School will differ from the grade point average on a student's official Indiana University transcript. The official Indiana University transcript includes grades for all graduate courses taken at the University.
Grades at Other Schools. Grades earned at another law school, or in a program sponsored by another law school, are not used in computating a student's grade point average at the School of Law.
Minimum GPA. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 to graduate.
Grade Distribution. The faculty has adopted the following grade distribution as a suggested goal for all courses except seminars and other special offerings such as Law Review, Moot Court and Advanced Research:
| First Year Courses | Other Courses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ through A | 10% | A through A- | 20% |
| A- through B | 50% | B+ through B- | 60% |
| B- through C | 35% | C+ and below | 20% |
| C- and below | 5% | ||
Average Grade. The faculty has also adopted a policy recommending that the average grade for each course fall in the range of 2.9 - 3.1. This range is a suggested goal for all courses except seminars and other special offerings such as Law Review, Moot Court and Advanced Research.
Dean's List. Students who are enrolled in at least 8 hours of graded course work during a fall or spring semester, and who earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 in at least 8 hours of graded course work, are placed on the Dean's List to acknowledges their superior academic performance.
Class rank. Students who have completed at least 30 credit hours are considered second-year students, and those who have completed at least 60 credit hours are considered third-year students for purposes of class rankings. View the most recent class rank info.
Graduation with Honors. A student who has complied with the requirements for graduation and who has attained an outstanding scholastic average in work done in the School of Law may be graduated Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude. The standards for award of honors are determined periodically by the faculty, generally within the following guidelines:
Summa Cum Laude - no more than the top 5 percent of the class;
Magna Cum Laude - no more than the next 5 percent of the class;
Cum Laude - no more than the next 10 percent of the class.
