Grading System

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Mandatory Grade Distribution
Procedure for a Non-Grade Related Academic Grievance
  1. LMU Law uses the traditional 4.0 grading system

A

4.000

C

2.000

A-

3.667

C-

1.667

B+

3.333

D+

1.333

B

3.000

D

1.000

B-

2.667

D-

0.667

C+

2.333

F

0.000
  1. .Explanation of Grades
A A grade of A is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is uniformly outstanding for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
A- A grade of A- is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is often outstanding but lacks the consistency associated with uniformly outstanding work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
B+ A grade of B+ is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is very good but lacks the consistency associated with outstanding work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
B A grade of B is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is uniformly good work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
B- A grade of B- is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is often good work, but lacks the consistency associated with uniformly good work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
C+ A grade of C+ is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is above the level of competent but not rising to the level of good work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
C A grade of C is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is competent for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
C- A grade of C- is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is below the level of competent, lacking the consistency necessary for competent work for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education. A student who maintains a C- average is not eligible to graduate and, if that average persists, is not eligible to continue his or her studies at the School of Law.
D+ A grade of D+ is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that reflects some skill but is solidly below the level of competent for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
D A grade of D is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that reflects some skill but is substantially below competent for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
D- A grade of D- is given to any student who completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that generally reflects some minimal skill that is marginally above a failing grade for a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education.
F A grade of F is given to any student who either (a) completes the requirements for a course and does so in a fashion that is not acceptable at all and demonstrates none of the skill or talent generally found in a law student and future lawyer at this stage of his or her education or (b) does not complete the requirements for the course in a timely fashion. This grade confers no credit for the course.
  1. Other possible transcript notations and explanations

    I = Incomplete
    A grade of I is given to a student who has not completed the requirements for a course in a timely fashion but has arranged with the instructor to do so within no more than six calendar months from the last day of exams for the applicable semester. A grade of Incomplete shall only be given in extraordinary circumstances. After six months, an unresolved I becomes an F (0.000). At no time does an I confer credit for a course.
    P = Passing
    Eligible courses will be graded on a pass/fail basis. A grade of P is given to any student who passes a pass/fail course. This grade confers credit but is not calculated in the grade average.
    W = Withdrawal
    A grade of W is posted on the transcript whenever a student withdraws from a course prior to the deadline to drop a course. The W grade confers no credit and is not calculated in the grade average.
    AW = Absence Withdrawal
    A grade of AW is posted on the transcript whenever a student is withdrawn from a course for excessive absences. The AW grade confers no credit but is calculated into the grade average in the same way as an F (0.000).
    WD = Withdrawal from University
    A notation of WD denotes an administrative withdrawal from the University (from all courses), instigated by the University, prior to the conference of a grade in any course. The WD grade confers no credit and is not calculated in the grade average.
    X = A notation of X is posted on the transcript if the student, through no fault of his or her own, has not yet received a grade for a course. This notation covers unforeseeable circumstances unrelated to the student. The X notation does not confer credit for the course and is not calculated in the grade point average.
    AU = Audit
    A notation of AU denotes an official audit of the course. No credit is awarded nor is a grade assigned.
     
  2. Pass/Fail Grading
    Any course in which letter grades are not expected to be given will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Students who pass the course receive a P for the course. Students who fail the course receive an F (0.000). A failing grade will be calculated as part of a student’s grade point average.
    1. For all coursework taken on a pass/fail basis, whether at, or outside, the School of Law, a student must perform at no less than a C level to earn a P grade. Students who perform below a C level will receive an F.
    2. Credit Hour Limitation. Absent approval in writing from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, no student may count more than nine credit hours earned in courses graded on a pass/fail basis toward the total number of hours required for graduation (not including transfer credits).
       
  3. Calculation of Grade Point Averages
    After all grades have been recorded for students each semester, the Registrar will calculate and report to each student his or her individual grade point average. This information will be made available to all students through WebAdvisor.