LLM, MLS, and MSLA Students
Non-JD Student Grading Policy:
All non-JD students (LLM, MLS, MT, MSLA, special status students for credit, and those coming from other units seeking transfer credit) are graded separately from JD students when enrolled in courses that are part of the JD curriculum. Faculty will evaluate the work of non-JD students independently from the work of the JD students in the same class. Faculty are given discretion to decide upon the evaluation methods appropriate for each course for the non-JD students.
The Sturm College of Law employs a letter grade system of A through F. If there are more than 10 non-JD students in a course, the grades issued to those students, evaluated independently of the JD students, must have a mean between 3.4 and 3.6. If the grades issued in a course for a group of more than 10 non-JD students substantially deviate from the mandatory curve, the professor must provide the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs with adequate justification for the deviation. The Associate Dean shall make the final determination of whether an adequate justification exists for the substantial deviation. If the Associate Dean determines that adequate justification does not exist, the professor, the Associate Dean, or the Registrar shall reconfigure the grades.
Note: The current JD grading policy applies to the remaining JD students in a course with a combined JD and non-JD student populations; specifically, grading is subject to current mean/median range if there are more than 10 remaining JD students. Dual JD/LLM students are graded in accordance with the JD Program guidelines.
A student must repeat any required course in which his or her grade was “F”. Students may elect to repeat any course in which they receive a grade of “F” but both grades are recorded on the transcript and will be used to compute a student’s grade point average.
All other examination and grading procedures are aligned with the Sturm College of Law policies, as outlined here.
Academic Probation and Dismissal:
A full-time non-JD student (enrolled in at least 8 credits per term) whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.7 after the first term of study will be put on probation and issued a written probationary letter. The student’s academic progress will be monitored closely (but with no impact on merit-based aid) in the second term of enrollment. If the student’s GPA remains below 2.7 after two consecutive terms, the student may be terminated. Part-time student performance and probation/termination timelines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Depending on individual advising and GPA calculations, a student may elect to take up to 30 credits in a 24 credit program and up to 36 credits in a 30 credit program in order to remedy the deficiency and reach good academic standing to be eligible to graduate.
If a student is terminated and chooses to reapply to a program, the time limit to complete the degree may not automatically be reset, and there is no guarantee a student will be readmitted upon completing the application process. A petition for readmission may be submitted to the Director of the student’s academic non-JD program. It will be determined by GLS whether or not a further petition to the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies is appropriate, but such petitions shall be granted only in extraordinary circumstances.
Additional Information
Disability and ESL Student Accommodation Information
