Grades & Ranks
Class Rankings
View Current Class Rankings Here
At the end of each semester, students are included in either the first year, second year or third year class lists.
Fall Semester Class Lists
- The fall semester first year class list includes:
- First year students who have not completed the first year.
- The fall semester second year class list includes:
- First year students who completed the first year at end of fall semester (and those completing the first year at the end of the preceding summers session).
- Second year students who have not completed the second year.
- The fall semester third year class list includes:
- Second year students who completed the second year at the end of the fall semester.
- Third year students who have not graduated.
- Third year students who graduated at the end of the fall semester or at the end of the preceding summer session.
Winter Semester Class Lists
- The winter semester first year class list includes:
- First year students who have not completed the first year; and first year students who completed the first year at the end of the winter semester.
- The winter semester second year class list includes: second year students who have not completed the second year; and second year students who completed the second year at the end of the winter semester.
- The winter semester third year class list includes:
- Third year students who have not graduated.
- Third year students who graduated at the end of the winter semester.
Rankings
All students are given a class ranking upon completion of the first and second years and a graduation class ranking.
The first and second year class rankings are the position of the student on the first, second or third year class listing for the semester when the student completes the first or second year.
A student who completes the first year at the end of the summer session is given a class ranking based upon where his or her first year cumulative GPA would have placed him or her in the preceding winter semester first year class list.
The graduating class ranking is determined as of the end of the summer session and includes all students graduating within the academic year (preceding fall and winter semesters and current summer session).
Computation of Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade point averages are based only on law school courses taken at this school and only upon "graded courses." For the purpose of computing grade point averages a "graded course" is one which is graded on the 65-100 scale.
A grade point average is obtained as follows:
- The "grade points" for a graded course are obtained by multiplying the numerical grade for the course by the credit hours for the course.
- The "grade point average" is obtained by dividing the total grade points for all graded courses by the total number of hours for all graded courses.
In computing grade point averages, all graded courses are included. When a course is repeated, the grade and hours for both takings are included in computing cumulative grade point averages subject to the following exception:
A student who is required to repeat a course will have his or her cumulative grade point average computed as follows: If the grade on the repeated course is 81 or higher, neither the hours nor the grade for the previous taking of the course will thereafter be used in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average. The earlier grade will, however, remain on the transcript.
The School of Law's Standards and Readmissions committee has adopted the following course repeat policy:
- Students who petition the Standards Committee for readmission may be required to repeat any or all courses previously completed;
- Students who achieve a grade in a course above the graduating average are not eligible to repeat that course;
- Students who achieve a passing grade in a course that is below the graduating average are eligible to petition the Standards Committee for permission to repeat the course. The Standards Committee may grant such petition based on exceptional circumstances;
- Students who fail a non-required course are eligible to petition the Standards Committee for permission to repeat the course. The Standards Committee may grant such petition based on exceptional circumstances.
- Students who fail a required course are required to repeat that course, unless, in exceptional circumstances, repeating the course is waived.
Note: When a course is repeated only the hours for one taking may be credited toward meeting the graduation requirement of having passed 89 hours, without regard to how the course is treated for computing grade point averages.
Grade point averages are computed for each student by semester, year, and cumulatively. The fall semester grade point average includes the courses taken in the fall semester and courses taken in the preceding summer session. The yearly grade point average is based upon courses taken during a student's first, second and third years.
Dean's List
A student qualifies for inclusion on the Dean's List with a semester average of 86 or greater.
Good Standing
A student is in "good standing" at the School of law when both the student's current semester and overall GPA are 77.5 or above.
Grades and Grading
The grades recorded in the School of Law are the official grades and the determination of grade point averages and satisfaction of law school requirements is based on the grades recorded in the School of Law.
Grades are recorded in the School of Law as numerical grades ranging from 65 through 100 or, where authorized, by the letters "S" (Satisfactory) and "U" (Unsatisfactory). The grades of S and of 70 through 100 are passing grades and carry course credit. The grades of U and of 65 through 69 are failing grades and carry no course credit. A 70 is the lowest passing grade and a cumulative grade point average of 77.5 is the minimum required for graduation.
With the exception of Independent Research, if grading is to be done other than anonymously, the syllabus shall so state. Professors do not know the names of students until after grades are turned in to the Dean's Office. Professors may not obtain the names of students prior to assigning a class rank order for grades. The rank order may not be changed after the names are known.
Explanation of the Grading Scale (PDF)
Grades from myZou
You may obtain your grades from myZou. You will need to know the course number of the course you are checking on. You can find course numbers for the Spring 2008 semester in these documents:
Spring 2008
Summmer 2008
- Summer 2008 Course List (PDF)
Grades may also be obtained by personally coming into 203 Hulston Hall and requesting a copy of your grade record (transcript). Grades will not be given over the phone or via fax.
Please do not call the Law School Administrative Offices (room 203) to see if a particular class has been entered or for your individual grades as they will not be given over the phone. Thank you for your cooperation on this.
Student Honors
J.D. Degree Cum Laude
Students with grade averages within the upper 5 percent of all students graduating in the previous five years are eligible for the designation of Juris Doctor "Cum Laude" upon graduation. This is the highest honor a graduate of the School of Law may receive.
Order of the Coif
The Order of the Coif is a national law school honor society, founded for the purpose of encouraging legal scholarship and of advancing the ethical standards of the legal profession. It has established chapters in the leading law schools of the country. Its members are selected by the faculty from the top ten percent of the graduating class and rank highest in scholarship and whose achievements as students make them worthy of this distinction. Selections are made after sixth semester grades and rankings have been determined.
Order of the Barristers
The Order of the Barristers is a national law school honor society founded for the purpose of promoting legal advocacy and of advancing the ethical standards of the legal profession. Members are selected based upon participation and excellence in the advocacy programs of the School of Law.
