Grading System
The following grading system is standardized for law school students. Each instructor is responsible for determining the requirements for a class and for assigning grades on the basis of those requirements and grading scale by the grade submission deadline each term.
Standard Grade Points per Hour of Credit
| A | 4.0 (Law School Numerical Grade 93 & Above) |
| A- | 3.7 (Law School Numerical Grade 90-92) |
| B+ | 3.3 (Law School Numerical Grade 86-89) |
| B | 3.0 (Law School Numerical Grade 83-85) |
| B- | 2.7 (Law School Numerical Grade 80-82) |
| C+ | 2.3 (Law School Numerical Grade 76-79) |
| C | 2.0 (Law School Numerical Grade 73-75) |
| C- | 1.7 (Law School Numerical Grade 70-72) |
| D+ | 1.3 (Law School Numerical Grade 66-69) |
| D | 1.0 (Law School Numerical Grade 63-65) |
| D- | 0.7 (Law School Numerical Grade 60-62) |
| F | 0.0 (Law School Numerical Grade 59 or Below) |
Grading
Letter grades within the University's 12-step plus/minus grading system will be reported for all students in the JD degree program to the appropriate University administrative office. For each credit hour, the letter grades shall have the credit point value shown above. Through the spring of 2012 for JD students who matriculated before the Fall 2010 semester, for Law School purposes only, a numerical system of grading shall be used in addition to the University's plus/minus grading system. For JD and LLM students who matriculate in the Fall 2010 semester or later, only letter grades shall be assigned.
Grade Symbols
| I | incomplete; If the I grade is given, the instructor and the Dean's Office shall determine in writing the appropriate date for completion of the requirements of the course, such period not to extend beyond the end of the next regular (i.e., not summer) term. If the student fails to complete the requirements of the course by the assigned date, the I grade will be converted to an F. If, at the end of the next succeeding regular (i.e., not summer) term, the faculty member has not provided a new grade to the Law School Registrar, the I grade will be automatically converted to an F unless, prior to that time, the instructor and the Dean's Office have agreed that the grade of W is appropriate. The W grade should be given only where the circumstances preventing completion of course requirements are serious, unforeseeable, and beyond the student's control. |
| P | passing; pass-graded course shall mean that the grade of "pass" will be given when in the judgment of the instructor the quality and quantity of the work is such that on a graded basis such work would be equivalent to at least a C. Should the work not receive a grade of "pass," the work shall be assigned that letter grade between C- and F that the instructor determines is appropriate. |
| W | withdrew |
| *** | class grades were not submitted when final grades were processed, or the student is currently enrolled in the course. |
Explanation of an I (Incomplete) Grade
The grade I may be given if the instructor and the Dean's Office determine that 1) an incomplete grade is appropriate because of serious illness of the student or for other equally justifiable reason; or 2) the scope of the work involved in the course is such that it is appropriate to extend the time for its completion beyond the end of the semester.
Grade Point Average
The overall University of Colorado grade point average (GPA) is computed as follows: the credit hours and credit points are totaled for all courses and across all campuses within the same career (UGRD, GRAD or LAW); then the total credit points are divided by the total credit hours. Courses with grade symbols of P, *** (grade not yet entered), W, and I are excluded from calculations. All standard letter grades (A-F) are included in the GPA, including grades of F earned for courses graded on a pass/graded basis. Below is example GPA calculation for a hypothetical semester:
| Grade Earned: A; | Credit Points per Hour: 4.0; x Credit Hours: 4.0 = Credit Points in Course: 16.0 |
| Grade Earned: A-; | Credit Points per Hour: 3.7; x Credit Hours: 4.0 = Credit Points in Course: 14.8 |
| Grade Earned: B+; | Credit Points per Hour: 3.3; x Credit Hours: 4.0 = Credit Points in Course: 13.2 |
| Grade Earned: P; | Credit Points per Hour: —; x Credit Hours: 3.0 = Credit Points in Course: — (excluded) |
| Grade Earned: F; | Credit Points per Hour: 0; x Credit Hours: 3.0 = Credit Points in Course: 0 |
| Total of 15 credit hours with 44 credit points, so 44/15 = 2.93 GPA |
For individual GPA calculations related to academic standing and graduation from a college or school, students should refer to their academic dean's office.
Credit Limits
For academic purposes, law students must be enrolled for a minimum of 10 credit hours to be considered full time in the fall and spring. For more information, visit the Colorado Law website. Law students may apply a maximum of 18 credit hours toward a degree during the fall and spring semesters. Students who receive financial aid or veterans benefits or who live in university housing should check with the appropriate office regarding course-load requirements for eligibility purposes.