Grading Scale

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GPA Points

Grades assigned in all graded courses at the School of Law are recorded according to the following system:

Any grade awarded before June 2011 is recorded according to the following system:

As of Summer, 2011 the following system applies:

GPA (Grade Point Average): Students will receive a GPA for the fall semester of the first year. For each semester, including the fall semester of the 1L year, students who are in the top 20% of their class will receive a notation on their transcript that they are on the Dean's List. In future semesters, students will receive both a GPA for that current semester and a cumulative GPA for their law school career.

Honors-Pass-Fail

Pass/Fail: To obtain a grade of "Pass" under this program, a student must earn a grade of "C" or higher; the grade of "C-"or below is the equivalent of a failing grade.

Honors: To receive a grade of "Honors" under this program, a student must earn a grade of "A." Students awarded honors designations will receive a 4.0 in the applicable courses for purposes of calculating their grade point averages.

How to earn an Honors-Pass-Fail credit:

• Upper Level Students: Second-year and third-year students may take those courses and workshops designated by the faculty as pass-fail courses, or honors-pass-fail courses. Such courses do not count against the limit outlined below, but students should be aware that having more than 25 percent of all courses without traditional letter grades will render them ineligible for Order of the Coif.
• Course credits earned by students who have enrolled at other law schools (whether in summer sessions or by special permission during the year) are recorded as pass-fail credits by the University of Miami School of Law, but the grade actually earned will also be shown on the University of Miami transcript. A student must have earned a grade of "C" or better, or its equivalent at the other institution, to transfer such credits. Except for transfer students, pass-fail credits earned outside the University of Miami School of Law automatically reduce the allowable number of courses a student may take on a pass-fail basis at the University of Miami School of Law.
• Transfer students may take two courses on a honors-pass-fail basis in their third year.
• In a few instances, professors restrict enrollment on the basis of overqualification as a result of prior courses taken during undergraduate or graduate studies. In those cases, the student may only elect to the take the course on a pass-fail basis. This election will not count against the limitation of two courses to be taken on a honors-pass-fail basis.

How many classes can I elect to take as "Honors-Pass-Fail"?

Third-year students (i.e., who have earned 56 or more credits, not counting any credits with an "Incomplete") may take up to two courses on a honors-pass-fail basis in graded courses, seminars, and workshops.

Should I choose to use the honors-pass-fail option?

It is strongly recommended that students do not exercise the honors-pass-fail option during the last semester of study, as the result may adversely affect one's graduation, the final grade-point average, or the award of honors.

Honors-Pass-Fail for Designated Skills Courses

Select skills courses at the School of Law are graded only on a system of Honors-Pass-Fail. These courses are not covered by the limitation on the number of Honors-Pass-Fail courses set out above nor are they subject to election by the student. The classes in this category are:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Litigation Skills I and II

Students who receive a grade of H for Honors will have this grade noted on their transcript, and the quality points in their grade point average will count as though they had received the grade of "A."

How To Calculate Your GPA

Note To Students: New GPA is an estimate and may off by .001

Calculate Overall GPA:

• In top row, enter the total number of "Credits Attempted" you have completed and your most recent GPA.
• Next, enter the number of credits each for your current semester's classes (1-5).
• Enter the letter grade you think you will receive or the grade you have received for each class.
• Press "Enter", "Tab" or click the "Recalculate" button. Your semester credits and GPA will be calculated in the bottom row.
• If you are enterring previously incomplete grades from a term before Summer 2011 check the "Use Old Scale" box.

Calculate Semester GPA:

Follow the instructions for overall GPA, but leave BOTH the cumulative credits and cumulative GPA boxes blank.

Cumulative
Credits	GPA
Current Semester Courses
Credits	Letter Grade(s)		Use Old Scale (Pre-Summer 2011 Grades)
New Credits	New GPA

Message to Employers Explaining the Grading System

The Dean of Students has drafted a letter to provide additional information to employers about calculation of grades, grade point averages and ranks at Miami Law. Additional details can be found in the Student Handbook. You may provide this letter to any employer with your transcript. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your advisor in the Career Development Office.

Click here to access the letter.