Grading and GPA Computation

The grading scale at the UNT Dallas College of Law consists of the following letter grades, along with the numerical equivalent used for calculating grade point average (GPA).

Note: The lowest passing grade is a D.

In addition, the COL uses the following grades:

Grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grade point average is rounded to the third decimal. The number of semester hours attempted includes all courses with grades from A through F.

In general, letter grades will correspond to the following levels of achievement: A=Exemplary; B=Good; C=Fair; D=Poor; F=Failure. Because the grading scale includes “plus” and “minus” for A, B, and C, the use of plus or minus corresponds to a level of achievement deemed plus or minus the level just noted.

The College of Law has several non-credit bearing requirements; specifically the Community Engagement Requirement; the Mentorship Requirement; and the Practice-Related Technology Requirement. The faculty member or members responsible for overseeing these requirements will indicate whether or not a student has completed a requirement in a given semester, in a given year, or in its entirety, as applicable. The Office of the Registrar, through its processes and degree audit, will maintain tracking of student progress towards completing these requirements. If a student has not completed work or activities for the requirement at the end of a semester in which such work or activities must be completed, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for the next semester.

Pass-Fail Grading

The College of Law may designate certain courses as pass-fail. Any such courses will carry a pass-fail designation at the time of registration for the semester or other term. A credit-bearing course carrying a pass-fail designation will count for purposes of required hours or other requirements, but it will not be included in the calculation of GPA.

The College of Law has several non-credit-bearing requirements; specifically, the Community Engagement Requirement; the Mentorship Requirement; and the Practice-Related Technology Requirement. The faculty member or members responsible for overseeing these requirements will indicate whether a student has completed a requirement in a given semester, in a given year, or in its entirety, as applicable. The Office of the Registrar, through its processes and degree audit, will maintain ongoing tracking of student progress towards completing these requirements. If a student has not completed work or activities for the requirement at the end of a semester in which such work or activities must be completed, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for the next semester.

Grade Changes and Appeals

Under UNT Dallas policy on grade appeals, students are encouraged to “resolve grade disputes through informal discussions with their faculty members and through a formal process only when necessary: As to formal process, only final grades may be appealed. The bases for appeal of a final grade are clerical or administrative error in calculating or assigning grade; grade not calculated in accordance with the grading criteria set out in the syllabus; or grade based on arbitrary or unlawful reason, including retaliation, harassment, or observance of religious holy days. Faculty members may not consider any request to re-evaluate the work. Under the policy, when a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a course, ·the student should first arrange a formal meeting with the instructor to discuss the student’s concern.” For more detail, see UNT Dallas Policy 7.007.

Segment Credit

To receive credit for completing a segment, a student must receive a passing grade on the assignment that provides the segment credit, whether or not the student receives a passing grade in the course providing the segment credit. Thus, it is possible for a student to receive a passing grade in a course but not receive credit for the segment(s) provided by the class. Alternatively, it is possible for a student to receive a failing grade in a course but receive credit for the segments provided by the course on which the student received a passing grade. The criteria for a passing grade on a segment assignment will be determined by the faculty member providing the grade for the segment assignment.

Exemptions from Course Requirements

In general, a student must receive a D or higher on all listed prerequisites prior to enrolling in a course. If a student wishes to enroll in a course in the same semester as one or more of the listed prerequisites for that course, the student must submit the Prerequisite Exemption Form. The final determination regarding the student’s request will be made by the instructor of the course requiring the prerequisite(s) and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Under no circumstances will permission be granted for a student to enroll in a course in a semester prior to the semester in which the student enrolls in the listed prerequisite(s).

Course Repeat Policy

RETAKING FAILED REQUIRED COURSES
A student who fails a course required for the J.D. degree must retake the course. Both the original failing grade and the new grade will count toward the student’s cumulative GPA. 

RETAKING FAILED ELECTIVE COURSES
A student who fails an elective course may retake the course, but only the original failing grade will count toward the student’s cumulative GPA. If the student passes the course, the student will be awarded the associated credit hours, but the new grade will not count toward the student’s semester or cumulative GPA.

RETAKING COURSES WITH A PASSING GRADE
A student may not retake any course in which the student has already received a passing grade.