GRADING

Anonymously Graded Exams

Standard scheduled exams are graded anonymously. Each semester, students are randomly assigned examination identification numbers to be used in place of their name or other identifying factors. 

When exams are graded anonymously, faculty members submit a list of grades by examination number to the Law Registrar for identification of students, and a copy is retained. Thereafter, faculty members enter grades into the University registration system (OPUS). Grades are not changed after identification of the students except in accordance with the mandatory mean and an announced policy by the faculty member to adjust grades to reflect class participation and/or attendance. Grades cannot be changed after entry unless adjusted for proven mathematical or administrative error.

Openly Graded Exams

In some classes, faculty do not grade anonymously either because of the size or the nature of the exam or cumulative project. When named exam projects are graded, faculty must enter grades into the University registration system (OPUS) prior to announcing those grades to students. Grades cannot be changed after entry unless adjusted for proven mathematical or administrative error.

Grading Scale

Faculty members use a letter grading system, ranging from “F” to “A+.” The following table reflects the numerical equivalent of the letter grades: 

A student must receive a grade of “D-” or above to receive credit for the course. A grade of “F,” “IF,” or “WF” is a failing grade with no credit for the course. 

Grades of “S” (satisfactory) that are assigned for courses graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis carry academic credit but no quality points toward students’ grade point average. Grades of “U” (unsatisfactory), “IU” (unsatisfactory incomplete), or “WU” (withdrawal while unsatisfactory) carry no academic credit and no quality points. 

With respect to SJD, MCL, and LLM degree candidates who are enrolled in courses along with JD candidates, grades for JD degree candidates are curved to the mandatory 3.3 mean, without the grades of these other degree candidates being considered. After that JD-only curve is established, then the grades for these other degree candidates are assigned using the JD-only curve.

JM/MLS degree candidates have (1) different learning objectives, (2) should not be evaluated on the same basis as JD degree candidates, and (3) should be graded with rubrics that are unique to JM/MLS degree candidates, using a unique curve. These different learning objectives must apply equally to all residential and on-line JM/MLS degree candidates, and all law school offerings in which JM/MLS degree candidates are enrolled must be evaluated to establish whether these differences properly are reflected in their learning objectives, evaluations, and grading.

Mandatory Mean

A class mean of “B+” (3.30) is mandatory in the following courses:

(a)  1L required classes and all 1L electives; and
(b)  Legal Profession, Evidence, and the following courses:
i.          LAW 500X, Business Associations
ii.         LAW 622A, Constitutional Criminal Procedure: Investigations
iii.        LAW 640, Federal Income Taxation (and similar 640L, 640X)
iv.        LAW 713, Secured Transactions
v.         LAW 732, International Law 

For classes covered by (a) or (b) above, the inclusion of graded group-based coursework will not justify deviating from the mandatory mean. 

For classes not covered by (a) or (b) above, a class mean of “B+” (3.30) is mandatory in every non-seminar class in which more than ten (10) Emory JD students are taking the class for a grade and no portion of a student’s grade is group-based.

Recommended Mean

A class mean of “B+” (3.30) is recommended in all classes not subject to the mandatory mean.

Failed and Repeated Courses

A student earning a grade of “F” in any course has received a failing grade. A student failing a required course must retake that course. Failing grades will be computed into a student’s overall average and additional courses must be taken to earn the required hours. Failing grades may not be expunged, even if the course is repeated. 

Failing a required course that is a prerequisite for other courses will not absolutely prevent students from taking another course in sequence. However, permission from the Associate Dean of Students and Academic Programs or their designee is required for the student to take the sequential course. 

Students may not receive credit for the same class twice. Certain course numbers may be repeatable, depending on the course content.

Incompletes

Instructors may award a grade of I (Incomplete) when the instructor anticipates that, upon completion of the outstanding work, the student will have satisfied all course requirements and will have the capacity to earn a passing grade.  In order to receive the incomplete grade, a student must be able to complete the outstanding work independently (apart from the administration of any missed quizzes or exams) AND demonstrate an exigent circumstance arising at the end of the semester that prevents them from completing the work before the due date.  The student must communicate with the instructor and request the incomplete in order to initiate the incomplete process.  However, there is no obligation upon the instructor to grant the request.  If the student does not initiate the process OR the circumstances listed above are not met, the instructor is to award the grade earned by the grading deadline.

Prior to assigning the grade of “Incomplete,” the student and instructor should jointly complete and sign a short form that includes:

• Course name, instructor, student name, and semester

• Description of the remaining work to be completed (including any attendance or participation requirements, if applicable)

• The deadline by which all outstanding work must be submitted before the incomplete converts to a final grade

• The conditions, if any, under which an extension of the deadline may be granted

The completed agreement should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office, where it will be retained for standardized record-keeping and to support appropriate administrative follow-up if necessary.

In the case of an incomplete issued in a course where the final assessment is a final exam, the exam must be completed within one month of the originally scheduled date.  Should an extension of this deadline be required due to student incapacity, an appeal may be made to the Associate Dean of Students and Academic Programs or their designee.

By way of example, situations where an incomplete is not the appropriate final grade include:
·         Insufficient class attendance throughout the semester
·         Outstanding work includes group work upon which the final grade of other students depends
·         Situations that should reasonably be within the student’s control that prevent them from completing the work

Once the work has been completed, provided it is within the approved timeline or extension, the instructor will contact the Registrar to initiate a grade change.  If work is not finished by the stated deadline, the grade will be administratively changed to an F/U (if student is actively enrolled) or W (if student is on leave or discontinued).

The maximum amount of time for a student to complete work in a non-exam course with a grade of incomplete is the agreed upon deadline or twelve (12) months, whichever comes first; after twelve (12) months, the incomplete will be automatically converted to an “F" or "U" unless the student has separated from the institution. If an incomplete deadline expires while a student is separated from the institution, that grade will revert to a W (withdrawal) rather than an F or U.

No student will be certified for graduation nor receive a diploma if incompletes remain on their record. It is the student’s obligation to clear their record.

Reporting of Grades and Release to Students

Posting of grades outside of the University registration system (OPUS) by the faculty is specifically prohibited. Students can check grades online as they are posted. Final course grades may not be communicated via email or telephone. Graduating students may be informed by the Law Registrar’s office that they have passed or failed individual courses if such information is relevant to graduation. 

Final course grades are entered into OPUS by the faculty in accordance with a timetable established each semester by the University Registrar.

Class Rank

Class rank is computed for all JD students on the basis of work done at Emory Law alone. LLM, JM/MLS, MCL, and SJD students do not receive a class ranking. Transfer students are inserted in the class rank for the second-year class after one semester of work at Emory. 

Class rank is calculated for joint-degree students at different times depending on their status at the law school. Joint-degree students are assigned a class ranking during their first year of study at the law school and are recalculated into class rank in any semester in which they are in residency at the law school with a minimum of six (6) graded law credits. Students are not calculated into class rank during semesters in which they are in residency at another school or program, regardless of how many law school courses they take during that time. Final class rank is calculated at the conclusion of a student’s JD course of study, regardless of the residency of that final semester. 

Each semester, cumulative class rank and term class rank are compiled by the Registrar of the law school. Exact numerical rankings are only provided to students in the top 10% of each class. The Registrar of the law school will calculate only the class rankings of students in the top 33%. Class rank lists are not posted. Students, therefore, receive their individual class ranks through the Office of the Registrar of the law school. 

When reporting class rank or grades on resumes, students must strictly comply with the policies of the Center for Professional Development and Career Strategy. Students who violate Emory Law or University policies with regard to reporting of grades or class rank will be subject to sanction under the Professional Conduct Code.