Satisfactory Academic Progress

Juris Doctor Program

A student must be making satisfactory academic progress to be a student in good standing. To make satisfactory academic progress in the Juris Doctor Program, a student must satisfy two conditions: (1) maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a "C" (2.00) and (2) complete the minimum number of cumulative credit hours by the end of each semester, as stated below:

Semesters completed Minimum Cum. Credit Hours
that must be completed
2nd 12
4th 25
6th 38
8th 50
10th 63
12th 75
14th 88

Consistent with ABA Standards, it is possible that a student may begin a new semester before learning of his or her previous semester’s academic performance. Therefore, a student is deemed to be making satisfactory academic progress until grades have been posted from the previous semester and the new cumulative grade point average has been calculated.

A student who fails to achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average should refer to the policies on Scholastic Dismissal and Academic Probation in effect at the time they were admitted to MSU College of Law. A student placed on academic probation is eligible to receive financial aid, provided the student satisfies condition (2) above. A student who has maintained a 2.00 cumulative grade point average in the semesters described above but fails to advance a grade level must seek the approval of the Assistant or Associate Dean for Student Affairs before enrolling in a subsequent semester.