Law Transcript Key - Prior to August 29, 2016
Release of Information
In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, this information is released on the condition that the recipient "will not permit any other party to have access to such information without the written consent of the student."
Official Paper Document
"Penn State" appears in white print on a green background across the entire face of the official transcript or enrollment verification which is printed on security paper. The official transcript bears the seal of Penn State and the signature of the University Registrar. The raised University seal is not required.
Official Electronic Document
An electronic signature and certification appears before you open the PDF transcript, and also on the front page of the transcript. The Statement of Authenticity bears the name of the University Registrar.
Accreditation
Penn State Law is on the approved list of the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Unit of Credit
The unit of credit is the semester hour. A semester hour of credit represents course work involving one 50-minute classroom hour per week over a period of 14 weeks.
Course-Numbering System
Courses in the 900 to 999 series are restricted to students enrolled in the J.D. and LL.M. programs and others receiving special permission.
Non-900 level courses appearing on the transcript are not calculated into the cumulative grade-point average or class rank.
Class Ranking
Semester and cumulative ranking information appears on the transcript. Details regarding the ranking process are found on the Penn State Law website.
Course Suffixes
Letters are frequently used following a course or section number.
The letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, M, N, Q, S, T, X, and Z appear after certain courses for which a basic course description encompasses multiple course titles.
Basis for Grades
For the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, the grades A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, and F indicate a gradation in quality from Excellent to Failure. Effective fall semester 2012, the Master of Laws grading scale eliminated grades A+, C-, and D+ and follows the Juris Doctor grade scale below.
Grades are assigned to Juris Doctor candidates on the basis of the instructor's judgment of the student's scholastic achievement using the grading system below.
Before Fall Semester 2000
| Grade | Gradation |
|---|---|
| 90 and above | Distinguished |
| 85-89 | Excellent |
| 75-84 | Good |
| 70-74 | Qualified |
| 65-69 | Poor |
| Below 65 | Fail (No credit) |
Effective Fall Semester 2000
| Grade | Gradation |
|---|---|
| 90 and above | Distinguished |
| 85-89 | Excellent |
| 80-84 | Good |
| 75-79 | Satisfactory |
| 70-74 | Passing |
| 65-69 | Conditional Failure |
| Below 65 | Failure (No credit) |
Effective Summer Semester 2005
| Grade | Gradation |
|---|---|
| A | Distinguished |
| A- | Excellent |
| B+ | Superior |
| B | Very Good |
| B- | Good |
| C+ | Satisfactory |
| C | Passing |
| D | Poor |
| F | Failure (No credit) |
Juris Doctor candidates may earn a limited number of credits on a pass/fail basis. Successful completion of such courses is indicated by the letter P. Some courses (generally clinics) are offered only on a credit/non-credit basis. Successful completion of such courses is indicated by the code CR. Unsuccessful completion is indicated by the code NC.
Incomplete Grade Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NG | No Grade Reported |
| DF | Deferred |
Other Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P | Pass |
| AU | Audit |
| R | Research |
| W | Withdrawal |
| XF | Fail, Academic Dishonesty |
| INCP & I | Incomplete Average | WP | Late Drop Passing |
| WF | Late Drop Failing |
| WN | Late Drop No Grade |
| NC | Non-Credit |
| CR | Credit |

