Michigan State University College of Law employs two systems of grading: an alpha system and a pass/fail system. Additional detailed information may be found in the Student Handbook at https://www.law.msu.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/grading-system.html.
The Alpha System
A signifies that the student's work in the course has been excellent.
B signifies that the student's work in the course has been good.
C signifies that the student's work in the course has been satisfactory.
D signifies that the student's work in the course has been inadequate, but passing.
F signifies that the student's work in the course has been failing. No credit hours are awarded for work undertaken and completed with this grade. Any student receiving a grade of "F" in any course required for graduation must repeat and successfully complete the course with a passing grade of "C" or above within two (2) semesters from that semester in which the failing grade was received. All grades are counted in the student's cumulative grade point average.
The Pass/Fail System
Some elective courses are offered only on a Pass/Fail basis. This fact is noted in the general course descriptions.
This system is used only in courses specifically approved by the University Committee on Curriculum. Courses approved for P-F grading are marked in the Schedule of Courses on the web.
In the pass-fail system the following symbols are used:
P-Pass—means that credit is granted and that the student achieved a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the instructor.
F-No Grade—means that no credit is granted and that the student did not achieve a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the instructor.