For purposes of enrollment and determining eligibility for certain student activities, a division of students by class is made by the Office of the Registrar at the end of each semester on the basis of the number of credits earned and according to the following schedule:
| Credits Earned |
Classification |
| fewer than 28 |
Freshman |
| 28 to 55 |
Sophomore |
| 56 to 87 |
Junior |
| 88 and above |
Senior |
Students who have matriculated at Michigan State University and have achieved junior standing (56 semester credits) may not earn credits from two-year institutions.
Students who have matriculated at Michigan State University and have not yet achieved junior standing (56 semester credits) may earn credits from two-year institutions, up to the 56-semester credit limit.