Option to Retake a Course

Students have the option to retake one course in the event of a failure or low grade. Law School Rule 6.09 explains the conditions under which a student may choose to retake a course. 

If the Retentions Committee requires or permits a student to retake a course, they cannot retake a course under Law School Rule 6.09(1).

C-Grade Cap on Retakes

In most cases, the maximum final grade attainable on a retake is a C, which will control for all purposes, except honorary awards and election to Order of the Coif. 

Petition to Remove C-Grade Cap on Retakes

There is a process for students to petition the faculty Petitions Committee for permission to retake a course and receive the grade earned in the course without a C-grade cap (see Law School Rule 6.09(2)). In such an instance, the retake grade shall control for all purposes.

If the Petitions Committee grants a student's request to retake a course under Law School Rule 6.09(2), it does not exhaust the student's ability to retake a course pursuant to Law School Rule 6.09(1). In other words, the one-course limit under Law School Rule 6.09(1) does not apply to courses retaken under Law School Rule 6.09(2).

Effect on Transcript

Both grades (the original and the retake grades) will remain on the student's transcript, though only the retake grade will be factored into the student's GPA.

Credit Limitations

If a student receives a passing grade the first time they take a course, they will not receive additional credit for retaking the course. For example, if a student earns a D- in Contracts (which is a 4-credit course) and opts to retake it, the student will not receive an additional 4 credits for retaking Contracts (though the grade on the retake will control subject to the above). 

Retaking First-Year Courses

First-year courses may only be retaken during the second year.

If a student fails a first-year course and fails the retake the following year, the student is ineligible to continue without permission from the Retentions Committee pursuant to Law School Rule 7.06(1) for failure to complete the First-Year Curriculum within two years of matriculation.

Retaking Legal Analysis, Advocacy, and Writing (LAAW) I & II

Students who fail LAAW I cannot take LAAW II in the subsequent spring semester. Like other first-year courses, LAAW I & II must be retaken in the second year. 

Students may retake LAAW I or LAAW II pursuant to Law School Rule 3.11 without exhausting their retake privilege under Law School Rule 6.09(1). 

Like other retakes, the C-grade cap will apply, and students can petition to remove the C-grade cap pursuant to Law School Rule 6.09(2).

Notification to and Consultation with Assistant Dean for Student Affairs; Course Registration

Students interested in retaking a course must consult with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and notify the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs of their intention to retake a course no later than the second week of the semester in which they plan to retake the course, though ideally sooner. Timely registration of the retaken course is also required. See Law School Rule 6.09(4). 

Forfeiture of Retake Privilege

A student who has notified the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs of their intention to retake a course pursuant to Law School Rule 6.09(4) (or fails to provide such notice but registers for a course they have already taken) and who fails to complete the course requirements, forfeits the privilege of retaking the course. 

Contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs with any questions about retaking courses.