Dean’s Honor List

Pursuant to Law School Rule 8.05, a student is eligible for the Dean’s Honor List (typically referred to as “Dean’s List”) if the following three requirements are satisfied:

1. Completion of at least 12 new credits in a semester; at least 8 of these credits must be graded on the 4.3 scale

2. Earn at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average for the semester

3. Completion of the credits by the final grading deadline

Students with disabilities that preclude a credit load of at least 12 credits should consult with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs about appropriate accommodations. Students who have retaken a course should review Law School Rule 6.09 for the impact on eligibility for honors.

For any semester in which it is earned, this honor will be listed on the campus transcript. 

Dean's Academic Achievement Awards

Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 at the end of their penultimate semester receive the Dean's Academic Achievement Award and qualify to wear an honors stole at the commencement ceremony. Incomplete ("I") grades must be cleared in order to be eligible for the this award. Students who have retaken a course should review Law School Rule 6.09 for the impact on eligibility for honors.

Qualified candidates will be notified at the end of the relevant semester and directed to the University Bookstore to purchase the stole.

Latin Honors: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude

Students who have earned at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at the completion of the JD will qualify for Latin honors. Additionally, students who matriculated in Fall 2023 and after must earn a minimum of 45 graded credits and transfer students must earn a minimum of 30 graded credits to qualify.

The honors and corresponding grade point averages are as follows:

Cum laude - 3.5 to 3.74
Magna cum laude - 3.75 to 3.94
Summa cum laude - 3.95 to 4.3

Students who have retaken a course should review Law School Rule 6.09 for the impact on eligibility for honors.

Latin honors are listed on the campus transcript and the diploma.

Order of the Coif

The Order of the Coif is a national honorary scholastic society that recognizes law students who attain a high grade of scholarship. The Wisconsin Chapter of The Order of the Coif is selected from those graduating law students who:

• have earned a minimum of 68 graded credits
• are in the top 10% of the class 

For a full explanation of the eligibility for Order of the Coif, see Appendix D of the Law School Rules. (Note: grades earned in any semester following the semester in which the degree requirements are met are not counted for Order of the Coif eligibility purposes). Students who have retaken a course should review Law School Rule 6.09 for the impact on eligibility for honors.