Law Transcript Key

Transcript Guide

Accreditation

Suffolk University Law School is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Please refer to the ABA Accreditation site.

Validation

This document is printed on safety paper. If the transcript is copied, the word “VOID” will appear on the face.

Official Transcript Definition

An “Official” Transcript (whether paper or a certified electronic copy) bears the Suffolk University seal and signature of the University Registrar.

Release of Information

In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, transcript information is released on the condition that the recipient will not permit any other party to have access to such information without the prior written consent of the student. Alteration of a transcript may be a criminal offense.

Academic Calendar

Suffolk University Law School operates on a semester basis. A semester credit hour is equivalent to 55 classroom minutes of instruction per week.

Repeating a Course

Students must retake a required course when a grade of F is issued. Both the original grade of F and the grade received upon repetition will appear on the transcript. The repeated grade is included in the student’s grade point average (GPA).

Grading System

JD Grading System:

LLM, MSLL Grading System:

SJD Grading System:

Dean's List

The Dean’s List is an annual honor designation for students placing in the top 33%, solely for that academic year, of (i) the first-year student body, or (ii) the upper-class student body, as the case may be. Those students who qualify for the Dean’s List will be determined annually, after completion of the spring term, by the Assistant Dean for Academic Services and the Academic Associate Deans using the grades from the year just completed. The Dean’s List will be announced shortly after grades for the spring term are posted. No change will be made to the Dean’s List G.P.A. once it has been determined.

Graduation Requirements

  • JD students must complete a total of 84 credits
  • LLM students must complete a total of 24 credits
  • SJD students must complete a total of 24 credits
  • MSLL students must complete 30 credits
  • Additional Graduation Requirements

Dual Degrees Requirements:

Suffolk University Law School in conjunction with Suffolk University award dual degrees in:

  • JD/MBA: 72 Law credits, 36 graduate credits
  • JD/LLM in Taxation: 96 Law credits
  • JD/MSLL: 84 Law credits, 15 graduate credits
  • JD/MPA: 80 Law credits, 30 graduate credits
  • JD/MSF: 78 Law credits, 32-41 graduate credits
  • JD/MSCJS: 80 Law credits, 24 graduate credits
  • More information on dual degrees

Concentrations for JD students:

The Law School currently offers concentrations in: Trial and Appellate Advocacy, Business Law & Financial Services, Health/Biomedical Law, Intellectual Property, International Law and Legal Innovation and Technology. Additional information on concentrations.

The transcript notation certifies the completion of an academic concentration only and not a practice specialty.

Graduation Latin Honors

  • Summa Cum Laude: Students in the top 3 percent in each division.
  • Magna Cum Laude: Students in top 8 percent in each division but below the standards for Summa Cum Laude
  • Cum Laude: Students in top 25 percent in each division but below the standards for Magna Cum Laude.

For the purposes of determining honors, the January and May graduates of the same calendar year will be considered the graduating class. Honor determinations for September graduates will be based on the honor determinations made in the preceding May of the same calendar year.

For more information visit the Law School Academic Honors Site.