Academic Standards

Admission guarantees the Scholar a place in Marquette Law School, after completion of the third year of undergraduate studies and by completing the Marquette Core Curriculum (MCC) requirements, the respective undergraduate college curriculum and major requirements, such that no greater than 29 total elective credits remain to complete the undergraduate degree.

Students maintain a place in the Law School by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • Have a cumulative 3.450 grade point average OR a grade point average that is equal to or greater than the median GPA of the preceding year’s entering class (whichever is lesser) by the time of application/entrance to Marquette Law School. This includes all college course work whether taken at Marquette University or at another institution. Note: this encompasses all transfer course work from other institutions whether summer sessions, concurrent course work, or college credit obtained via a dual enrollment program while in high school. Specific questions regarding this standard should be directed to the Law School Office of Admissions.
  • Be on track to complete undergraduate degree requirements, such that no greater than 29 total elective credits remain to complete the undergraduate degree upon law school entry in the fourth year. Students must complete the Marquette Core Curriculum (MCC), undergraduate college curriculum, and all major requirements prior to matriculation in the Law School. Students must work with their academic and pre-law advisers toward assuring fulfillment of their undergraduate coursework and graduation requirement.
  • Earn a score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) of 155 OR one that is equal to or greater than the median score of the preceding year’s entering class to the Law School (i.e., the currently enrolled first-year class during the year that you apply to the Law School), whichever is lesser. The LSAT must be taken no later than February of the year that you will apply to the Law School. The Law School’s Admissions Committee will consider the highest score you receive. Your pre-law adviser and/or the Law School Office of Admissions can provide you with information on the nature of this exam, the score required, and the dates on which it is offered. Some students may find that they need to take the LSAT more than once.
  • Meet the Law School’s standards for character and fitness. Behaviors and/ or activities that lead to university discipline or probation may result in removal from the program and impact admission to the Marquette University Law School. Such activities include academic dishonesty or ANY activity deemed inappropriate, unethical, or illegal. This includes activities outside the reach of the university’s Standards of Conduct.
  • Apply to the Law School. Prior to enrolling in the Law School, completion of the application for law school admission is required, including meeting appropriate deadlines for application, tuition deposits, etc. This process necessarily includes subscribing to the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service. Early entry applicants will be required to submit confirmation of eligibility to apply for early entry to the Law School from their undergraduate college. Further, and as necessary, they may also be asked to provide updated undergraduate transcripts during the application and/or enrollment processes.

Note: Students who are on track to fulfill the MCC, undergraduate curriculum and major requirements, and other criteria as listed above, but do not meet the above academic standards for GPA and/or LSAT may elect to apply to the Law School and be considered for early admission as part of the general applicant pool. In such instances, admission to the Law School is not guaranteed. If such students are not admitted to the Law School, they may complete their senior year to fulfill remaining graduation requirements, and they reapply to the Law School in a subsequent admissions cycle.

Above Academic Standards revised March 2022. Applicable to all Pre-Law Scholars admitted to the undergraduate portion of the program March 2022 and beyond.

Pre-2022 Standards