JD Degree

Description

The JD curriculum at Detroit Mercy Law provides students a strong foundation in the substantive and procedural law that forms the core of the traditional American law school curriculum; a thorough grounding in the ethical principles and rules governing the legal profession; high quality instruction in legal research, analysis, and writing; and experiential learning courses that allow students to represent clients and to participate in sophisticated simulated practice experiences. The curriculum integrates theory, doctrine, and practice. We strive through our curriculum to inculcate in students the competencies necessary to the practice of law as well as the highest ideals of the profession.

Graduation requires accumulation of 90 credit hours and includes required courses and electives.

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    Admission Requirements

    The School of Law offers full-time day, part-time day, and extended-day divisions for the JD program of study. Entrance requirements and the admission procedures are identical for all divisions.

    Applicants are selected for admission to the School of Law on the basis of a comparative evaluation of the credentials submitted by the applicant pool. Entering first-year students are admitted once each year in August. Detroit Mercy Law also accepts Transfer Applicants for the fall and winter terms and Guest Applicants for all terms to the JD program. Transfer and guest applicants may apply now.

    Admission to the School of Law requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by the summer preceding admission. Applicants are encouraged to maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better and to perform at the 50th percentile or better on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) for admission. However, applicants are considered based on all aspects of the application.

    To be considered, an applicant must submit a completed application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), along with a current LSAT score from within the past five years, a CAS Report, at least two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.

    Applicants can learn more and apply online at https://law.udmercy.edu/. Inquiries should be directed to the law admissions team at lawadmissions@udmercy.edu.

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    Degree Requirements

    Foundation Courses:

    Core Courses:

    • LAW 2060 Constitutional Law*^^ (4 credits)
    • LAW 2220 Evidence*^^ (4 credits)
    • LAW 2470 Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
    • Upper Level Writing Requirement^ (2-3 credits)
    • Clinic^ (2-4 credits)
    • Law Firm Program^ (3 credits)
    • Global Law^ (1-3 credits)
    • Electives** (credits vary)

    * A minimum grade of 2.2 is required for course to meet graduation requirements.

    ^ Attributes of Upper Level Writing Requirement, Clinic, Law Firm Program, or Global Law course requirements will be listed on applicable courses in the Class Schedule.

    ^^ Students must take these courses within the first 60 hours.

    ** Students must take a minimum of 34 elective credit hours to satisfy the degree requirement of 90 credit hours.

    Concentrations

    For a concentration in Immigration Law, students must complete 15 credit hours with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the following courses. Students may not opt to take any of these courses Pass/No Pass.

    One of the following courses:
    • LAW 2960 U.S. Immigration Law or
    • LAW 6230 U.S. and Canadian Immigration Law (both taught at the School of Law) or
    • 08 98 9571 Canadian Immigration Law (taught at University of Windsor) for 3 credits
    At least 12 credits from the following courses:


    For a concentration in Family Law, students must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours with a 3.0 GPA in the following courses. Students may not opt to take any of these courses Pass/No Pass.

    A minimum of six credit hours from the following courses:
    • LAW 2240 Family Law (2 or 3 credits)
    • LAW 3350 Juvenile Justice Law (3 credits)
    • LAW 3360 Children and the Law (3 credits)
    • LAW 4380 Selected Topics in Family Law Seminar (2 credits)
    Three credit hours from one of the following Law Firm Program offerings:
    • LAW 7080 Family Law Law Firm Program (3 credits)
    • LAW 7240 Children and the Law Child Welfare Proceedings Law Firm Program (3 credits)
    • LAW 7380 Juvenile Justice Law Firm Program (3 credits)
    Two credit hours selected from an approved externship or clinic including:
    • Family Court
    • Judicial Clerkships
    • Detroit Center for Family Advocacy William Booth (Salvation Army) Legal Aid Clinic
    • LAW 5100 Juvenile Appellate Clinic (3 credits)
    Students are strongly encouraged to cross enroll in one of the following psychology courses on the McNichols Campus for a minimum of three credit hours:
    • PYC 5000 Social Psychology
    • PYC 5420 Principles and Issues: Child and Adolescent Development

     

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    Student Handbook

    Detroit Mercy Law Student Handbook 
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    Contact Information

    University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
    651 East Jefferson Ave.
    Detroit, MI 48226
    Telephone: 313-596-0200
    Fax: 313-596-0280
    Email: law@udmercy.edu
    Website

    Dean: Jelani Jefferson Exum
    Telephone: 313-596-0210
    Fax: 313-596-0280
    Email: jefferje1@udmercy.edu

    Associate Dean for Enrollment Management and Communications: Jennifer Rumschlag
    Telephone: 313-596-0264 or toll-free: 1-866-428-1610
    Fax: 313-596-0280
    Email: rumschjl@udmercy.edu 

Detroit Mercy Catalogs


Graduate Catalog
2021-2022