Undergraduate Catalog 2007-2008
UDM Academic PoliciesCourse DescriptionsList of All ProgramsFaculty

Admission to the University
Admissions, Costs & Academics

UDM is a “moderately selective” university according to most college guide books, admitting freshmen students who are “above average” in their high school record and ACT or SAT college test scores. Admission for transfer students is based primarily on an applicant’s record in previous college courses, a record which must demonstrate a strong probability of successfully completing the desired academic program listed on the application. For both freshmen and transfer students, special attention is paid to achievement in courses which relate closely to the intended area of study at UDM.

Admission to the University
Admissions Office: 100 Fisher Administrative Center
4001 W. McNichols Road
Telephone: (313) 993-1245
Outside Metro Detroit: (800) 635-5020
E-mail: admissions@udmercy.edu.
Detroit, MI 48221-3038

A visit to campus is highly recommended. Visitors have an opportunity to discuss their academic plans with an admissions counselor and often are able to meet with students and faculty in the program they would like to enter. As a result, people who visit often have a much better idea of whether or not UDM is indeed the best place for them.

Admissions criteria differ depending on the educational goal at UDM and whether or not the applicant has had previous college experience. Most people will be reviewed either as freshmen (no previous college experience at all), transfers (previous enrollment at a community college or four-year institution), and international students (all applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents). People enrolling for undergraduate courses who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university are considered “post-degree” students. Students enrolled at other colleges who wish to take UDM courses and transfer them back to their regular institution enroll as “guest” students. Details in each of these areas are provided below.

UDM is committed to equal educational opportunity in admissions regardless of age, sex, sexual preference, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, handicap, military service, height, weight, marital status or political belief. UDM reserves the right to review the individual circumstances of applicants who have been convicted of criminal offenses.

To request information or make an appointment with an admissions counselor, call or e-mail the Admissions Office.

As a comprehensive urban university, UDM enrolls students of all ages in daytime, evening and weekend programs. Students over the age of 23, who have not previously attended college, are not required to take traditional college entrance exams for freshmen, but must submit high school transcripts and may be asked to complete academic placement tests as part of the admissions process to help them begin college work in the most appropriate courses.

Many academic programs offer flexible scheduling. Depending on the area of study, several courses are offered during day, evening and weekend timeslots.

Freshman Admissions

Recommended High School Preparation
High school graduates should complete a college preparatory program with a minimum of 16 units of credit. The recommended minimum distribution of these units includes: four units of college preparatory English, three units of mathematics, two units of history and/or social studies, two units of natural science including a laboratory course, and study in speech, foreign language, music, art, or other college prep subjects. For Engineering and Science and Premedical/Pre-Dental programs, four units of mathematics, one unit of chemistry and one unit of physics are strongly recommended. Nursing applicants should have one unit each of chemistry, biology and algebra.

In making an admissions decision, the overall strength of the high school courses completed is important. Applicants who have completed advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and honors courses, for instance, are recognized for the special effort they have made to complete the strongest possible college prep program while in high school.

To receive information about academic programs at UDM and procedures for submitting admissions applications students should visit our website at www.udmercy.edu, E-mail requests to admissions@udmercy.edu or call the Admissions Office at (800) 635-5020. People who prefer to write should send their request to the Admissions Office, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038. Applicants should request their official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT I test scores be sent directly to the Admissions Office at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Deadlines for Freshmen Applications
Preferential treatment is given to applications completed prior to April 1 for the Fall or Summer Terms. Students who seek scholarships or other financial aid should apply for admission as early as possible, preferably by January 1. Freshmen who apply for January admission should plan to do so no later than November 15. Most applicants can expect to receive a decision within two or three weeks after their application and credentials are received.

Enrollment Confirmation
Accepted students are required to make a deposit to guarantee their place in freshmen classes. The deposit is credited to first semester tuition and fees.

ACT or SAT Results
Freshmen can submit the test scores most commonly taken by high school students in their home state and no preference is given to either ACT or SAT I. Students who would like to receive an admissions decision as soon as possible in the fall should plan to take their test in the second semester of their Junior year, but tests taken in the Senior year are also acceptable. The admissions process will move more quickly if test results are sent directly to UDM by either ACT or SAT. To do this, simply list UDM as a test score recipient when the test is taken. The UDM code number for the ACT is 2060 and the code number for the SAT is 1835.

Advanced Placement Program
The University participates in the Advanced Placement Program (APP), a service of the College Board. Superior students may take one or more college-level courses while in high school. Students may obtain college credit and advanced standing (in most cases) for grades of three or higher on the APP examinations. Students planning to attend UDM should request that the results of the examination be sent to University of Detroit Mercy at the time of testing. Information on specific UDM course equivalences for APP examinations is available from the Admissions Office.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme focuses on three core requirements including extended essay, theory of knowledge, and creativity, action, and service. UDM values this challenging program and freshmen students with successful results may obtain college credit and advanced standing (in most cases).

Transfer Student Admission

UDM welcomes applications from students who have begun their studies at community colleges or other four-year institutions. Admissions counselors who work only with transfer applicants provide information, advice and assistance for students considering transfer to UDM. While a 2.O GPA in previous college work is considered the minimum acceptable for admission, many academic departments require a higher performance level of at least 2.5 in previous college work. As with high school applicants, individual academic programs may also require successful completion of specific courses. Applicants whose records otherwise make them eligible for admission may complete required courses at UDM and then seek entry directly to their desired program.

Recommended Preparation Before Transferring
Students planning in advance to transfer from community colleges should select courses which satisfy basic UDM core requirements and the requirements of the college, school or program in which they intend to enroll. Transfer Guides, which list transferable core courses for many Michigan community colleges, are available on our website. UDM’s Core Curriculum, which is required of all undergraduates, may be found in the "Schools and Colleges" section with specific requirements of each college and school.

Community College Articulation Agreements
Community colleges in the Detroit metropolitan area have designated liaison counselors to provide assistance to those students planning to enroll at UDM. These individuals are well qualified to provide guidance to students on UDM program requirements.

UDM has a number of “2 + 2’’ and “articulation agreements’’ with community colleges and other four-year institutions. Students enrolled in programs covered by such an agreement complete designated courses at their institution and are then assured of the transferability of all designated credits earned. Information on current agreements may be obtained from your community college counseling office or the UDM Admissions Office.

ACT or SAT Results
Results of ACT or SAT I testing are required of transfer students who have earned less than 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of credit at another accredited institution. Applicants 23 years of age or older need not submit test results.

Transcripts and Transfer of Credit
Transfer applicants must have official transcripts sent directly to the Admissions Office from each college previously attended. Applicants may not disregard attendance at any institution. A single transcript which reflects course work at two or more institutions is not adequate for admissions evaluation. High school transcripts are required of applicants who have earned less than 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of college credits.

Transcripts are evaluated and credit is granted for work satisfactorily completed at another accredited college or university if the work is equivalent in character and content to UDM courses. Only courses completed with a grade of “C’’ or better are considered for credit.

UDM accepts a maximum of 63 semester hours of credit transferred from a community college or 96 semester hours transferred from a four-year institution. In some cases, articulation or 2 + 2 agreements may specifically permit a limited number of hours in excess of the 63-hour maximum.

High school or college transcripts sent to UDM for admission application and/or transfer of credit evaluation are not given back to the student. These documents can be viewed as part of your academic file but we do not photocopy or reissue them.

Applications and Information for Transfer Students
To receive information about academic programs at UDM and procedures for submitting admissions applications students should visit our website at www.udmercy.edu, E-mail requests to admissions@udmercy.edu or call the Admissions Office at (800) 635-5020. People who prefer to write should send their request to the Admissions Office, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 West McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038. Applicants should request their official transcripts be sent directly to the Admissions Office at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Application Deadlines
Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. UDM cannot assure that admission decisions will be completed for transfer students whose files are incomplete as of August 1 for Term I (Fall), December 1 for Term II (Winter) or April 1 for Summer. Students who plan to seek scholarship and financial aid should apply at lease three months earlier than these admission deadlines to obtain the maximum assistance available.

Notification of Acceptance
Applicants are usually notified of an admissions decision within two weeks after their file is complete.

Special Admissions Program
University Academic Services sponsors a limited conditional admission program, University College (UC), for freshmen and transfer students who do not meet regular admission criteria but who show potential for academic success. Students are selected for participation in UC through application review and interviews. Students admitted through this process must sign a contract agreeing to specific conditions, and are linked to necessary support services and developmental advising. Students may be referred for consideration for UC after initial evaluation of their files is completed in the Admissions Office.

International Student Admission

Requirements
Applicants for undergraduate programs must be academically above average and must have completed studies equivalent to those of American high school graduates (twelve years of pre-university study). They also must have received the appropriate certificates enabling them to pursue university studies in their own countries.

Graduate students from abroad must provide evidence of completion or near completion of at least four years of university studies leading to a degree equivalent to an American bachelor's degree. Applicants are expected to present evidence of superior performance in their undergraduate work.

Students must complete the International Student Application rather than the one for U.S. students. International applications should be completed online.

University of Detroit Mercy
Office of Admissions
4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221-3038

English Proficiency
A TOEFL score is not required for admission to UDM. However, students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Detroit Test of American English upon arrival at the University. Students who present a score of 250 and a writing score of 5 on the TOEFL test will be exempt from the Detroit Test. Previous enrollment in a language program or previous enrollment in a college or university without graduation is not sufficient for the testing requirement to be waived. Students whose scores on the Detroit Test indicate that they are not yet proficient in English are required to enroll in the American Language and Culture Program (see below). Depending upon their score, students will be assigned to Intensive English (23 hours per week), Intermediate English (9 hours per week) or Advanced English (3 hours per week). Students assigned to Intensive English are not permitted to enroll in academic classes. Students assigned to Intermediate or Advanced English are required to take academic classes in addition to their English classes.

American Language and Culture Program
The American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) helps international students from many different backgrounds to develop their English-language skills and to increase their knowledge of American culture. The program provides English-proficiency testing and placement services to newly-arrived UDM international students and offers classes in English as a Second Language in a curriculum designed to match the needs of academic students at UDM. Students who have not been admitted to an academic program, but who wish to develop their English proficiency, are also welcome to apply.

Financial Support
Federal (U.S.) financial aid is not available to students from outside the United States. These students are expected to provide evidence of adequate financial support to cover all expenses for their entire course of study. Forms for this purpose are available from International Services and are included in the International Student Application package.

Undergraduate students with a diploma from a U.S. high school and Canadian undergraduates may qualify for UDM academic awards. Undergraduate students transferring to UDM from another U.S. or Canadian college or university are eligible for a $2000 UDM grant, which is renewable each year. Further information on these scholarship opportunities is available from the Financial Aid Office. Graduate students may qualify for a limited number of teaching or research assistantships. Students should contact their academic department for additional information.

Transfer Students
Students who already have an F-1 visa and wish to transfer from another U.S. school to University of Detroit Mercy must inform the foreign student advisor or other Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school of their intention to transfer to UDM. Students who are eligible for transfer per immigration regulations will receive a UDM I-20 when they arrive on campus and enroll in classes. Students who plan to travel outside the U.S. before enrolling at UDM must obtain their UDM I-20 before departing the country. This new I-20 must be presented at the U.S. port of entry when the student returns.

Post-Degree Admission

Applicants admitted as Post-Degree include students who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and wish to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses to prepare for admission to a graduate program; plan to earn a second bachelor’s degree; and those seeking teacher certification. Post-Degree students follow the same application procedure as transfer students, but the only transcript required is from the undergraduate degree-granting institution. Post-Degree students must maintain the same academic standards and meet the same class requirements and course prerequisites as other students. Post degree students are not eligible to take graduate level courses.

Special Collegiate Admission

High school students (at the junior level or higher) may apply to enroll at UDM while working toward graduation at his/her high school. Students should complete and submit a UDM undergraduate admissions applications.

Special Collegiate students may take up to a total of 12 credit hours in courses subject to approval of their UDM advisor. Course work completed at UDM by a Special Collegiate student may count toward the high school diploma if approved by the student’s high school. This course work will be credited toward the UDM degree if they subsequently enroll as regular students and may be evaluated for credit toward a degree at other accredited post-secondary institutions.

If Special Collegiate students wish to enroll at UDM as a degree-seeking freshmen, they need to apply for Freshmen Admission during their senior year of high school (or home schooled equivalent).

For Home Schooled Applicants

University of Detroit Mercy welcomes home schooled students to apply for admission. Applicants should submit either ACT or SAT I scores and documentation of their academic progress (and ultimately, documentation of their completion of high school) from their affiliated home schooling agency, local school district or State Department of Education. Once the Admissions Application has been received, the Admissions Office may contact the applicant to request additional information such as (but not limited to) portfolios, essays or writing samples and grading scale information.

Unclassified Admission

People who do not plan to pursue a degree program at UDM but wish to enroll in a limited number of credit classes for professional development may be admitted as Unclassified students. Unclassified students may “audit” (attend classes without receiving credit or a grade), however, tuition is at the same rate as regularly admitted students.

An admissions application must be submitted together with an employer recommendation or copy of professional licensure. Unclassified students are limited to two courses per term up to a maximum of 12 credit hours. Admission of Unclassified students and their continued registration in classes is limited based on the number of degree-seeking students in a program or course.

Guest Student Admission

Students enrolled at another college or university who wish to take a course or limited number of courses to transfer to their “home’’ institution may enroll as “guest students.” Students apply for guest student admission by filing the Michigan Uniform Undergraduate Guest Application or a similar form from another state. Forms can be obtained from the registrar of any Michigan college or university. http://www.udmercy.edu/registrar/forms.htm Guest applicants are not required to submit transcripts or test results, but must assure that the application is completed by the dean or registrar at the home institution. Guest students must have at least a 2.0 GPA at their regular college or university as noted on the Uniform Application.

Guest student status is not continuous.

A new application must be filed with the Registrar’s office for each term in which the student desires to enroll at UDM. Guest students are subject to the same academic standing policies as other UDM students. Failure to meet these standards may be cause for denial of future guest applications to UDM.

Readmission

Readmission Process
Students who have not enrolled at UDM for two or more years, or those who have been dismissed and wish to seek readmission, need to submit an application for readmission. These students apply for readmission by completing a readmission application obtained from the Registrar’s office, can be found on-line or from any of the college offices. Students who have completed college work at other institutions prior to applying for readmission to UDM will be expected to submit official transcripts from each college attended. Completed readmission applications should be sent to the appropriate college/school within the University to which the student wishes to apply. Readmission is subject to the approval of the dean of the college.

Catalog of Entry
Students whose work at UDM is interrupted for less than two years retain the right to the requirements of their Catalog of entry if the program still exists. Readmitted students are not entitled to complete a program that is no longer offered by the University. Students who have not completed work at UDM for two years or more will have their previous work re-evaluated according to the requirements of the Catalog in effect at the point of readmission.

Transfer Option
After an absence of at least one year, students may request readmission under the Transfer Option. Under this option, students are treated as transfer students in computing their academic standing. This means that students may reenter with advanced standing but with no previously accumulated grade point average. When considering students’ academic history, no course with a grade of C- or below is counted in credits earned toward graduation.

Students may be readmitted under the transfer option only once, and are automatically considered to be on academic probation during the term of re-entry. Students readmitted under the transfer option will not be eligible to receive the repeated course option on subsequent course work.

Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admissions Process

UDM subscribes to the principles of good practice of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). According to these principles, applicants for admission have the right:

  • 1. To full information from colleges and universities concerning their admission and financial policies. Prior to applying, applicants should be fully informed of policies and procedures concerning application fees, deposits, refunds, housing and financial aid.
  • 2. To wait to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid until having heard from all colleges and universities to which they have applied, or until May 1, whichever is earlier. This means that no college should require a non-refundable enrollment deposit before May 1. Applicants being asked to provide a non refundable deposit before May 1 should ask the college requesting it for the name and address of a state representative of NACAC or contact the national NACAC office in Washington, D.C.

According to the NACAC principles, applicants have the responsibility:

  • 1. To be aware of the admissions and financial aid policies of colleges and universities to which they apply for admission.
  • 2. To complete and submit required material to colleges and universities.
  • 3. To meet all application deadlines.
  • 4. To follow college application procedures of the high school or college they are attending.
  • 5. To notify the colleges and universities which have offered admission of their acceptance or rejection of their offer as soon as they have heard from all to which the applicant has applied or by May 1, whichever is earlier.

College of Business Administration

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College of Engineering & Science

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College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing

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College of Liberal Arts & Education

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School of Architecture

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School of Dentistry

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School of Law

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For more information about UDM, or to apply online, go to www.udmercy.edu/apply.


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