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Graduate Catalog 2020-2021



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.

Admission Requirements

Entering first-year students are admitted only once each year in August. Detroit Mercy Law accepts  for the fall and spring terms and for all terms.

To be considered for first-time admission, an applicant must have or expect to receive a bachelor's degree by the summer preceding admission and must have taken the  within the past five years.

We encourage candidates to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and to perform at the 50th percentile or better on the LSAT for admission. However, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application including, but not limited to the following:

  • Letters of recommendation
  • Employment, private and public service, or both
  • The personal statement
  • Resume
  • Undergraduate performance
  • English proficiency

Degree Requirements

Foundation Courses:

  • LAW 1060 Introduction to Legal Research & Communication I (1 credit)
  • LAW 1061 Introduction to Legal Research & Communication II (1 credit)
  • LAW 1080 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis I (2 credits)
  • LAW 1081 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis II (3 credits)
  • LAW 1110 Contracts I* (3 credits)
  • LAW 1111 Contracts II* (3 credits)
  • LAW 1120 Property I* (3 credits)
  • LAW 1121 Property II* (3 credits)
  • LAW 1130 Torts* (4 credits)
  • LAW 1140 Criminal Law* (3 credits)
  • LAW 1152 Civil Procedure* (4 credits)

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 3 credit hours:
  • PYC 5000 Social Psychology
  • PYC 5420 Principles and Issues: Child and Adolescent Development

 

Student Handbook

Detroit Mercy Law Student Handbook 

Contact Information

Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law
651 East Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
Telephone: 313-596-0200
Fax: 313-596-0280
Email: law@udmercy.edu

Dean: Phyllis L. Crocker
Telephone: (313) 596-0210
Fax: 313-596-0280
Email: crockepl@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