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Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020
College of Liberal Arts & Education
Introduction
Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ’s College of Liberal Arts & Education remains steadfast in its 142-year-old mission to inspire and prepare students for many possible careers, lives rich in meaning with an understanding and appreciation of diversity of thought and culture, and hearts touched and impassioned by social justice.
As part of a Catholic university, grounded in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, our programs extend beyond academics and both encourage and incorporate applied learning experiences to serve those in need, develop lifelong friendships and strengthen our community. Our small class sizes, student-faculty relationships and the academic rigor of our professional faculty, create a unique and effective learning environment within the City of Detroit.
The College provides more than 20 diverse majors, numerous minors and certificates, and several five-year accelerated bachelor’s to master’s programs at the undergraduate level that encourage academic inquiry and scholarship that examines enduring questions and fosters innovative thinking. At the graduate level, the College offers more than 20 programs and post degree certificates, including online, accredited programs, to deepen knowledge and expertise, generate new knowledge, cultivate personal enrichment and contribute though leadership in their fields of study.
Through a solid grounding in the liberal arts, our graduates emerge as creative and critical thinkers, strong communicators, leaders and team collaborators — the enduring and adaptable skills that employers and graduate schools demand and that are always relevant in an ever-changing world.
About the College
Contact Information
Mark Denham, Ph.D., Dean
Briggs Building, Room 120
McNichols Campus
Phone: 313-993-3250
FAX: 313-993-1266
Email: denhamma@udmercy.edu
Victoria Mantzopoulos, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Briggs Building, Room 120
McNichols Campus
Phone: 313-993-3254
FAX: 313-993-1266
Email: armstrov@udmercy.edu
College Office
College of Liberal Arts & Education
Briggs Building, Room 108
Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ
4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
Phone: 313-993-1287
FAX: 313-993-1166
Email: clae@udmercy.edu
Degrees
Accelerated Five-Year Programs
Students who are enrolled in accelerated five-year bachelor/master's programs can take up to four graduate-level courses at the 5000-level or above in their senior year (up to 12 credits total with a maximum of six credits in one term and six in the second term) while an undergraduate student when approved by the director of the graduate program and the dean's office as part of the five-year curriculum plan for their degrees. Such courses cannot be counted for credit towards their undergraduate degree and would appear only on a graduate transcript. The student must have earned senior status with at least 95 credit hours and have maintained at least a 3.25 GPA in all terms at Detroit Mercy.
In order to complete both the bachelor's and master's degrees in five years, the student must maintain an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà and maintain full-time enrollment in each semester of the five years (10 consecutive semesters). See program details for additional requirements.
CLAE Policies
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Directed Studies
A directed study is intended to provide a student the opportunity to conduct an in-depth examination of a topic that is not typically offered in a traditional course. A directed study is not intended to duplicate or act as a substitute for a required course. A directed study course should demand a substantial project which is equivalent to an upper division course in the department. The details of the work must be specified in a directed study contract. There are several limitations and requirements for directed study courses. For further information, timeline, and requirements, click here for the Directed Studies policy.
Grade Grievances
In some instances a student may believe that the final grade received in a particular course is unjustified. In such cases the student may choose to appeal the grade received. Each college or school has published written grievance procedures which must be followed. In general, students are advised to consult with the instructor concerned prior to beginning the appeals process. All appeals should be filed in a timely manner, within 30 days after the final grade is issued. Click here for a copy of the Academic Policy, Procedure, and Petition.
The process includes moving the grievance through various stages including through the instructor, chairperson, a College committee composed of faculty and students, and then the dean. The decision of the dean is final. All grade appeals must be finalized before a degree can be conferred. Appeals to the vice president for Academic Affairs will be considered only on procedural grounds.
Transfer Credits
Graduation & Commencement
Application for Graduation
An “Application for Graduation” should be filed early in the academic year in which the student intends to graduate. Candidates for degrees must complete their application in the Self-Service portion in My Portal. Application deadlines are set by the University. Be sure to follow all necessary steps and additional deadlines outlined by the Registrar such as RSVPs, caps and gowns, etc. Applications received after the deadline or failure to RSVP by the deadline may result in denial to participate in the commencement ceremony and/or delay in the date of graduation.
Commencement
The Commencement ceremony occurs once a year in May. Students must apply for graduation to be considered eligible for Commencement. Students who have completed their degree requirements at any point in the preceding academic year are invited to participate. June and August graduates may be permitted to participate in the May Commencement exercises with permission of the Dean’s Office as long as they are enrolled in all of the courses to complete their degree by August. Participation in Commencement will be denied to students who have more than 12 credit hours remaining. The remaining credit hours cannot include the math requirement or ENL 1310 Academic Writing (or its equivalent). Applications received after the deadline or failure to RSVP by the deadline may result in denial to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Commencement is ceremonial; participation in Commencement exercises does not assure that all requirements have been met or that a degree has been or will be granted.