Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ

Ìý

Detroit Mercy Logo



Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025




Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program - English Major

Description

Detroit Mercy's Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program makes it possible for students to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a Juris Doctor (law degree) with six years of full-time study instead of the traditional seven.

As a broad overview, students spend the first three years at the McNichols Campus fulfilling the requirements of the University Core Curriculum and the major (90 credits). The last three years are at the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law completing the Juris Doctor requirements.

Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Arts with a major in English, concentrations in literature, creative writing, or professional writing (120 credits)

A minimum of 120 total credit hours in relevant coursework is required for the Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and concentration in Literature. To obtain the undergraduate degree, a degree candidate must successfully complete the University's Core Curriculum and all department-designated major program courses, reaching a minimum of 90 credits within three years and have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 by the end of their junior year. After successful completion of their first-year classes at Detroit Mercy Law, credits will transfer back to the undergraduate institution to count as general electives.

In addition to the Detroit Mercy Core Curriculum, students majoring in English for the Accelerated 6-year (3+3) Law Program are required to complete the following courses:


The following three courses are required for the Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program:

  • LST 2000 Introduction to Legal Studies (3 credits) OR  POL 2010 Introduction to Law and the Judiciary (3 credits)
  • POL 2020 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)
  • POL 3420 American Constitution and Public Law (3 credits)

To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the program major and complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. All English majors must officially declare a concentration through the College of Liberal Arts & Education office.

The English major consists of 12 courses (36 credits) in English and includes a set of requirements for a 21-credit concentration that each student must fulfill. Graduating seniors must submit a final portfolio of their work.

Concentrations in English have varying requirements drawn from the categories below. Please refer to the curriculum section for the specific requirements relevant to each concentration. Individual courses will count toward only one of following categories of requirement.

Literature Written Before 1700: Courses in literature written in English before 1700 include Medieval Literature, Renaissance Literature and designated topics courses and seminars.

Literature Written Between 1700-1900: Courses in literature written in English between 1700 and 1900 include American Literature to 1865, American Literature 1865-1920, 18th Century British Literature, 19th Century British Literature and designated topics courses and seminars.

Diverse Literatures: Courses designated as diverse literatures examine literary, rhetorical, and cultural productions originating outside of dominant social groups and formations; address issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and ability; and/or engage with postcolonial/diasporic literatures. Courses in this category include Diverse Voices in Literature, African American Literature and designated topics courses and seminars.

Topics Courses: Topics courses introduce students to primary areas of inquiry in current literary and rhetorical studies through focused examinations of related literary and cultural texts. Emphasis is also given to the evaluation and application of theoretical approaches relevant to those areas.

Seminars: Seminars engage students in advanced examinations of topics reflecting the full range of the English curriculum. Emphasis is given to intensive reading, collaborative discussion, and original student research in focused areas of inquiry. Seminars culminate in students producing a substantial piece of original, scholarly writing.

Final Portfolio: Graduating English majors will present a portfolio of selected materials that reflect their development and growth in the program. These materials will be accompanied by a reflective essay that discusses their own appraisal of whether and how they have met the program outcomes. English majors cannot be awarded their degree and English minors cannot earn their minor without completing their final portfolio.


Requirements for the English Major

Below are the foundational requirements for the English major which consists of 15 credits. All English majors must declare a concentration in literature, professional writing or creative writing which consists of 21 credits specified in each concentration.

Required (3 credits):

  • ENL 2060 Introduction to Professional Writing (3 credits)

One of the following genre courses (3 credits):

One of the Following Courses in Diverse Literatures (3 credits):

  • ENL 2750 Diverse Voices in Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 2850 African American Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

One of the following courses in literature written before 1700 (3 credits):

  • ENL 3130 Medieval Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3140 Renaissance Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

One of the following courses in literature written between 1700 and 1900 (3 credits):

  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) 
  • ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)
  • ENL 3150 18th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3160 19th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

Final portfolio

Students must complete a final portfolio.

Concentrations

You must declare and complete one of the following concentrations:

Literature Concentration (21 credits)

Required (3 credits):

  • ENL 3000 Writing About Literature (3 credits)

Six English (ENL) electives (18 credits):

  • Three ENL courses at the 4000-level (ENL 4000 is excluded) (9 credits)
  • Three ENL electives (9 credits)

Creative Writing Concentration (21 credits)

Required (6 credits):

  • ENL 2050 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3850 Intermediate Creative Writing (3 credits)

Five English (ENL) electives (15 credits)

  • Two ENL courses at the 4000-level (ENL 4000 is excluded) (6 credits)
  • Three ENL electives (9 credits)

Professional Writing Concentration (21 credits)

Required (6 credits):

Five English (ENL) electives (15 credits)

  • Two ENL courses at the 4000-level (ENL 4000 is excluded) (6 credits)
  • Three ENL electives (9 credits)

Please Note:

ENL 1300 College Writing (3 credits) and ENL 1310 Academic Writing (3 credits) do not earn credit for the English major.

Admission Requirements

New students enrolling in the Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program must be seniors in high school with a 3.5 grade point average and 1280 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT.

Candidates who meet the above criteria will be invited to continue to the next phase of the admissions process, which includes completing an admission interview or essay and submitting an additional letter of recommendation.

Information for Undergraduate Students in this Program

A student who has enrolled in the Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate majoring in English at Detroit Mercy each fall and winter term.

All necessary undergraduate course work must be completed at the McNichols Campus within the three calendar years immediately prior to beginning the law school phase of the program at the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law. Students must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, as well as the required courses in the major and must have a minimum of 90 credits in this area.

Apply to the School of Law during your junior year
Students will be eligible to apply for the law school phase of the program in their third year of undergraduate studies. The following requirements must be met:

  • The College of Liberal Arts & Education must certify that the student has or will have completed and passed all of the University and major requirements necessary for the conferral of his/her undergraduate degree (other than general elective credits) by the end of the junior year.
  • The student must:
    • Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.5 at the end of the junior year.
    • Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than December of the junior year and obtain a score of at least 154.
    • Complete the Detroit Mercy Law admission application with all required components by Feb. 1 of the junior year.
    • Meet the character and fitness requirements for admission to Detroit Mercy Law.
    • Interview with the Detroit Mercy Law Admission Committee.

Law School Admission Requirements

Third-year Detroit Mercy undergraduate students in this program will be eligible for admission into the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law by meeting the following criteria, which include having:

  • Completed at least three years of appropriate coursework at Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ;
  • Completed the undergraduate major and Core Curriculum requirements with a minimum of 90 course credits;
  • Earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 by the end of their junior year;
  • Scored at least a 154 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT);
  • Remained in good academic and disciplinary standing;
  • Completed the application process for Detroit Mercy Law; and
  • Met all of the fitness, character and other criteria for admission required by Detroit Mercy Law.

Participating in the Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program does not guarantee entrance to the law school. If Detroit Mercy Law does not grant admission, then a student remains in the undergraduate program to complete the bachelor’s degree. The student may then apply to law school through the regular law school admission process. The student will need to consult with his/her academic advisor for the best course of action

Eligible students may apply only to the American J.D. Program. Students are not eligible for admission to the Canadian and American Dual J.D. (Dual J.D.) Program. If a student is interested in the Dual J.D. Program, he/she must apply through the regular admissions process. Students who do not meet all of the criteria for admission under the program or who are denied admission are welcome to apply for regular admission at the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law in their senior year.

Financial Considerations

In accordance with University policy on similar joint programs, students admitted under the program are considered graduate/professional students for financial aid purposes and will be considered for scholarship consideration at the time of admission to the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law.

Example Undergraduate Course Schedule (Years 1-4)

The schedule below is intended only as a guide. Course availability may vary by semester. To achieve the minimum 90 credits from the University Core Curriculum and the major within three years, students must maintain full-time status each fall and winter semester and take 15 to 18 credits per semester.

Year 1

Fall Semester  (15-18 credits) - Year 1
Core Curriculum A2: Academic Writing
Core Curriculum E2: Study of Fiction/Poetry/Drama (3 English major credits)
Core Curriculum Flex (1)*
Core Curriculum Flex (2)*
POL 2010: Introduction to the Law and Judiciary
General Elective

Winter Semester (15-18 credits) - Year 1
Core Curriculum A1: Fundamentals of Speech
Core Curriculum IT4 & IT6: Diverse Voices in Literature (3 English major credits)
English major course
Core Curriculum Flex (3)*
POL 2100: American Politics
General Elective


Year 2

Fall Semester( 15-18 credits) - Year 2
Core Curriculum E3: Introduction to Creative Writing or Study of Film (3 English major credits)
English major course
Core Curriculum Flex (4)*
Core Curriculum Flex (5)*
Core Curriculum Flex (6)*

Winter Semester (15-18 credits) - Year 2
Core Curriculum IT1 & IT2: Introduction to Professional Writing (3 English major credits)
English major course
English major course
Core Curriculum Flex (7)*
POL 2020: Criminal Law
General Elective


Year 3

Fall Semester (15-18 credits) - Year 3
English major course
English major course
Core Curriculum Flex (8)*
Core Curriculum Flex (9)*
Core Curriculum Flex (10)*

Winter Semester (15-18 credits) - Year 3
English major course
English major course
Core Curriculum Flex (11)*
ENL Elective
ENL Elective


Year 4

Year 4 is the first year of law school courses.
After the successful completion of first-year courses at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà School of Law, up to 30 credits transfer back to fulfill general electives requirements of the undergraduate degree.

Example first year law school classes:
Introduction to Legal Research and Communication (2 credits)
Applied Legal Theory and Analysis I (3 credits)
Civil Procedure I and II (6 credits)
Contracts I and II (6 credits)
Criminal Law (3 credits)
Property I and II (6 credits)
Torts (4 credits)

Core Curriculum Flex (These classes can be taken in any order. Course recommendations
included in select areas):
  • B1
  • B2: Recommended STA 2250
  • C1
  • C2: Recommended ECN or POL
  • D1 : Recommended PHL 1000
  • D2
  • D3: Recommended PHL 2500 or PHL 4240
  • E1: Recommended HIS 2500 or HIS 2510
  • F1
  • IT3: Recommended ECN 4355 oe ECN 4705
  • IT5

Program Contacts

Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program for College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Majors

Genevieve E. Meyers, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science
Department Chair
Department of Political Science
Director of the Pre-Law Program
Briggs Building, Room 238
McNichols Campus

Email: meyersge@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1089
Fax: 313-993-1166

Undergraduate English Program

Mary-Catherine Harrison, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of English
Briggs Building, Room 218
McNichols Campus

Email: mc.harrison@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1081
Fax: 313-993-1166