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

    Entering first-year students are admitted only once each year in August. Detroit Mercy accepts for the fall and winter 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 applicants to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and to perform at the 50th percentile or better on the LSAT. However, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application including:

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

    Foundation Courses:

    • LAW 1060 Introduction to Legal Research & Communication (2 credits)
    • LAW 1080 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis I (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 1150 Civil Procedure I* (3 credits)
    • LAW 1151 Civil Procedure II* (3 credits)

    Core Courses:

    • LAW 1081 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis II (2 credits)
    • 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^** (2-3 credits)
    • Global Law^ (1-3 credits)
    • Electives*** (credits vary)

    * A minimum grade of 2.0 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.

    ** You must take at least three credits in Law Firm Program courses for graduation requirements.

    *** You 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, a student must complete 15 credit hours with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the following courses:

    • LAW 2960 U.S. Immigration Law or Law 6230 U.S. and Canadian Immigration Law
    • LAW 4330 Immigration Law Seminar
    • LAW 5060 Immigration Law Clinic
    • LAW 5061 Advanced Immigration Law Clinic
    • LAW 5160 Immigration-related Externship
    • LAW 7090 Immigration Law Firm Program

    For a concentration in Family Law, a student must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours with a 3.0 GPA in the following courses.

    A minimum of six credit hours from the following courses:

    • LAW 2240 Family Law
    • LAW 3350 Juvenile Justice Law
    • LAW 3360 Children and the Law
    • LAW 4380 Selected Topics in Family Law Seminar
    • PYC 5000 Social Psychology^
    • PYC 5420 Principles and Issues: Child and Adolescent Development^

    One Law Firm Program from the following:

    • LAW 7240 Children and the Law Child Welfare Proceedings Law Firm Program
    • LAW 7080 Family Law Law Firm Program
    • LAW 7380 Juvenile Justice Law Firm Program
    • LAW 5160 Externship- approved at one of the following locations:
      • Family Court Judicial Clerkships
      • Detroit Center for Family Advocacy
      • William Booth (Salvation Army) Legal Aid Clinic
    • LAW 5100 Juvenile Appellate Clinic

    ^Students are strongly encouraged to cross enroll in one of these Psychology courses offered at the McNichols campus.

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    Contact Information

    Address

    • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
    • 651 East Jefferson Ave.
    • Detroit, MI 48226
    • Telephone: (313) 596-0200
    • Fax: (313) 596-0280
    • Email: lawinfo@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: Monique A. McCarthy
    • Telephone: (313) 596-9407 or toll-free: 1-866-428-1610
    • Fax: (313) 596-0280
    • Email: mccartma1@udmercy.edu
    • Deputy Director, Dual JD Program and Associate Director, Admissions: Stephanie Winbigler
    • Telephone: (313) 596-9841 or toll-free: 1-866-428-1060
    • Fax: (313) 596-0280
    • Email: winbigsn@udmercy.edu