ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY D EGREE R EQUIREMENTS AMERICAN JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAMFor students who matriculated in Fall 2017 and later, a student who receives passing grades in courses totaling 90
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
The American Juris Doctor Program requires students to complete 90 credit hours with passing grades and meet all academic standards to qualify for the Juris Doctor degree For those who enrolled in Fall 2017 or later, a minimum GPA of 2.2 is required, while students who matriculated in Fall 2016 or earlier must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA Both full-time and part-time tracks are available, with identical performance expectations, and all students must graduate within 72 months of starting the program.
To meet graduation requirements at Detroit Mercy Law, students must complete a minimum of 64 credit hours through regularly scheduled classroom instruction or direct faculty engagement Credits from externships, directed research, law review, moot court, co-curricular activities, courses from other departments or institutions, and non-law-related international studies under Standard 307 do not count toward this total.
DAY DIVISION Day Division students take 12 to 16 credits per semester (Fall and Winter)
The Day Division requires six semesters for completion of the degree requirements Classes in this division normally meet from 8:00 a.m to 5:55 p.m Monday through Friday
Students enrolled in the Full-Time Day Division are typically expected to complete their degree within three academic years, unless they were initially admitted into specialized programs such as the four-year Part-time Day Division (requiring 9 to 12 credit hours per semester) or the five-year Extended Day Division (requiring 7 to 10 credit hours per semester).
Students enrolled in the Full-time Day Division are expected to devote substantially all of their time during the academic year to their law studies
After completing the first year, students enrolled in the Day Division must take a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 credit hours per semester However, those seeking to enroll in up to 18 credit hours may submit a request to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who will evaluate each case individually, with particular consideration given to the student’s previous academic performance.
The Evening Division program at the School has been officially suspended and is no longer accepting new student enrollments The final cohort for this program began in Fall 2017 Previously, Evening Division students typically enrolled in 9 to 12 credits per semester during the Fall and Winter terms.
The Evening Division requires eight semesters for completion of the degree requirements Classes in this division meet from 6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m Monday through Thursday
Students enrolled in the Evening Division are generally expected to complete their degree within four years of matriculation, unless they were initially admitted into the Extended Evening Division, a specialized five-year program requiring 7 to 10 credits per semester.
Evening Division students are required to enroll in a minimum of seven and a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester after completing their first year However, students with strong academic performance may request approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to take up to 14 credit hours, with each request evaluated individually.
To graduate within four or five years of matriculation, part-time students may need to register for summer session courses, Saturday courses, or both
The School occasionally offers Saturday classes that may be selected by students in any division
Students are required to complete all mandatory courses within their original division unless exceptional circumstances arise Transferring between divisions is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Foundation Courses: Credit Hours Minimum Passing
Grade LAW 1060 Introduction to Legal Research &
LAW 1080 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis I 3 credits 1.5
LAW 1151 Civil Procedure II* 3 credits 2.2
Core Courses: Credit Hours Minimum Passing
LAW 1081 Applied Legal Theory & Analysis II 3 credits 1.5
Upper Level Writing Requirement^ 2 – 3 credits 1.5
Beginning with the 2017–2018 academic year, students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.2 in their courses to fulfill graduation requirements, whereas courses completed before this period only required a minimum grade of 2.0.
^ 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
Students who receive a grade below the graduation requirement in a mandatory course must re-enroll and achieve a passing grade Typically, the course must be retaken during its next available term, excluding summer sessions However, if a student submits a written request at least one week before the term starts, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs may evaluate for exceptional circumstances and potentially waive the immediate retake requirement.
If the course is next offered during the Summer term, an affected student may retake the course during the Summer, but is not required to do so
Students should note that the original grade and GPA will remain on their academic record, even after repeating a course However, credit hours will be updated once the repeated course is successfully completed This policy is mandatory and cannot be waived by the Petitions Committee or the administration.
CANADIAN AND AMERICAN JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Students enrolled in the Canadian & American Dual JD program can earn a Juris Doctor degree from both the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor Faculty of Law by completing the required credit hours with passing grades, maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.2 for those who began in Fall 2017 or later (or 2.0 for those who matriculated in Fall 2016 or earlier), and fulfilling all additional academic requirements Graduation must occur within 72 months of initial enrollment.
Students enrolled in the Canadian & American Dual JD Program prior to August 2018 must complete a total of 104 credits over three years, split between two prestigious institutions: 60 credit hours at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and 44 credit hours at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law This rigorous academic structure ensures comprehensive legal training across both Canadian and American legal systems.
Students enrolled in the Canadian & American Dual JD Program from August 2019 onward must complete a total of 105 credits within three years across two prestigious institutions The curriculum requires 60 credit hours at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and 45 credit hours at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, offering a comprehensive legal education spanning both Canadian and American jurisdictions.
COURSE OF STUDY AT DETROIT MERCY LAW
During the first year of the Dual JD program at Detroit Mercy Law, students are automatically enrolled in Comparative Legal Writing and Research for Terms I and II, followed by two designated courses in Term III (summer semester) Elective courses are not permitted during Terms I and II, but students may choose electives in Term III, provided they adhere to the specified credit hour limits.
Curriculum and Course Policies
Class Attendance
Students enrolled in courses that meet once a week are generally allowed up to two absences per semester, unless the instructor enforces a stricter attendance policy outlined in paragraph g.
Exceeding the allowed absences in a weekly course directly impacts a student's final grade, with the first extra absence reducing it by 0.2 and the second by an additional 0.4 A total of four absences leads to a 0.6 grade deduction Further absences result in an Administrative Withdraw (AW), which appears on the transcript and means the student receives no grade or credit for the course.
Students enrolled in courses that meet twice weekly are generally allowed up to four absences per semester, unless the instructor enforces a stricter attendance policy outlined in paragraph g.
Students enrolled in courses that meet twice weekly should be aware that exceeding the allowed number of absences will directly impact their final grade A first excess absence results in a 0.1 grade reduction, followed by a 0.2 deduction for the second, 0.3 for the third, and 0.4 for the fourth Any additional absences beyond this threshold will lead to automatic withdrawal from the course, marked as an AW on the student’s transcript.
Students enrolled in courses that convene three times per week are generally allowed up to six absences per semester, unless the instructor enforces a stricter attendance policy as outlined in paragraph g.
Students enrolled in courses that meet three times a week should be aware that exceeding the allowed number of absences will directly impact their final grade The first extra absence results in a 0.1 grade reduction, followed by a 0.2 deduction for the second, 0.3 for the third, and 0.4 for the fourth Any additional absences beyond this threshold will lead to the student being withdrawn from the course, with an AW (Administrative Withdrawal) recorded on their transcript.
Students enrolled in pass/no pass courses must follow the established academic policy, which includes being withdrawn with an AW on their transcript if conditions outlined in the policy are met In evaluating whether a student earns a passing grade, instructors should factor in potential grade reductions due to absences to determine if the final grade meets the minimum threshold of 2.2 required to pass.
Students enrolled in summer courses should be aware that, unless a professor enforces a stricter attendance policy, the standard rule allows one absence in a two-credit class that meets weekly Exceeding this limit results in a 0.4 deduction from the final grade for the first additional absence, while any further absences will lead to removal from the course and an AW notation on the student’s transcript.
Students enrolled in three- or four-credit courses that meet twice weekly are allowed up to two absences, unless a professor enforces a stricter attendance policy A third absence results in a 0.2 deduction from the final grade, while a fourth leads to an additional 0.4 reduction Any further absences will cause the student to be withdrawn from the course, with an AW (Administrative Withdrawal) noted on their transcript.
INTERSESSION OR COURSES THAT DO NOT FIT IN AN ABOVE CATEGORY
Professors teaching during Intersession or in courses outside standard categories must follow the attendance policy requiring a grade reduction if a student misses around 14% of classes This reduction aligns with institutional guidelines to ensure academic accountability and consistent grading standards.
Professors hold the authority to define what qualifies as an absence, both as a general classroom policy and in individual cases This may include considering a student's lack of preparation or repeated tardiness as valid forms of absence, depending on the instructor's discretion.
If a professor makes no changes to this attendance policy, then the professor may in the professor’s syllabus refer students to the Student Handbook for the attendance policy that covers the course
Professors who modify or enforce stricter attendance policies must clearly outline these changes in the course syllabus, ensuring students are informed from the start.
PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITY When a student exceeds the number of allotted absences such that the student must be withdrawn from the course, the professor will notify the Registrar’s office
All professors are required to maintain attendance records
In compliance with Standard 310(a) of the American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, which mandates that law schools establish and follow written policies for awarding credit hours, the Law School has implemented specific procedures to determine credit hours for coursework Recognizing the diversity of academic activities, these approaches ensure consistency, transparency, and adherence to ABA guidelines in evaluating and assigning appropriate credit for each course.
Traditional casebook classes require students to dedicate two hours of out-of-class work for every hour spent in the classroom, totaling 42.5 hours per credit hour This time includes reading assignments, problem sets, and preparation for assessments For example, a two-credit course involves two hours in class and four hours outside, while a three-credit course demands three hours in class and six hours outside Instructors must consider student experience and subject complexity when designing coursework, with first-year students typically assigned lighter reading loads than upper-level students due to their slower reading pace.
COURSES INVOLVING LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING, COURSES THAT SATISFY THE UPPER LEVEL WRITING REQUIREMENT, AND SIMULATION COURSES
Examinations and Assessments
Most university courses conclude with a written examination, which significantly influences the final grade Professors may also choose to administer additional assessments throughout the semester While exam performance is the primary grading criterion, instructors may consider other factors when determining final grades Importantly, students who start an exam are graded on it, regardless of whether they complete it.
All tuition and fee payments due must be paid in full or arrangements made for payment before a student will be permitted to take final examinations
To ensure fairness and objectivity in assessment, the Faculty has implemented an anonymous grading policy for all courses where final exams primarily determine the course grade Each semester, students receive unique three- or four-digit exam numbers, which are used to identify their exams and assignments during the anonymous grading process.
During examinations, professors will clearly outline which academic materials are allowed in the exam room The test officially starts once the questions are handed out Students must remain in the room unless granted permission by the proctor, and if they leave, they are required to place their exam and answers on the proctor’s desk At the end of the exam, when the proctor announces its conclusion, all writing must stop immediately Any student who continues writing beyond this point will have the irregularity recorded by the proctor.
Students enrolled in courses that permit computer-based testing can take their final exams using the School-approved Exam4 software To participate, students must opt in during the designated Exam4 registration period.
Students are responsible for ensuring their complete examination is submitted to the proctor, with blue books properly numbered in sequence To uphold the School’s commitment to grading anonymity, students must cooperate by using only their assigned examination numbers—avoiding any names, marks, or identifying details—on all blue books and Exam4 submissions.
The Assistant Dean for Student and Administrative Services oversees the organization of semester final examinations and establishes clear policies to ensure proper exam conduct It is essential for students to review and comply with these guidelines to maintain academic integrity and a fair testing environment.
Students at the School of Law are required to take final examinations on their assigned dates; however, those needing to reschedule must submit a formal written request to the Director of Student Affairs, clearly stating an approved reason for the change.
Students facing scheduling conflicts—such as two exams at the same time or three exams within two consecutive days—must seek assistance by contacting the Director of Student Affairs before the examination period begins to arrange appropriate accommodations.
Students facing personal or family emergencies—such as illness requiring a doctor's certificate, the death of an immediate family member, or other urgent situations—must promptly notify the Director of Student Affairs prior to the scheduled examination to request academic relief.
PAPERS, PROJECTS, AND OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Professors often assign papers, projects, or exams as part of a student’s final grade, and may choose to implement anonymous grading to ensure fairness In accordance with the School’s official policy, anonymous grading procedures also apply to these academic assessments.
REQUIRED COMPLETION DATE FOR ALL COURSE WORK
Professors who assign take-home final examinations must establish a submission deadline, which cannot extend beyond the final scheduled exam day of the semester This ensures academic consistency and aligns with university examination policies.
Professors are responsible for setting due dates for required papers and projects; however, these deadlines must not extend beyond one week after the final scheduled exams of the semester, ensuring timely submission and academic consistency.
CHEATING Cheating is an offense under the Honor Code
Plagiarism, defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the act of presenting another's literary work, ideas, or language as one's own, is a serious academic violation To maintain integrity, all borrowed content—including written passages, arguments, and paraphrases—must be properly cited Academic institutions enforce strict penalties for plagiarism, including receiving a grade of 0.0 on assignments Furthermore, plagiarism breaches the Honor Code, potentially leading to formal reports and Honor Council proceedings.
Students must ensure that all submitted work for each course or seminar is original and not reused across multiple classes Submitting the same paper for more than one course requires prior approval from all instructors involved; failure to obtain this may result in grade penalties Unauthorized double submissions are considered a violation of the Honor Code and may lead to disciplinary action.
GRADES
A student's academic performance is indicated by numerical grades with approximate letter grade equivalents as shown below:
Failing grades are categorized to distinguish between academic work that, while not meeting the standards for passing, still demonstrates some level of effort or achievement, and work that shows no progress or cannot be assessed due to an unexcused failure to fulfill course requirements.
An Incomplete (I) grade is issued when a student has not fulfilled specific course requirements—excluding the final examination—or when an administrative issue remains unresolved To maintain academic progress, students are granted up to four weeks from the original due date to complete the outstanding work and meet course obligations.
If the outstanding course work is not properly completed, the I grade will be changed to a grade of 0.0
Students who miss a scheduled examination without officially withdrawing from the course will receive a grade of 0.0 or an X The X grade signifies that the student promptly requested and received approval from both the professor and administration to defer the exam This deferred exam must be taken at the next scheduled session for the course If the student fails to take the rescheduled exam, the X will be removed and replaced with a 0.0 Any student who does not attend an exam and has not been granted a postponement will automatically receive a 0.0 grade.
To successfully earn academic credit, students must achieve a minimum passing grade of 1.5 in all courses unless stated otherwise If a student fails to meet this requirement, they will not receive credit for the course Additionally, any course required for graduation that is not passed with at least a 1.5 must be repeated until the minimum grade is attained.
At the end of each semester, students receive a semester grade point average (GPA) and a cumulative GPA reflecting all academic performance during matriculation These GPAs are calculated by multiplying each course grade by its credit value, then dividing the total by the number of credit hours attempted Importantly, grades earned at other law schools or through joint academic programs are excluded from GPA calculations.
Students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher by the end of their first academic year qualify for the prestigious Dean’s List In subsequent semesters, eligibility for the Dean’s List is awarded to the top 20% of students in each class, determined by their semester GPA performance.
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Students who have completed at least 30 credit hours may opt to take one elective course per term on a pass/no pass basis With approval from the Associate Dean for Academics and under exceptional circumstances, more than one elective may be taken this way in a single term A maximum of six elective credit hours under the pass/no pass option can count toward graduation requirements Required courses for graduation, which vary by program and student performance, are not eligible for pass/no pass grading Overall, students may not exceed 11 total pass/no pass credits, including those from Law Review, Moot Court, Externships, and other designated activities.
Students must notify the Law School Registrar in writing of their decision to take an elective course on a pass/no pass basis—or to revoke that decision—by the last day of classes or the day before the exam, whichever comes first Professors may prohibit the pass/no pass option by submitting written notice to the Registrar before the term begins Importantly, students are not permitted to inform professors directly of their intent to choose the pass/no pass grading option.
Students receiving a grade of 2.2 or higher will have it automatically converted to a P (passing) by the Registrar, while grades of 2.1 or lower will be changed to NP (not passing) The NP grade does not affect the student's GPA and does not count toward graduation requirements, ensuring academic standards are maintained.
Courses completed during the first year of law school (1L), such as the mandatory Introduction to Legal Research and Communication and the optional Critical Legal Skills course, are excluded from the 6 elective pass/fail credit hours requirement.
GRADE CHANGES The professor shall not change a student's grade except for one of the following reasons:
A An error in the mathematical computation or transcription of the grade; or
Students may face academic injustice when their exam or final grade is calculated in a substantially unequal manner compared to peers in the same course Such discrepancies in grading practices can undermine fairness and transparency in educational evaluation, raising concerns about bias and inconsistent academic standards.
Professors seeking to change a student’s grade must submit a formal written justification to the School of Law Administration, detailing the reason for the change, the original and amended grades, the number of points adjusted, the grade distribution, and the cutoff points for each grade All grade change requests must be made within 180 days of the original grade release to be considered valid.
APPEALS FROM GRADES Students may appeal a final grade in two circumstances, described below
Students who believe a mathematical error has occurred in the calculation or transcription of their final grade have the right to appeal Before initiating a formal grievance, they must first consult with the professor to understand the grading criteria used This discussion can be conducted remotely if an in-person meeting is impractical.
Students who remain dissatisfied after consulting with their professor may submit a written grade appeal to the Committee designated by the faculty for such reviews The appeal must be addressed to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and include a clear, concise, and comprehensive explanation of the grounds and supporting facts Petitions must be filed within six weeks of the final grade posting by the School of Law Administration, although the Committee may waive this deadline for good cause.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Some of the content of this section of the Student Handbook was taken from the University of Detroit Mercy Student
The Detroit Mercy Law Student Handbook is designed to align with and enhance the broader University of Detroit Mercy Student Handbook and Student Policies, ensuring consistency across institutional guidelines In cases where student rights and responsibilities are not explicitly covered in the Law Student Handbook, the applicable University rules or policies will govern For complete details, students are encouraged to review the full Student Policies available on the [University of Detroit Mercy Student Life page](https://www.udmercy.edu/slo/office/handbook/index.htm).
At Detroit Mercy Law, every member of the academic community—whether engaged in learning, teaching, research, or administration—is empowered to cultivate critical thinking and pursue independent inquiry in the search for truth Upholding academic integrity and personal growth, the institution ensures that students receive fair treatment through due process protections outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Every student deserves fair and respectful treatment, free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital or familial status, disability, religion, creed, military service, or political beliefs This commitment to equality in education ensures a safe and inclusive environment where all learners can thrive.
Detroit Mercy Law upholds the ethical and moral principles rooted in Jesuit and Mercy traditions, emphasizing the inherent dignity of every individual and the right to freely express personal viewpoints The institution fosters a culture of mutual respect, especially when perspectives differ, and actively promotes inclusivity within its diverse community In alignment with these core values, Detroit Mercy Law maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of discrimination, harassment, or hate-motivated behavior based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical attributes, marital or familial status, disability, religion, military service, or political beliefs, particularly when intended to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm.
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Honor Code sets forth the institution’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of personal and professional integrity among its students It emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct aligned with the legal profession’s expectations and serves as a guiding principle for honorable behavior All members of the Law School community are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the Honor Code, ensuring their actions reflect the core values of legal ethics and academic responsibility.
The Law School Honor Code outlines essential standards of student integrity and academic honesty, establishing a framework for ethical conduct It mandates the creation of an Honor Code Council responsible for overseeing all related procedures and enforcement Any violations or academic misconduct are subject to formal reporting and resolution processes as defined by the Code Designed to ensure fairness and efficiency, the Honor Code promotes a transparent approach to handling alleged breaches of conduct.
The Honor Code strictly prohibits academic misconduct, including fraud, deceit, dishonesty, and any attempt to gain unfair advantage over fellow students Violations encompass unauthorized assistance on assignments, use of third-party papers, and various forms of exam misconduct such as accessing unauthorized materials, sharing exam content, or failing to follow exam instructions Plagiarism, defined as presenting another's work or ideas as one's own, is a serious offense Submitting duplicate work for academic credit—whether previously used in academic or employment settings—is also forbidden Additional violations include restricting access to academic resources, falsifying academic records or attendance, interfering with Honor Code investigations, aiding in breaches of the Code, and retaliating against individuals involved in the Honor Code process.
The Honor Council plays a vital role in upholding institutional integrity by promoting honesty and transparency among its members To ensure balanced representation and ethical oversight, the council includes both student and faculty members This diverse composition reinforces the commitment to shared responsibility and accountability within the academic community.
7 Full-Time Faculty Members, appointed for 3 year staggered terms
5 to 8 Student Members, to be elected from the following divisions:
2L Day; 2L Dual; 3L Day; 3L Dual; Evening
Student elections, held during the Fall term, are managed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in collaboration with the Student Bar Association Elected students begin their term on the second Friday of the Fall semester, ensuring a structured and transparent leadership transition within the academic community.
Term to the second Friday of the subsequent Fall Term, with the exception of graduating students, whose them shall end upon their graduation
To qualify for Honor Council membership, students must maintain good academic standing, have no prior Honor Code violations, and complete mandatory training upon election The Dean appoints one faculty member to serve as Faculty Chair of the council Additionally, all Honor Council members are required to participate in annual training sessions to stay updated on the Honor Code and procedural guidelines.
Detroit Mercy Law encourages all community members to report suspected Honor Code violations directly to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA), either in person or in writing The ADAA evaluates whether the reported conduct constitutes a breach of the Honor Code and, if so, forwards the case to the Honor Council’s Faculty Chair Upon receiving the report, the Faculty Chair appoints an Investigator from the Honor Council and notifies the accused student of the specific allegations and the initiation of an investigation.
The Investigator is responsible for conducting a thorough inquiry to uncover facts and evidence related to the allegations Upon completion, a detailed report will be issued, outlining the specific allegations and relevant Honor Code provisions, the investigative steps taken, and the evidence gathered The report will also include a recommendation on whether a hearing panel should be convened and, if so, propose an appropriate sanction, subject to any mitigating or aggravating factors that may arise during the hearing.
When determining whether to recommend convening a hearing panel, the Investigator evaluates the strength of the evidence, the seriousness of the allegations, and the anticipated workload of continued proceedings Crucially, a hearing can only be recommended if the Investigator concludes that the allegations are substantiated by a preponderance of evidence.
The investigator must complete and submit their report to the Faculty Chair of the Honor Council within ten school days of receiving the ADAA report, unless a valid reason is approved by the Chair If the investigator concludes that a hearing is unnecessary, no further action will be taken; however, a redacted version of the report will be retained in the Honor Council’s records for the remainder of the academic year.
When a hearing is recommended, the Faculty Chair initiates a meeting with the student facing allegations to present the Investigator’s report and outline the student’s responsibility to respond This meeting may also include the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA) or a designated representative Access to the Investigator’s report is restricted to the Honor Council Faculty Chair, the ADSA, the accused student, and the Hearing Panel members if a hearing is scheduled.