University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
For more than a century, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law has educated lawyers who lead with a commitment to the pursuit of justice, service to others and the highest standards of the legal profession. With a mission rooted in Jesuit and Mercy traditions, Detroit Mercy Law provides an intellectually rigorous education that combines theory, doctrine, ethics, transnational educational opportunities, and real-world experience.
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, within Michigan's largest legal community and steps away from the U.S./Canada border, Detroit Mercy Law students readily access opportunities to connect with local leaders, community partners, employers and an engaged alumni network more than 9,000 strong. At the heart of the School’s partnership with Detroit is a Jesuit philosophy that honors our obligation to create a space for students to give back to the community through externships and our nationally recognized clinical program.
The JD Program
Detroit Mercy Law educates the complete lawyer through dynamic curriculum that incorporates hands-on learning opportunities with theory and doctrine. From day one, students at Detroit Mercy Law don't just learn the law, they learn how to practice the law.
Choose between our three year full time program, four year part time program, and five year extended time program. You choose the program that best fits your goals and your commitments.
Detroit Mercy Law is dedicated to increasing access to a JD education to all who desire one.
First Year Mini Clinics
As part of our commitment to providing hands-on lawyering experiences for our students from day one, we launched mini-clinics for first-year students in 2015. In mini-clinics, first-year students are trained and supervised by attorneys in the community and help clients with a variety of matters. Students develop legal, leadership, and community service skills.
Recent mini-clinics include:
- Pope Francis Center Legal Clinic
- Driver’s License Restoration Clinic
- Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Hearing
- Crime Stoppers Clinic
- Greening of Detroit Clinic
Clinical Program
At Detroit Mercy Law, all students are guaranteed a clinical experience. Our clinical program, founded in 1965, it is among the first clinical programs in the nation. We offer a variety of clinics for upper-level students to gain hands-on lawyering skills while advocating for real clients who otherwise may not have access to legal services.
Externships
Students complete externships in judicial chambers, public interest organizations, and government offices to gain hands-on experience, earn academic credit, and network with employers. Many externship opportunities are within walking distance of Detroit Mercy Law, including state and federal courthouses, which makes it convenient to gain practical legal experience any time of year.
Law Firm Program
Our nationally recognized Law Firm Program (LFP) is a series of courses that simulate real-world practice experience. The focus is not on reading a textbook or taking exams. Instead, students gain hands-on experience in a specific area of law of their choice.
LFP courses mimic the work assignments, feedback, and professional skills development that new lawyers experience at law firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporate legal departments. Students work with classmates on assignments that are representative of the type of work new attorneys are expected to perform, such as drafting and negotiating contracts, taking depositions, and writing motions and arbitration agreements.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
Detroit Mercy Law awards more than $2 million in scholarships each year to incoming students.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle for maximum scholarship consideration (prior to Feb. 1). Scholarship offers are generally extended with the offer of admission.
Admitted students are automatically considered for Fellowships, Dean’s Scholarships, and Spirit Awards. Applicants interested in the Henry H. Tarrant Award for Black Student Excellence or the Phillip J. McElroy Scholarship should submit a brief statement (no more than one page per scholarship in length) about their interest in the award and their qualifications for the award.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
We consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application. In addition to academic credentials and LSAT score, we consider writing and analytical skills, leadership, work experience, and service. We recognize that a diverse student body enhances our community, and we value individuals who offer unique backgrounds and experiences.
Admitted Applicant Profile
