Student Learning Outcomes

Detroit Mercy Law seeks to educate the complete lawyer through a dynamic curriculum that integrates theory, doctrine, and experiential learning; provides unique global perspectives through transnational educational opportunities; and emphasizes ethics and service to others. In support of this mission statement, the Law School has adopted the following Learning Outcomes and Competencies.

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural law by applying it to resolve legal issues in context.

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    Competencies

    • Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of terms and rules of law in their courses.
    • Students will demonstrate their ability to identify legal rules and synthesize those rules into a larger analytical framework.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to identify issues presented by new factual scenarios.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to use their understanding of legal rules to engage in analogical and deductive reasoning to solve legal problems presented by new factual scenarios.

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage in legal research and communicate their analysis effectively in a legal context (i.e., oral and written analyses).

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    Competencies

    • Students will communicate their written analyses of legal problems in a clear, well-organized, and professional manner.
    • Students will communicate their oral analyses of legal problems in a clear, well-organized, and professional manner.
    • Students will demonstrate an understanding of hierarchy of law principles and the relationship between primary and secondary sources.
    • Students will demonstrate an ability to conduct thorough and efficient legal research.

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to practice law in an ethical and professional manner.

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    Competencies

    • Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize ethical issues that may be presented in a particular factual scenario.
    • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical duties imposed on counsel.
    • Students will demonstrate an ability to apply that understanding of ethical duties in new factual scenarios.

Graduates will demonstrate competency in legal practice skills (e.g. conduct discovery, interview, counsel clients, address clients’ goals).

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    Competencies

    • Students will demonstrate the ability to use documents and other information in developing an understanding of a client’s case.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively interview and counsel clients.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to draft documents used in legal practice.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to develop effective strategies to address clients’ goals.

Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the transnational nature of the practice of law in the twenty-first century.

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    Competencies

    • Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and principles of a legal system other than the core American legal system.
    • Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of international or comparative law principles.

Graduates will be prepared to exemplify Jesuit and Mercy traditions by pursing justice and serving their communities.

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    Competencies

    • Students will represent clients who otherwise may not have access to legal services.
    • Students will participate in a service project which contributes to the betterment of local communities.
    • Students will complete diversity and cultural awareness training.