Registrar Services
The primary responsibility of Detroit Mercy Law's Registrar's Office is to provide excellent service and official information to students, faculty, administration, staff, and outside constituencies. The Registrar’s Office maintains all academic and international records for current students, students who attended but did not graduate, and alumni. The Registrar’s Office also collects and disseminates student, alumni, and academic information through methods that ensure the integrity and security of all data in compliance with the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA), which is a Federal Law that protects the privacy of student records.
On This Page: Information I Course Schedules I Registration Resources I Pass/No Pass Elective Courses
INFORMATION
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Contact Information + Hours
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday - Friday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Evening Hours: By Appointment
lawregistrar@udmercy.eduSTAFF
Shamaila S. Khan, Assistant Dean and Registrar
313-596-9828 | khanss@udmercy.eduBrittney DuBose, Assistant Registrar313-596-0212 | banksbr1@udmercy.edu
Please include your T# on emails for faster service and CRN when discussing a specific course.
Office of the Registrar requires two to three business days to complete requests.
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Academic Calendar and Course Catalog
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
2024-2025 Academic Calendar (11/21/24) -
Forms
REQUESTS TO THE REGISTRAR
CONCENTRATIONS
AUDITING A COURSE
PASS/NO PASS
DIRECTED RESEARCH
Directed Research: Transnational Form
FERPA
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Web Registration and My Portal
You can access the online system from on or off campus.
Login to the My Portal (my.udmercy.edu) using your Detroit Mercy username and password. If this is your first time logging in, go to my.udmercy.edu, click on “Activate Account,” enter your My Portal username: [Provided by Admissions], log in to your Detroit Mercy email account and open the message entitled “Detroit Mercy Password Reset.” Click on the link in the message to create a password. For further assistance, please contact the University IT Help Desk at (313) 993-1500.
For instructions on other services available through My Portal (my.udmercy.edu), please refer to What Would You Like To Do.
To Register:
- Login to the My Portal (my.udmercy.edu)
- Click “Registration” under “Self-Service – Student”
- Click “Register for Classes”
- Select the term
- If you or your advisor created a plan using the “Plan Ahead” tool, click on the “Plans” tab and select 2 “Add All.”
- If you have CRNs, click on the “Enter CRNs” tab. Enter your CRNs and select “Add to Summary.”
- If you have not created a plan and do not have CRNs, click on the “Find Classes” to search and add your classes.
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Tuition, Fees, and Methods of Payment
TUITION
Cost of Attendance
LATE REGISTRATION FEE
$200 any student who registers beginning on the first day that classes begin are assessed this fee.
STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION (SBA) DUES
$69 all enrolled students are assessed this amount for each Fall/Winter Terms.
PARKING FEE
$515 any student who registers for parking will be assessed this amount for each Fall/Winter Terms.
SERVICE CHARGE ON PAST-DUE BALANCES
A fee of 1.5% per month will be charged on the unpaid balance of any delinquent account.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
Checks are accepted at the Law School Student Service Center. For any other forms of payment and all Student Accounting questions, please contact the Student Accounting Office. -
Grades and Transcripts
Grades can be found through 'Self-Service – Student' in My Portal as soon as they are available.
Official transcript is handled at the McNichols Campus Office of the Registrar.
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Holds
If you have a hold on your record, you will NOT be allowed to register or make adjustments to your schedule until the hold is removed. If you have a hold, you must contact the office that placed the hold on your account, and meet the conditions of the hold. Please allow sufficient time for your hold to be removed before your registration period begins.
To View Holds on Your Account:
- Login to the My Portal (my.udmercy.edu)
- Click Student Profile
- Click “Student Account”
- Click “View Holds”
- Contact the appropriate office to resolve the issue
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Directed Research
The Directed Research form or the Directed Research: Transnational form must be signed by a resident faculty member responsible for overseeing the project. If the supervising faculty member is an adjunct faculty member, the form must be signed by him or her and co-signed by a resident faculty member. Completed and signed Directed Research forms are due in the Law School Registrar's Office by the end of the add/drop period each Term.
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Degree Evaluation and Application for Graduation
Students have access to their Degree Evaluation at any time through 'Self-Service – Student' in My Portal (my.udmercy.edu). It is recommended that students check their Degree Evaluation on a regular basis. The application for graduation is now done through Self Service.
Students should apply to graduate during their last year. The $135 graduation fee is assessed to the student's account once they apply.
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Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and Directory Information
In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the following pieces of information are considered "Directory Information" by the School of Law: a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, previous schools attended and degrees earned, email address, photograph, school division (i.e., full-time, extended program, JD/MBA, Dual JD Program, etc.), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and degree and awards received from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Students, who do not wish their directory information be disclosed to non-official University personnel in accordance with FERPA, need to complete, sign, and turn in a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form to the Office of the Registrar.
Students should always check their accounts to make sure they are cleared to register before the upcoming registration period begins.
Winter 2025
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Important Information for Registration
1. ONLINE LIMITATIONS
- Students in the JD program are limited to earning 50% of their credits from online courses effective Fall 2023 Term by the ABA Standards.
- Students in the Dual JD program are limited to one online course per semester. This limitation applies to courses offered by both schools regardless of citizenship.
- Students attending Detroit Mercy Law on an F1 visa may not take more than 3 credits of online education per semester.
- All clinics have required hours in addition to the class times. Some clinics have specified days and hours that students must work. These requirements are provided to students along with the draft schedule.
- Students should pay attention to prerequisites when applying for clinics.
- Clinic registration will open October 7. Students will be emailed instructions by Dean Nowak.
- Students should pay attention to prerequisites when applying for LFPs.
- All 3L students will be provided with the opportunity to preregister for LFPs by indicating their top three choices on a form provided by the Law Registrar’s Office. This form will be available the week of October 21. Please follow the instructions provided in the email by the Law Registrar’s Office.
- All 3L and 2L students will be able to register for available LFP courses during priority registration.
- This course is limited to those students taking the bar exam in July 2025.
- Students will receive an email allowing them to select a section of the course the week of October 28.
- Priority Registration will occur the week of November 11.
- Please look for further information from the Law Registrar’s Office.
- 1L students will not engage in Priority Registration as they will be placed in their required courses by the Law Registrar’s Office. Torts registration for JD students will be completed in January before the Term begins.
- There will be academic advising sessions for JD and Dual JD students the week of September 30.
- Students should review the general guidelines for course selections for both programs posted with the draft schedule.
- Students may also reach out to Dean Henning, Dean Humphrey, or Dean Khan with specific questions.
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Registration and Information Manual
Winter 2025 Registration Manual
Web Registration
Students can access the online registration system at my.udmercy.edu (My Portal).
Priority Registration begins online on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. and ends on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. via My Portal Self-Service. Registration opens for students based on their number of earned credit hours as follows:
November 12, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m.
JD with 48 earned* credits or more
Dual JD with 71 earned* credits or more
November 14, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m.
JD with 5 to 47 earned* credits
Dual JD with 35 to 70 earned* credits or more
*Earned credit hours do not include Fall 2024 course credit hours as they are not earned to date.- 1L JD and Dual JD students will be registered into their required courses by Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar. Torts registration will take place in the first week of January 2025.
- 2L Part-time JD students should contact the Registrar (Dean Khan) to register for any other remaining 1L foundation courses.
- All JD students completing their first 60 credit hours at the end of Winter 2025 Term, MUST register for Evidence (4 credits) and/or Professional Responsibility (3 credits) if they have not already completed the courses.
- 2L Dual JD students will be registered into Canadian and U.S. Business Organizations (5 credits) and Canadian and U.S. Evidence (5 credits) by Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar.
- The Bar Exam Strategies (4 credits) course is limited to those taking the bar in July 2025. Students will be enrolled in one section of the Bar Exam Strategies course in priority order after they complete the required survey form indicating their section in order of preference. The form will be emailed to students before priority registration.
- The Winter LFP (3 credits) courses are primarily for 3Ls. 3L students will be enrolled in one LFP course in priority order after they complete the required survey form indicating their interest in order of preference. The form will be emailed to 3L students before priority registration. If spaces remain after all 3Ls are enrolled, they will be made available to 2Ls.
- F-1 status and Dual JD students may enroll in one online course for up to 3 credits per Term.
- Beginning in the Fall 2022 Term, JD students may earn no more than 45 credits in online courses. Dual JD students may earn no more than 30 credits in online courses.
- Students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours to be eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid.
- Consult course descriptions in My Portal for course pre-requisites. To avoid exam conflicts, consult the examination schedule when making course selections.
Academic Advising
Clinics: Tuesday, October 1 – 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (online)
https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/j/96596704128?pwd=eiMfyoAH2Ud8OSgka6mCFJiDbLJMHZ.1JD: Wednesday, October 2 – 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (online)
https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/j/98881017977
Dual JD: Thursday, October 3 – 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (online)
https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/j/93730336004
Log in to My Portal Self-Service
Students log in to the My Portal using their Detroit Mercy username and password. For assistance, please contact the University IT Help Desk at (313) 993-1500, M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Holds
Students who possess a HOLD on their record will NOT be allowed to register or adjust their schedule until the hold is removed. Students who have a hold must contact the office that placed the hold on their account and meet the conditions of the hold. Please allow sufficient time for the hold to be removed before the registration period begins. Students can view holds by clicking on Student Profile. The Student Profile link is under ‘Self-Service – Student’ in My Portal (my.udmercy.edu). Then click on Student Account, then View Holds.
To Register
- Log in to the My Portal (my.udmercy.edu)
- Click “Registration” under “Self-Service – Student”
- Click “Register for Classes”
- Select the term
- If you or your advisor created a plan using the “Plan Ahead” tool, click on the “Plans” tab and select “Add All.”
- If you have CRNs, click on the “Enter CRNs” tab. Enter your CRNs and select “Add to Summary.”
- If you have not created a plan and/or do not have CRNs, click on the “Find Classes” to search and add your classes.
Pass/No Pass Option for Elective Courses
The Pass/No Pass Option form is available on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar web page. Students must turn in the Pass/No Pass Option form to the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar by the last day of classes or the day before the scheduled exam, whichever comes first. See the Student Handbook or the Pass/No Pass Option form for more information about enrolling in an elective course on a Pass/No Pass basis. Information about which elective courses will not be offered Pass/No Pass will be posted on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar webpage at https://law.udmercy.edu/ before registration for the Term.
Directed Research
Students who enroll in Directed Research must also complete a Directed Research form, which is available on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar webpage at https://law.udmercy.edu/.
The Directed Research form must be signed by the resident faculty member supervising the Directed Research.
If the supervising faculty member is an adjunct faculty member, and the project is more than one credit hour, the form must be signed by him or her and co-signed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. See the Student Handbook for details. Students must turn in the Directed Research form into the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar to be registered by the last day to add a course for the Term.
Academic Eligibility
Students who intend to enroll in a consecutive term and are found to be in academic jeopardy at the conclusion of the current term, will be automatically dismissed from the Law School and given a 100% refund of the consecutive term's tuition.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition
See Cost of Attendance on the Financial Aid webpage at:
https://law.udmercy.edu/students/financial-aid1/tuition-cost-of-attendance.phpLate Registration Fee
A $200.00 late registration fee will be imposed upon students who register on the first day that classes begin.Student Bar Association (SBA) Dues
$69.00 for Fall Term will be applied to all enrolled students’ accounts.Graduation Fee
A $135 graduation fee is assessed to each student’s account once they apply to graduate.Further Assistance
Students needing assistance with registration and related matters should contact the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar at 313-596-0212, lawregistrar@udmercy.edu. Students who are seeking a waiver of a Student Handbook regulation, or wish to make a division change, should contact Associate Dean Ieisha Humphrey at humphrie@udmercy.edu. Students who wish to request a credit override to enroll in more credit hours than is allowed by their division should contact Associate Dean Henning at henninkm@udmercy.edu.
University Tuition Policy
A student who is in debt to the University at the end of any term is NOT entitled to register; to receive an official transcript of their credits from the Registrar, or to receive their diploma until their indebtedness has been discharged. A fee of 1.5% per month will be charged on the unpaid balance of any delinquent account.
Students who have an outstanding balance of $3500 or greater at the end of the eighth week of the Winter semester, may be administratively withdrawn from their current Detroit Mercy Law coursework. Students will not earn credit for these courses, will not be permitted to sit for the final exam, and will receive a grade of “AW” on their transcript for all withdrawn classes.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid includes scholarships, loans, and student employment. Most of this section includes information for students using U.S. Federal Financial Aid. Canadian students should contact their province’s Student Aid Program for information and applications for aid to study in the U.S.
US Federal Financial Aid Application Information
Students wanting Federal Aid (loans + work-study) must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25. This form is available online at studentaid.gov. Any student who needs financial aid to pay direct expenses (tuition & fees) and/or indirect expenses is encouraged to apply for federal financial aid as early as possible. April 1 is the priority application date for applying for aid for 2024-25. October 1, 2023, was the opening date of the 2024-25 application. The 2024-25 FAFSA will be used for the following terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, & Summer 2025.
Students are reminded that they must complete all the questions on the FAFSA form. Students need not report parental income but should report any income or other monetary support (including gifts) they received from parents, friends, or others in 2022 as untaxed income. Students whose marital status has changed from 2022 to the present are reminded that their 2022 income (both taxable and untaxed) should reflect income from the student and spouse if one is present. Assets are to be reported as of the date the student submits the FAFSA and is to include spouse’s assets if there is a spouse. All other information (number in household, number in college, living arrangements, year in program, etc.) should be for the 2024-25 academic year.
US Student Loans
Students receiving a federal student loan for the first time at Detroit Mercy must complete Entrance Counseling and a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each type of loan requested before any federal student loan funds may be credited to their account. These are completed online by logging into studentaid.gov.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS student loans are disbursed via electronic fund transfer (EFT) from the government to the University. This is the same for all alternative loans from sources in the U.S. Students who have a loan through a different country or loans that are disbursed via paper check must appear in person to endorse their check. It is the responsibility of the student to complete MPNs and entrance counseling(s) required by the federal government and/or a private lender and to endorse paper checks in a timely fashion. Past due payment fees incurred due to delayed completion of the MPN(s), online entrance counseling or endorsement of checks will not be removed.
Refunds of excess tuition and fee payments
Funds paid by a financial aid program in excess of the tuition and fee charges will be refunded to the student if the student is registered for the number of credit hours for which they were enrolled in at the time of packaging and all other information in the financial aid file is correct.
Refunds may be distributed by direct deposit for students who have a checking or savings account in a banking institution in the U.S. or mailed from the McNichols Campus to the student's mailing address as listed on the My Portal records. Students should check My Portal to ensure that their bank account and address information are correct to receive their refund in a timely manner. Students with foreign addresses may wish to obtain a U.S. bank account or P.O. Box in the U.S. to avoid delays in the receipt of refunds.
Refunds of excess financial aid monies may be made as early as the week prior to the beginning of classes if the student is registered for the number of credit hours for which the award was made; does not have any prior past due balance; that all required documents have been submitted to the financial aid office and any conflicting information is resolved; that all promissory notes, entrance interview and credit requirements are met; and that the student is not receiving any outside assistance not reported to the Financial Aid Office. Students who have accepted financial aid for indirect funds should be financially prepared to meet, at minimum, their cost of books, supplies, and living expenses (including rent) incurred during the weeks prior to the start of the term and the first week of the semester. Students who apply for financial aid after the first day of classes must allow two weeks thereafter for a refund.
Refunds may be delayed, reduced, or eliminated if the student is not enrolled for the number of credits for which they were initially packaged; if the student fails to complete student loan entrance counseling; if the student has not completed any required promissory note(s); if the student completed the financial aid application or submitted materials late; if the student’s loan application is rejected or denied by the lender; if the student is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress per the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy or if the student receives outside aid not reported to the Financial Aid Office.Work-Study and Other On-Campus Student Employment
Students may apply for a work study award by submitting a FAFSA on or before July 31st, 2024. Work study is awarded until funds are exhausted, so students who wish to receive a work study award should file their FAFSA as early as possible.
Students who receive a work study award or who wish to work on the non-work study program may obtain a Student Employment Authorization once they have completed the proper materials provided by the Financial Aid Office.
Students may not begin working until they have obtained a Student Employment Authorization and have had that authorization signed by the person in their department who is authorized to make hiring decisions. For off-campus work study, the form must be signed by a person at the agency authorized to enter contracts with the University and authorize payment, if required.
Note—off campus work study opportunities are currently not available. If/when opportunities arise once again, the procedure in the previous paragraph will take effect, along with any other required revisions & updates at that time.
Withdrawals
Students who receive US federal student aid and who completely withdraw from classes prior to completing 60% of the semester will have their federal aid prorated accordingly. Students must complete at least 60% of the semester to earn a full semester's worth of federal aid. Withdrawal at or prior to the 60% point of the term will result in proration of financial aid, potentially leaving the student with a debt to the school.
For Winter 2024 the 60% date is March 15th, 2025. Students withdrawing on or before these dates (dependent on their enrollment) will have their aid pro-rated. This is a federal regulation and is not at the discretion of the School of Law.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students receiving federal financial aid must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress has 3 components:
- Grade point,
- Completion of classes/progressing adequately toward degree completion,
- Staying in good standing with the School of Law.
A copy of the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy appears on the financial aid website and is provided to students in their orientation materials. Students who do not meet SAP requirements after one term are put on SAP warning; after two terms, the aid is terminated with the ability to appeal for a probationary term. Students failing to meet requirements during the probationary term may have their financial aid terminated until the point at which they meet the requirements of the SAP policy without the assistance of federal student aid (including loans).
Please note that good standing for the law school requires a 2.00 grade point average. When the SAP requirements of the law school are stricter than those of the federal SAP policy, the stricter requirements prevail.
VA Benefits
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law participates in Veteran’s Education Benefit programs, including Yellow Ribbon. Students who are eligible for Veteran’s Educational benefits should contact their VA representative to obtain their paperwork and forward these to:
Ms. Amy Wisniewski
Associate Registrar
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols
Detroit, MI 48221
Phone: 313-993-3313/Fax: 313-993-3317Questions
Questions about financial aid awards and policies should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at the Law School:
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Scholarship and Financial Aid Office
651 E. Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone: 313-596-0213
Fax: 313-596-0280
Email: lawfinaid@udmercy.eduMethods of Payment
- Pay online: Credit and debit card payments can only be made online through My Portal and a processing fee of 2.75% will be added to all credit/debit payments. There is no fee for e-checks.
- University Payment Plan: interest-free, monthly payment option. For information regarding this program, see the Student Accounting page at: https://udmercy.edu/current-students/accounting/
- Mail your payment to the School of Law Student Services Center or the Cashier’s Office at the McNichols Campus.
IMPORTANT - When mailing, remember to write your Detroit Mercy Student Number (T-Number) on your check, and to allow at least 8 business days for the payment to be processed to your account.
- Pay in person: at the Law School Student Service Center (checks and cash only).
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Employer Reimbursement Forms should be submitted to the University Student Accounting Office before the first day of classes each semester.
- International payment through Flywire: go to flywire.com/pay/udmercy. . Then select the country of origin for your payment and the amount in USD that Detroit Mercy should receive. On the next page you will select your payment method from the options listed; amounts will show the cost in your currency.
Student Parking
Student Parking Term Amount Fall or Winter Term $257.50 Summer Term $50 Parking registration for Winter 2025 will open on December 1, 2024. Parking is assigned on a first-come first-served basis determined by the time and date of when you register for parking. Students must register their vehicle for parking each semester. Once the Larned Street parking lot has reached registration capacity, remaining students will be assigned parking in the LAZ/Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot/structure located at 589 East Congress Street, Detroit, MI 48226.
All Detroit Mercy Law Students can register for a parking permit by clicking here.
After you have filled out and submitted the online request form, please note the following:
- You must come into the Student Service Center to pick up your parking tag hanger and/or new sticker for your parking tag during the advertised days and times. Distribution dates for Winter 2025 parking will be advertised right before registration opens.
- CARPOOLERS: If you are carpooling, you must enter your vehicle information into the parking site if your vehicle will be used as part of the carpool. The carpool leader will add all vehicles to the carpool group. There will be only one parking hanger issued per carpool group and only the carpool group leader will incur the parking costs. The carpool group leader is responsible for collecting parking fees from others in the carpool.
- When picking up your parking permit you must bring the following:
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Your Student ID
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Your current parking tag hanger (if one was already assigned from a previous term).
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If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Student Service Center.
There is a $10.00 replacement fee for a reissued parking hanger or replacement access cards.
Student ID Cards
New ID Cards or revalidations for Student ID cards will be handled during regular Student Service Center hours. The Student Service Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. NOTE: If a student's ID card is lost or stolen, there is a $25.00 fee imposed upon the student by the University Parking & ID Officials for a replacement card.
Application for Graduation
Students planning to graduate must submit an application in My Portal during their last year in school. The graduation fee is assessed to each student’s account once he/she applies to graduate. The application deadline for the Class of 2025 was September 27, 2024.
Immigration Information for International Students
Current F-l students who will take courses in person in the Fall term must pay close attention to the DSO’s signature and date on page 2 of their Form I-20. If the signature and date are close to expiring, please stop by the Student Service Center for another signature.
Current F-1 students who wish to enroll in an externship (which is Curricular Practical Training - CPT) must have held their student visa for one full academic year. The same rule applies if a student wishes to work in the US (which is Optional Practical Training - OPT).Winter 2025 Academic Calendar Term II Date Last Day to Waitlist for a course January 5 Term II Classes Begin January 6 Last Day to Add a course January 10 Directed Research Form Deadline January 10 Last Day to Drop a course - 100 Percent Refund + no W grade January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (class makeup scheduled for April 22) January 20 Winter Break February 16 – February 23 Term III Priority Registration Week of March 10 Easter Holiday (Friday class makeup scheduled for April 23) April 18 –20 Makeup Day for MLK Holiday (Monday Classes) April 22 Makeup Day for Good Friday Holiday (Friday Classes) April 23 Term I Classes End
Pass/No Pass Option Deadline*April 22 Term II Review Period April 23 – 25 Term II Final Examination Period April 28 – May 8 (Exams conclude by noon on 5/8)6 Graduation May 9 Baccalaureate May 10 All Term II grades posted July 1 *The decision to take an elective on a pass/no pass basis, or to revoke the decision, must be communicated to the Law School Registrar, in writing, by the last day of classes or the day before the exam is administered, whichever comes first.
The Law School reserves the right to change any of the above dates. Please refer to the online schedule of classes each Term for all the official dates.
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Course & Exam Schedule, Course Listing with CRNs
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Courses That Satisfy Distribution Requirements
1L Foundational Courses (JD)
- Applied Legal Theory and Analysis II [3 cr]
- Criminal Law [3 cr]
- Introduction to Legal Research and Communication II [1 cr]
- Property [4 cr]
- Torts [4 cr]
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Comparative Legal Writing and Research II [4 cr]
- Evidence [4 cr] (must be taken in first 60 credit hours)
- Professional Responsibility [3 cr] (must be taken in first 60 credit hours)
- Canadian & US Business Organizations [5 cr]
- Canadian & US Evidence [5 cr]
- Arts and Entertainment Clinic [3 cr]
- Conviction Integrity Clinic [3 cr]
- Criminal Trial Clinic [3 cr]
- Environmental Law Clinic [4 cr]
- Family Law Clinic [3 cr]
- Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic [3 cr]
- Housing Law Clinic [3 cr]
- Immigration Law Clinic [4 cr]
- Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- Juvenile Appellate Law Clinic [3 cr]
- State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO) Clinic [3 cr]
- Trademark & Entrepreneur Clinic [3 cr]
- Veterans’ Law Clinic [3 cr]
- Australian Law and the Constitution [1 cr] – ONLINE
- Cross Border Sales and Financing Transactions II [4 cr]
- Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- International Institutions and the Use of Force [2 cr]
- Private International Law in the Digital Era [2 cr]
- Pursuing Dialogue in International Conflict [2 cr]
- Selected Problems in Environmental Law [2 cr]
- Small Firm Practice in Canada LFP [3 cr] – ONLINE
- US & Canadian Immigration Law [4 cr]
- Cross Border Sales and Financing Transactions II [4 cr]
- Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- Selected Problems in Environmental Law [2 cr]
- Small Firm Practice in Canada LFP [3 cr] – ONLINE
- US & Canadian Immigration Law [4 cr]
- Advising Entrepreneurs LFP
- Affordable Housing LFP
- Alternative Dispute Resolution LFP
- Family Law LFP
- Health Law LFP - ONLINE
- Immigration Law LFP
- Juvenile Justice LFP
- Small Firm Practice in Canada LFP – ONLINE
- Advanced Advocacy [2 cr] (3 sections)
- International Institutions and the Use of Force [2 cr]
- Judicial Clerkship Course [2 cr]
- Selected Topics in Constitutional Law: The Congress, the President, and the Separation of Powers [2 cr]
- Selected Problems in Environmental Law [2 cr]
- Transactional Drafting [3 cr]
- Advanced Legal Research [2 cr] – ONLINE
- Bankruptcy Reorganizations [3 cr]
- Bar Exam Strategies [4 cr] (3 sections) (must be taking July 2025 Bar Exam)
- Business Organizations [4 cr] (bar tested)
- Criminal Procedure: Adjudications [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Criminal Procedure: Investigations [4 cr] (bar tested)
- Employee Rights Law [3 cr]
- Environmental Law [3 cr]
- Estates & Trusts [4 cr] (bar tested)
- Externship Course [3 cr]
- Family Law [2 cr] (bar tested)
- Federal Firearms Law and the Second Amendment [3 cr]
- Federal Criminal Law [3 cr]
- Federal Jurisdiction [3 cr] (bar tested)
- First Amendment [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Insurance Law [3 cr]
- Introduction to Corporate and Partnership Tax [3 cr]
- Litigation Technology [2 cr]
- National Security Law [3 cr]
- Race and American Law [2 cr]
- Sales [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law [3 cr] – ONLINE
- Trial Practice [3 cr]
- US Basic Federal Income Tax [4 cr]
- US Securities Regulation [3 cr]
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Clinics with Specific Date/Time Requirements
CRIMINAL TRIAL CLINIC - THURSDAY, 1:30 - 3:20 PM
Prerequisite: LAW 2220 Evidence or LAW 2230 Canadian and United States Evidence. These courses may not be taken concurrently with the Clinic.Specific requirements: Students must have at least 105 clinical hours for the semester outside of class. Students must be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays per week from 8:30am to 12:30pm to be in court in person at 36th District Court on Tuesday in Detroit and in person in Troy District Court on Thursdays. Students will attend class after court on Thursdays. Other days may be available in 36th District Court. Tuesday may be flexible with prior consent of Professor Reasonover. Students will also be required to do some clinical hours outside of class and court appearances including class and court preparation.
FAMILY LAW CLINIC – TUESDAY, 12:00 - 1:50 PM
Prerequisite: No specific prerequisites, but completion of LAW 2240 Family Law is preferred.Specific Requirements: Students must complete at least 105 clinical hours outside of class. To achieve this, students must be available on Tuesday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm (includes class time) and Thursdays from 12:00 to 4:00pm, to perform clinical hours at the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, located at 3737 Lawton St, Detroit, MI 48208. The clinic is about a 5-10-minute drive from the law school and has parking available. Class meets during this time on Tuesday. Currently court hearings are remote, and students are unable to attend. Should the court re-open to the public, students will be expected to attend court hearings at Wayne County Circuit Court.
FEDERAL PRO SE LEGAL ASSISTANCE CLINIC – WEDNESDAY, 10:00 - 11:50 AM
Prerequisites: LAW 1152 Civil Procedure (JD) or LAW 2080 US Civil Procedure (Dual JD), and either LAW 3170 Federal Jurisdiction, LAW 3150 Employee Rights, LAW 3090 Civil Rights Litigation, LAW 6290 Judicial Clerkship Course, or a federal court internship or externship.Specific requirements: Students must complete at least 105 clinical hours outside of class. The Federal Pro Se Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 5:00pm, and is located at the United States District Court located at 231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226, about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the law school. The Clinic holds triage meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to prepare for each Clinic Day from 12:30 to 1:00pm. Students can work with Clinic clients or complete Clinic tasks outside of normal Clinic hours, but to meet their Clinic commitment, students must be available for at least six of the scheduled Clinic hours. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to attend as many triage meetings as possible. For students not in the Clinic when triage is held, triage may be attended by Zoom. Students are responsible for coordinating coverage for each day of the clinic.
VETERANS’ CLINIC – MONDAY 1:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Prerequisites: No pre-requisites, but LAW 2220 Evidence or LAW 2230 Canadian and United States Evidence is highly recommended.
Special Requirements: Students must complete at least 105 clinical hours outside of class, most of which must be done in the clinic building. Students in this clinic must work with Professor Christian to create a set weekly schedule of in-person hours between 8:30am-5pm, Monday through Thursday.
Fall 2024
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Important Information for Registration
1. ONLINE LIMITATIONS
- Students in the JD program are limited to earning 50% of their credits from online courses effective Fall 2023 Term by the ABA Standards.
- Students in the Dual JD program are limited to one online course per semester. This limitation applies to courses offered by both schools regardless of citizenship.
- Students attending Detroit Mercy Law on an F1 visa may not take more than 3 credits of online education per semester.
2. CLINICS
- All clinics have required hours in addition to the class times. Some clinics have specified days and hours that students must work. These requirements are provided to students along with the draft schedule.
- Students should pay attention to prerequisites when applying for clinics.
- Clinic registration will open May 23. Students will be emailed instructions by Dean Schroeck.
3. LAW FIRM PROGRAM COURSES
- Students should pay attention to prerequisites when applying for LFPs.
- All 3L students will be provided with the opportunity to preregister for LFPs by indicating their top three choices on a form provided by the Law Registrar’s Office. This form will be available on June 11. Please follow the instructions provided in the email by the Law Registrar’s Office.
- All 3L and 2L students will be able to register for available LFP courses during priority registration.
4. BAR EXAM STRATEGIES COURSE
- This course is limited to those students taking the bar exam in February 2025.
- Students will receive an email allowing them to select a section of the course the week of June 17.
5. PRIORITY REGISTRATION
- Priority Registration will occur between July 2 and July 10.
- Please look for further information from the Law Registrar’s Office.
- 1L students will not engage in Priority Registration as they will be placed in their required courses by the Law Registrar’s Office.
6. ACADEMIC ADVISING
- There will be academic advising sessions for both JD and Dual JD students on June 13.
- Students should review the general guidelines for course selections for both programs posted with the draft schedule.
- Students may also reach out to Dean Henning, Dean Humphrey, Dean Khan, and/or Director Fisher with specific questions.
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Registration and Information Manual
Fall 2024 Registration Manual
Web Registration
Students can access the online registration system at my.udmercy.edu (My Portal).
Priority Registration begins online on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. and ends on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. via My Portal Self-Service. Registration opens for students based on their number of earned credit hours as follows:
July 2, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m.
JD with 66 earned* credits or more
JD/MBA with 60 earned* credits or more
July 8, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m.
JD with 37 to 65 earned* credits
Dual JD with 38 earned* credits or more
July 10, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m.
JD with 5 to 36 earned* credits
Dual JD with 5 to 37 earned* credits
*Earned credit hours do not include Summer 2024 course credit hours as they are not earned to date.- Rising 2L JD students will be registered into U.S. Constitutional Law (4 credits) by Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar.
- Rising 2L Dual JD students will be registered into Canadian and U.S. Professional Responsibility (4 credits) and Canadian and U.S. Torts (5 credits) by Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar.
- The Bar Exam Strategies (4 credits) course is limited to those taking the bar in February 2025. Students will be enrolled in the Bar Exam Strategies course after they complete the required survey form indicating their interest. The form will be emailed to students before priority registration.
- The Fall LFP (3 credits) courses are primarily for 3Ls. 3L students will be enrolled in one LFP course in priority order after they complete the required survey form indicating their interest in order of preference. The form will be emailed to 3L students before priority registration. If spaces remain after 3Ls are enrolled, they will be made available to 2Ls.
- F-1 status and Dual JD students may enroll in one online course for up to 3 credits per Term.
- Beginning in the Fall 2022 Term, JD students may earn no more than 45 credits in online courses. Dual JD students may earn no more than 30 credits in online courses.
- Students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours to be eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid.
- Consult course descriptions in My Portal for course pre-requisites. To avoid exam conflicts, consult the examination schedule when making course selections.
Academic Advising
JD: Thursday, June 13 – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (online)
https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/j/91373880667
Dual JD: Thursday, June 13 – 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (online)
https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/j/93323542629
Log in to My Portal Self-Service
Students log in to the My Portal using their Detroit Mercy username and password. For assistance, please contact the University IT Help Desk at (313) 993-1500, M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Holds
Students who possess a HOLD on their record will NOT be allowed to register or adjust their schedule until the hold is removed. Students who have a hold must contact the office that placed the hold on their account and meet the conditions of the hold. Please allow sufficient time for the hold to be removed before the registration period begins. Students can view holds by clicking on Student Profile. The Student Profile link is under ‘Self-Service – Student’ in My Portal (my.udmercy.edu). Then click on Student Account, then View Holds.
To Register
- Log in to the My Portal (my.udmercy.edu)
- Click “Registration” under “Self-Service – Student”
- Click “Register for Classes”
- Select the term
- If you or your advisor created a plan using the “Plan Ahead” tool, click on the “Plans” tab and select “Add All.”
- If you have CRNs, click on the “Enter CRNs” tab. Enter your CRNs and select “Add to Summary.”
- If you have not created a plan and/or do not have CRNs, click on the “Find Classes” to search and add your classes.
Pass/No Pass Option for Elective Courses
The Pass/No Pass Option form is available on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar web page. Students must turn in the Pass/No Pass Option form to the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar by the last day of classes or the day before the scheduled exam, whichever comes first. See the Student Handbook or the Pass/No Pass Option form for more information about enrolling in an elective course on a Pass/No Pass basis. Information about which elective courses will not be offered Pass/No Pass will be posted on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar webpage at https://law.udmercy.edu/ before registration for the Term.
Directed Research
Students who enroll in Directed Research must also complete a Directed Research form, which is available on the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar webpage at https://law.udmercy.edu/.
The Directed Research form must be signed by the resident faculty member supervising the Directed Research.
If the supervising faculty member is an adjunct faculty member, and the project is more than one credit hour, the form must be signed by him or her and co-signed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. See the Student Handbook for details. Students must turn in the Directed Research form into the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar to be registered by the last day to add a course for the Term.
Academic Eligibility
Students who intend to enroll in a consecutive term and are found to be in academic jeopardy at the conclusion of the current term, will be automatically dismissed from the Law School and given a 100% refund of the consecutive term's tuition.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition
See Cost of Attendance on the Financial Aid webpage at:
https://law.udmercy.edu/students/financial-aid1/tuition-cost-of-attendance.phpLate Registration Fee
A $200.00 late registration fee will be imposed upon students who register on the first day that classes begin.Student Bar Association (SBA) Dues
$69.00 for Fall Term will be applied to all enrolled students’ accounts.Graduation Fee
A $135 graduation fee is assessed to each student’s account once they apply to graduate.Further Assistance
Students needing assistance with registration and related matters should contact the Detroit Mercy Law’s Office of the Registrar at 313-596-0212, lawregistrar@udmercy.edu. Students who are seeking a waiver of a Student Handbook regulation, or wish to make a division change, should contact Associate Dean Ieisha Humphrey at humphrie@udmercy.edu. Students who wish to request a credit override to enroll in more credit hours than is allowed by their division should contact Associate Dean Henning at henninkm@udmercy.edu.
University Tuition Policy
A student who is in debt to the University at the end of any term is NOT entitled to register; to receive an official transcript of their credits from the Registrar, or to receive their diploma until their indebtedness has been discharged. A fee of 1.5% per month will be charged on the unpaid balance of any delinquent account.
Students who have an outstanding balance of $3500 or greater at the end of the eighth week of the Fall semester, may be administratively withdrawn from their current Detroit Mercy Law coursework. Students will not earn credit for these courses, will not be permitted to sit for the final exam, and will receive a grade of “AW” on their transcript for all withdrawn classes.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid includes scholarships, loans, and student employment. Most of this section includes information for students using U.S. Federal Financial Aid. Canadian students should contact their province’s Student Aid Program for information and applications for aid to study in the U.S.
US Federal Financial Aid Application Information
Students wanting Federal Aid (loans + work-study) must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25. This form is available online at studentaid.gov. Any student who needs financial aid to pay direct expenses (tuition & fees) and/or indirect expenses is encouraged to apply for federal financial aid as early as possible. April 1 is the priority application date for applying for aid for 2024-25. October 1, 2023, was the opening date of the 2024-25 application. The 2024-25 FAFSA will be used for the following terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, & Summer 2025.
Students are reminded that they must complete all the questions on the FAFSA form. Students need not report parental income but should report any income or other monetary support (including gifts) they received from parents, friends, or others in 2022 as untaxed income. Students whose marital status has changed from 2022 to the present are reminded that their 2021 income (both taxable and untaxed) should reflect income from the student and spouse if one is present. Assets are to be reported as of the date the student submits the FAFSA and is to include spouse’s assets if there is a spouse. All other information (number in household, number in college, living arrangements, year in program, etc.) should be for the 2024-25 academic year.
US Student Loans
Students receiving a federal student loan for the first time at Detroit Mercy must complete Entrance Counseling and a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each type of loan requested before any federal student loan funds may be credited to their account. These are completed online by logging into studentaid.gov.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS student loans are disbursed via electronic fund transfer (EFT) from the government to the University. This is the same for all alternative loans from sources in the U.S. Students who have a loan through a different country or loans that are disbursed via paper check must appear in person to endorse their check. It is the responsibility of the student to complete MPNs and entrance counseling(s) required by the federal government and/or a private lender and to endorse paper checks in a timely fashion. Past due payment fees incurred due to delayed completion of the MPN(s), online entrance counseling or endorsement of checks will not be removed.
Refunds of excess tuition and fee payments
Funds paid by a financial aid program in excess of the tuition and fee charges will be refunded to the student if the student is registered for the number of credit hours for which they were enrolled in at the time of packaging and all other information in the financial aid file is correct.
Refunds may be distributed by direct deposit for students who have a checking or savings account in a banking institution in the U.S. or mailed from the McNichols Campus to the student's mailing address as listed on the My Portal records. Students should check My Portal to ensure that their bank account and address information are correct to receive their refund in a timely manner. Students with foreign addresses may wish to obtain a U.S. bank account or P.O. Box in the U.S. to avoid delays in the receipt of refunds.
Refunds of excess financial aid monies may be made as early as the week prior to the beginning of classes if the student is registered for the number of credit hours for which the award was made; does not have any prior past due balance; that all required documents have been submitted to the financial aid office and any conflicting information is resolved; that all promissory notes, entrance interview and credit requirements are met; and that the student is not receiving any outside assistance not reported to the Financial Aid Office. Students who have accepted financial aid for indirect funds should be financially prepared to meet, at minimum, their cost of books, supplies, and living expenses (including rent) incurred during the weeks prior to the start of the term and the first week of the semester. Students who apply for financial aid after the first day of classes must allow two weeks thereafter for a refund.
Refunds may be delayed, reduced, or eliminated if the student is not enrolled for the number of credits for which they were initially packaged; if the student fails to complete student loan entrance counseling; if the student has not completed any required promissory note(s); if the student completed the financial aid application or submitted materials late; if the student’s loan application is rejected or denied by the lender; if the student is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress per the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy or if the student receives outside aid not reported to the Financial Aid Office.
Work-Study and Other On-Campus Student Employment
Students may apply for a work study award by answering the FAFSA question about the student’s willingness to accept work study in the affirmative. Students who answer “no” or “don’t know” will not be offered work study funds. Work study awards are made based on the date of the FAFSA application and will be awarded until funds are committed, so students who wish to receive a work study award should file their FAFSA as early as possible.
Students who receive a work study award or who wish to work on the non-work study program may obtain a Student Employment Authorization once they have completed the proper materials provided by the Financial Aid Office.
Students may not begin working until they have obtained a Student Employment Authorization and have had that authorization signed by the person in their department who is authorized to make hiring decisions. For off-campus work study, the form must be signed by a person at the agency authorized to enter contracts with the University and authorize payment, if required.
Withdrawals
Students who receive US federal student aid and who completely withdraw from classes prior to completing 60% of the semester will have their federal aid prorated accordingly. Students must complete at least 60% of the semester to earn a full semester's worth of federal aid. Withdrawal at or prior to the 60% point of the term will result in proration of financial aid, potentially leaving the student with a debt to the school.
For Fall 2024 the 60% date is TBD. Students withdrawing on or before these dates (dependent on their enrollment) will have their aid pro-rated. This is a federal regulation and is not at the discretion of the School of Law.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students receiving federal financial aid must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress has 3 components:
- Grade point,
- Completion of classes/progressing adequately toward degree completion,
- Staying in good standing with the School of Law.
A copy of the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy appears on the financial aid website and is provided to students in their orientation materials. Students who do not meet SAP requirements after one term are put on SAP warning; after two terms, the aid is terminated with the ability to appeal for a probationary term. Students failing to meet requirements during the probationary term may have their financial aid terminated until the point at which they meet the requirements of the SAP policy without the assistance of federal student aid (including loans).
Please note that good standing for the law school requires a 2.00 grade point average. When the SAP requirements of the law school are stricter than those of the federal SAP policy, the stricter requirements prevail.
VA Benefits
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law participates in Veteran’s Education Benefit programs, including Yellow Ribbon. Students who are eligible for Veteran’s Educational benefits should contact their VA representative to obtain their paperwork and forward these to:
Ms. Amy Wisniewski
Associate Registrar
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols
Detroit, MI 48221
Phone: 313-993-3313/Fax: 313-993-3317Questions
Questions about financial aid awards and policies should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at the Law School:
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Scholarship and Financial Aid Office
651 E. Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone: 313-596-0213
Fax: 313-596-0280
Email: lawfinaid@udmercy.eduMethods of Payment
- Pay online: Credit and debit card payments can only be made online through My Portal and a processing fee of 2.75% will be added to all credit/debit payments. There is no fee for e-checks.
- University Payment Plan: interest-free, monthly payment option. For information regarding this program, see the Student Accounting page at: https://udmercy.edu/current-students/accounting/
- Mail your payment to the School of Law Student Services Center or the Cashier’s Office at the McNichols Campus.
IMPORTANT - When mailing, remember to write your Detroit Mercy Student Number (T-Number) on your check, and to allow at least 8 business days for the payment to be processed to your account.
- Pay in person: at the Law School Student Service Center (checks and cash only).
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Employer Reimbursement Forms should be submitted to the University Student Accounting Office before the first day of classes each semester.
- International payment through Flywire: go to flywire.com/pay/udmercy. Then select the country of origin for your payment and the amount in USD that Detroit Mercy should receive. On the next page you will select your payment method from the options listed; amounts will show the cost in your currency.
Student Parking Term Amount Fall or Winter Term $257.50 Summer Term $50 Parking is available on a first-come first-served basis. Students must register their vehicle for parking each semester. Once the Larned parking lot, located directly across from the Law School, has reached full capacity, students must park in the Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot/structure located at 589 East Congress Street, Detroit, MI 48226.
All Detroit Mercy Law Students can register for a parking permit by clicking here.
After you have filled out and submitted the online request form, please note the following:
- You must come into the Student Service Center to pick up your parking tag hanger and/or new sticker for your parking tag.
- CARPOOLERS: If you are carpooling, you must enter your vehicle information into the parking site if your vehicle will be used as part of the carpool. The carpool leader will add all vehicles to the carpool group. There will be only one parking hanger issued per carpool group and only the carpool group leader will incur the parking costs. The carpool group leader is responsible for collecting parking fees from others in the carpool.
- When picking up your parking permit you must bring the following:
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Your Student ID
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Your current parking tag hanger (if one was already assigned from a previous term).
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If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Student Service Center.
There is a $10.00 replacement fee for a reissued parking hanger or replacement access cards.
Student ID Cards
New ID Cards or revalidations for Student ID cards will be handled during regular Student Service Center hours. The Student Service Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. NOTE: If a student's ID card is lost or stolen, there is a $25.00 fee imposed upon the student by the University Parking & ID Officials for a replacement card.
Application for Graduation
Students planning to graduate must submit an application in My Portal during their last year in school. The graduation fee is assessed to each student’s account once he/she applies to graduate. The application deadline for the Class of 2025 is September 27, 2024.
Immigration Information for International Students
Current F-l students who will take courses in person in the Fall term must pay close attention to the DSO’s signature and date on page 2 of their Form I-20. If the signature and date are close to expiring, please stop by the Student Service Center for another signature.
Current F-1 students who wish to enroll in an externship (which is Curricular Practical Training - CPT) must have held their student visa for one full academic year. The same rule applies if a student wishes to work in the US (which is Optional Practical Training - OPT).
Fall 2024 Academic Calendar Term III Date First-year Orientation August 19 - 23 Last Day to Waitlist for a course August 23 Saturday Classes Begin August 24 Term I Weekday Classes Begin August 26 Last Day to Add a course August 30 Directed Research Form Deadline August 30 Labor Day Holiday (class makeup scheduled for TBD) September 2 Last Day to Drop a course - 100 Percent Refund + no W grade September 9 Red Mass TBD Application for Graduation Deadline September 27 Student Advising Sessions TBD Term II Priority Registration Begins Week of November 11 Thanksgiving Holiday (Class makeups TBD) November 28 - December 1 Term I Classes End
Pass/No Pass Option Deadline*November 27 Term I Review Period December 2 - December 3 Term I Final Examination Period December 4 - December 16 University Closed December 24 - January 1, 2025 All Term I grades posted February 1, 2025 *The decision to take an elective on a pass/no pass basis, or to revoke the decision, must be communicated to the Law School Registrar, in writing, by the last day of classes or the day before the exam is administered, whichever comes first.
The Law School reserves the right to change any of the above dates. Please refer to the online schedule of classes each Term for all the official dates.
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Course & Exam Schedule, Course Listing with CRNs
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Courses That Satisfy Distribution Requirements
1L Foundational Courses (JD)
- Applied Legal Theory and Analysis I [2 cr]
- Civil Procedure [4 cr]
- Contracts [4 cr]
- Critical Lawyering Skills in Social Context [4 cr]
- Introduction to Legal Research and Communication I [1 cr]
- Comparative Legal Writing & Research I [5 cr]
- Evidence [4 cr] (must be taken in first 60 credit hours)
- Professional Responsibility [3 cr] (must be taken in first 60 credit hours)
- US Constitutional Law [4 cr]
- Canadian & U.S. Professional Responsibility [4 cr]
- Canadian & U.S. Torts [5 cr]
- Arts and Entertainment Clinic [3 cr]
- Conviction Integrity Clinic [3 cr]
- Criminal Trial Clinic [3 cr]
- Environmental Law Clinic [4 cr]
- Family Law Clinic [3 cr]
- Federal Pro Se Clinic [3 cr]
- Immigration Law Clinic [4 cr]
- Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- Juvenile Appellate Law Clinic [3 cr]
- State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO) [3 cr]
- Trademark & Entrepreneur Clinic [3 cr]
- Veterans’ Law Clinic [3 cr]
- American Indian Law [2 cr]
- Cross Border Sales and Financing Transactions I [4 cr]
- International Commercial Arbitration LFP [3 cr] - ONLINE
- International Environmental Law [3 cr] - ONLINE
- International Law [3 cr]
- International Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- Cross Border Sales and Financing Transactions I [4 cr]
- International Intellectual Property Clinic Patent Law [3 cr]
- International Commercial Arbitration LFP [3 cr] - ONLINE
- International Environmental Law [3 cr] – ONLINE
- International Law [3 cr]
- Alternative Dispute Resolution LFP [3 cr]
- Advising Entrepreneurs in New Business Startups LFP [3 cr]
- Environmental Law LFP [3 cr]
- International Commercial Arbitration LFP [3 cr] - ONLINE
- Pre-Trial Criminal Advocacy LFP [3 cr]
- Small Firm Practice LFP – Health Law [3 cr]
- Advanced Advocacy (2 sections) [2 cr]
- Bioethics and Law Seminar [2 cr]
- Patent Drafting [2 cr]
- Selected Topics in Criminal Procedure Seminar – Modern Policing [2 cr]
- Selected Topics in Criminal Law Seminar – The Narcos [2 cr]
- Transactional Drafting (2 sections) [3 cr]
- Access to Justice [3 cr] - ONLINE
- Arab Americans and the Law [2 cr] (runs from August 27 – October 10)
- Bar Exam Strategies [4 cr] (must be taking February 2024 bar)
- Business Organizations [4 cr] (bar tested)
- Copyright Law [3 cr] (prerequisite for Arts & Entertainment Clinic)
- Counseling and Negotiations [3 cr]
- Criminal Procedure Adjudications [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Criminal Procedure Investigations [4 cr] (bar tested)
- eDiscovery [3 cr]
- Estates & Trusts [4 cr] (bar tested)
- Externship Course [3 cr]
- First Amendment [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Health Law [3 cr] - ONLINE
- Immigration Law [3 cr]
- Introduction to Islamic Law [3 cr]
- Judicial Behavior and Selection [3 cr]
- Law of Emerging Mobility Technologies [2 cr]
- Patent Law [2 cr]
- Prosecution Skills in the 21st Century [2 cr]
- Remedies [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Sales [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Secured Transactions [3 cr] (bar tested)
- Trial Practice [3 cr] (2 sections)
- US Basic Federal Income Tax [4 cr]
- White Collar Crime [3 cr]
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Clinics with Specific Day/Time Requirements
CRIMINAL TRIAL CLINIC - THURSDAY, 1:30 - 3:20 PM
Prerequisite: LAW 2220 Evidence or LAW 2230 Canadian and United States Evidence. These courses may not be taken concurrently with the Clinic.
Specific requirements: Students must have at least 105 clinical hours for the semester outside of class. Students must be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for at least 6 hours per week from 8:30am to 12:30pm to be in court in person at 36th District Court on Tuesday in Detroit and in person in Troy District Court on Thursdays. Students will attend class after court on Thursdays. Other days may be available in 36th District Court. Tuesday may be flexible with prior consent of Professor Reasonover. Students will also be required to do some clinical hours outside of class and court appearances including class and court preparation.
FAMILY LAW CLINIC – TUESDAY, 12:00 - 1:50 PM
Prerequisite: No specific prerequisites, but completion of LAW 2240 Family Law is preferred.
Specific Requirements: Students must complete at least 105 clinical hours outside of class. To achieve this, students must be available on Tuesday from 10:00am to 4:00pm (includes class time) and Thursdays from 12:00 to 4:00pm, to perform clinical hours at the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, located at 3737 Lawton St, Detroit, MI 48208. The clinic is about a 5-minute drive from the law school and has parking available. Class meets during this time on Tuesday. Currently court hearings are remote, and students are unable to attend. Should the court re-open to the public, students will be expected to attend court hearings at Wayne County Circuit Court.
FEDERAL PRO SE LEGAL ASSISTANCE CLINIC – WEDNESDAY, 10:00 - 11:50 AM
Prerequisites: LAW 1152 Civil Procedure (JD) or LAW 2080 US Civil Procedure (Dual JD), and either LAW 3170 Federal Jurisdiction, LAW 3150 Employee Rights, LAW 3090 Civil Rights Litigation, LAW 6290 Judicial Clerkship Course, or a federal court internship or externship.
Specific requirements: Students must complete at least 105 clinical hours outside of class. The Federal Pro Se Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 5:00pm, and is located at the United States District Court located at 231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226, about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the law school. The Clinic holds triage meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to prepare for each Clinic Day from 12:30 to 1:00pm. Students can work with Clinic clients or complete Clinic tasks outside of normal Clinic hours, but to meet their Clinic commitment, students must be available for at least six of the scheduled Clinic hours. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to attend as many triage meetings as possible. For students not in the Clinic when triage is held, triage may be attended by Zoom. Students are responsible for coordinating coverage for each day of the clinic.
SADO CLINIC – TUESDAY 2:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Prerequisites: LAW 1140 Criminal Law must be completed. LAW 2100 Criminal Procedure: Investigations or LAW 2101 Criminal Procedure: Adjudications may be taken concurrently.
Special Requirements: In the SADO Clinic students will work on sentencing advocacy with lawyers from, and represent clients of, the State Appellate Defender Office toward positive post conviction and sentencing outcomes. SADO represents clients through their Direct Appeals Unit, Juvenile Lifer Unit and Project Reentry. The Juvenile Lifer Unit focuses on sentencing outcomes, particularly for those who were under the age of 19 at the time of a homicide offense. These individuals were sentenced to life without parole and have received the opportunity for resentencing through a retroactive change in the law. Students working in the clinic, in conjunction with JLU attorneys and mitigation specialists, will help develop the sentencing mitigation presented by: interviewing clients and family members; reviewing records of incarceration, education, medical concerns, and the criminal convictions; and conducting legal research. Students will produce a substantive example of legal writing (legal memo, negotiation memo, motion and brief in support, or sentencing brief).
VETERANS’ CLINIC – MONDAY 1:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Prerequisites: No pre-requisites, but LAW 2220 Evidence or LAW 2230 Canadian and United States Evidence is highly recommended.
Special Requirements: Students will schedule their clinical hours with Professor Christian and do the bulk of clinical hours in the clinic building.
REGISTRATION RESOURCES
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Guidelines for JD Course Selection
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR JD COURSE SELECTION FOR WINTER 2025
Please note: For details regarding all requirements, please consult the student handbook. This summary is to provide simple guidance for students.
- JD students need 90 credits to graduate.
- The following courses are required of all JD students:
Courses Required of All Students Course Credits LAW 1060 Introduction to Legal Research & Communication I 1 LAW 1061 Introduction to Legal Research & Communication II 1 LAW 1080 Applied Legal Theory and Analysis I 2 LAW 1081 Applied Legal Theory and Analysis II 3 LAW 1112 Contracts 4 LAW 1122 Property 4 LAW 1130 Torts 4 LAW 1140 Criminal Law 3 LAW 1152 Civil Procedure 4 LAW 1202 Critical Lawyering Skills in Social Context 4 LAW 2060 Constitutional Law 4 LAW 2220 Evidence 4 LAW 2470 Professional Responsibility 3 3. All students are required to take the following: a course that satisfies the Upper Level Writing Requirement, a Clinic course, a Law Firm Program course, and a course that satisfies the global requirement.
4. Students who finish their first two semesters of study with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.80 are required to take the 4 of the following 6 courses: Business Organizations, Criminal Procedure: Investigations, First Amendment, Estates & Trusts, Sales, and Secured Transactions. Students who take Cross Border Sales II in the Winter 2025 Term can count the course as a Secured Transaction course.
5. Students must take Evidence and Professional Responsibility in the first 60 credit hours of their studies.
6. Students should not take more than two 4-credit courses in one semester.
7. Students should take notice of the final exam schedule when selecting courses. Final exams may only be changed if two exams are given at the same day and time or if a student has three exams scheduled on two consecutive days.
8. The Bar Exam Strategies course is limited to those students taking the bar in July 2025.
9. The clinics and law firm courses are designed to be capstone courses. Students will get the most benefit from these courses if they wait until the second half of their course of study to take them.
10. Students who wish to enroll in a clinic or an LFP will preregister for those courses before the registration period in November. Students are responsible for adhering to the deadlines for the preregistration for clinics and then LFPs.
11. Students should attend the advising session or watch the recording before registering. Students may also ask for individual appointments with Dean Henning, Dean Humphry, or Dean Khan to talk about their scheduling options.
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Guidelines for Dual JD Course Selection
GUIDELINES FOR DUAL JD COURSE SELECTION
Prepared for Winter 2025 Course Registration
Remember that you can perform a degree evaluation at any time to monitor your progress using My Portal (Detroit Mercy Law). You can also view your Windsor Law transcript on uWinsite. If you have any questions or you would like assistance with course planning, please contact Dean Henning, Dean Humphry, or Dean Khan for Detroit Mercy Law requirements and the Windsor Law Academic Coordinator for the Windsor Law requirements.
PART I: DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
- Dual JD students need 105 credits to graduate. 60 credits must be from Detroit Mercy Law and 45 credits must be from Windsor Law.
- The following courses are required of all Dual JD students:
Courses Required of All Dual JD Students Course Credits Year and Semester
F = Fall; W = Winter; S = SummerComparative Legal Writing and Research I 5 1L F Comparative Legal Writing and Research II 4 1L W CDN & US Property Law 6 1L F + W CDN & US Contract Law 6 1L F + W CDN & US Criminal Law 6 1L F + W CDN Constitutional Law 5 1L F + W Indigenous Legal Orders 3 1L W US Constitutional Law 4 1L S US Civil Procedure 3 1L S CDN & US Torts 5 2L F CDN & US Professional Responsibility 4 2L F CDN Civil Procedure 4 2L F CDN & US Business Organizations 5 2L W CDN & US Evidence 5 2L W Students must earn the minimum passing grade in all required courses as well as satisfy the minimum GPAs at both schools to graduate.
- All Dual JD students are also required to take the following:
- (1) A course that satisfies the Upper Level Writing Requirement (Detroit Mercy Law);
- (2) A Clinic course (Detroit Mercy Law);
- (3) A Law Firm Program course (Detroit Mercy Law);
- (4) Six credits that satisfy the Transnational Law Requirement (Detroit Mercy Law); and
- (5) Administrative Law (Windsor Law).
- The Detroit Mercy Law clinics and LFP courses are designed to be capstone courses. Students will get the most benefit from these courses if they wait until the second half of their course of study to take them (i.e. the Winter Term of 2L or in 3L).
PART II: CREDIT RULES
- All students must abide by Windsor Law’s “13/29” rule. This means you must take between 13-18 credits per term and 29-32 credits per academic year (which is defined as the Fall and Winter Terms – the Summer Term at Detroit Mercy Law is not included). This rule applies to your combined courses between Windsor Law and Detroit Mercy Law. The rule is strictly applied and there are no exceptions.
Note: you cannot take 13 credits in the fall and winter terms. This only totals 26 credits for the year.
- The American Bar Association (ABA) prohibits students from taking more than 20 credits in a term. This rule applies to your combined courses between Windsor Law and Detroit Mercy Law. This rule is strictly applied and there are no exceptions.
- If you intend to take more than 18 credits in a term or more than 32 total credits for the academic year (between Windsor Law and Detroit Mercy Law), you must apply for a credit variance at Windsor Law by filling out the credit variance form (located here) and emailing it to the Windsor Law Academic Coordinator requesting approval (lawac@uwindsor.ca).
- . If you intend to take more than 16 credits in a term (between Windsor Law and Detroit Mercy Law), you must request permission to do so from Dean Henning at Detroit Mercy Law via email (henninkm@udmercy.edu). Please also copy Dean Khan on that email (khanss@udmercy.edu). List all courses you are taking (at Windsor Law and Detroit Mercy Law), their credit values, and the reason why you are seeking the variance.
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You cannot take Business Associations (LAWG 5877) or The Legal Profession (LAWG 5939) at Windsor Law due to overlap with your required Detroit Mercy Law courses.
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If you intend to take a course that might overlap with a course you have previously taken (i.e. International Law at Windsor and International Law at Detroit Mercy Law), you will be required to seek instructor approval to take the course.
PART III: RULES RELATING TO ONLINE COURSES
- The ABA has imposed a rule that no more than 30 credits can come from online courses taken at Detroit Mercy Law.
- To adhere to regulatory requirements, Dual JD students will only be permitted to take 1 online course per term (up to a maximum of 3 credits) at either institution. A Dual JD student can therefore take an online course (up to 3 credits) at Windsor Law or an online course (up to 3 credits) at Detroit Mercy Law (but not both) in the Winter 2025 Term.
- Dual JD students holding F-1 visas cannot take more than 3 online credits per term at Detroit Mercy Law.
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Student Registration System
The Pass/No Pass form is available here. In order to take an elective course on a pass/no pass basis, you must have at least 30 credit hours completed. You can take a maximum of one elective course on a pass/no pass basis each semester. During your law school career, you may take a maximum of four elective courses graded numerically on a pass/no pass basis, which exclude Externship, Law Review, Moot Court, or any other courses already graded on a pass/no pass basis. You must turn in the Pass/No Pass form by the last day of classes or the day before the exam is administered, whichever comes first. Pass/No Pass form can be emailed to lawregistrar@udmercy.edu.
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Winter 2025 - Courses that do not have the Pass/No Pass Option
THE FOLLOWING COURSES DO NOT HAVE THE PASS/NO PASS OPTION FOR TERM II, 2024-25:
- Advanced Legal Research, Prof. Meyer
- Race and American Law, Prof. Costello
All Advanced Advocacy sections*
All Clinics*
All Global/International/Transnational Courses*
All Law Firm Program Courses*
All Upper-Level Writing Requirement Courses**These courses satisfy a requirement and are not electives.
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Fall 2024 - Courses that do not have the Pass/No Pass Option
THE FOLLOWING COURSES DO NOT HAVE THE PASS/NO PASS OPTION FOR TERM I, 2024-25:
- Arab Americans and the Law, Prof. Zahr
- Counseling and Negotiations, Prof. Cholack
- Estates and Trusts, Prof. Belian
- Health Law, Prof. Golden
All Advanced Advocacy sections*
All Clinics*
All Global/International/Transnational Courses*
All Law Firm Program Courses*
All Upper-Level Writing Requirement Courses**These courses satisfy a requirement and are not electives.