Dual JD

Description

Detroit Mercy Law School offers a unique three year program with the University of Windsor that culminates in students earning both Canadian and American Juris Doctor degrees. Students who participate in this program are able to stand out in the marketplace through their commitment to a rigorous course of study that provides them with an understanding of two different legal systems. The program permits students to focus on important areas of law, including immigration law, corporate/commercial law, and intellectual property.

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  • Degree Requirements - Juris Doctor (105 credits)

    Students are able to complete this program in three years, saving significant time and money. Because Detroit Mercy Law and the University of Windsor are only 10 minutes apart, students can study at the two schools. Not only do students in the program have a rich curriculum, they are able to participate in the student activities and programs offered by both schools. Students will complete a total of 105 credits, 45 at the University of Windsor and 60 at University of Detroit Mercy.

    Students are required to pass all of their courses with a minimum grade of 1.5, and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 to graduate from the program.

    Year 1

    Fall/Winter: Windsor

    • LAWG 5813 Canadian & U.S. Property (6 credits)
    • LAWG 5814 Canadian & U.S. Contracts (6 credits)
    • LAWG 5815 Canadian & U.S. Criminal Law (6 credits)
    • LAWG 5816 Canadian Constitutional Law (5 credits)
    • LAWG 5962 Indigenous Legal Orders (3 credits)

    Fall/Winter: Detroit Mercy

    • LAW 1070 Comparative Legal Writing and Research I (5 credits)
    • LAW 1071 Comparative Legal Writing and Research II (4 credits)

    Summer: Detroit Mercy

    • LAW 2060 U.S. Constitutional Law (4 credits)
    • LAW 2080 United States Civil Procedure Dual JD Program (3 credits)

    Year 2

    Fall: Windsor

    • LAWG 5825 Canadian Civil Procedure (4 credits)

    Fall: Detroit Mercy

    • LAW 2120 Canadian and United States Torts (5 credits)
    • LAW 2480 Canadian & U.S. Professional Responsibility (4 credits)

    Winter: Detroit Mercy

    • LAW 2160 Canadian and United States Business Organizations (5 credits)
    • LAW 2230 Canadian and United States Evidence (5 credits)

    At Detroit Mercy Law, all Dual JD students must also complete:

    • Upper Level Writing Requirement (2-3 credits)
    • Clinic (2-4 credits)
    • Law Firm Program (3 credits)
    • Transnational Law Requirement (6 credits)
    • Electives (credits vary)

Admission Requirements

New students are required to receive a bachelor's degree before entering law school and must have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) within the past five years.

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  • Bachelor's Degree

    Students must receive a bachelor's degree before entering law school. While many students apply in the final year of undergraduate studies prior to receiving their degree, others apply after receiving their degree. All undergraduate degrees are acceptable. Each year, the incoming class includes students with a variety of degrees in liberal arts, education, criminal justice, business, and STEM. We encourage candidates to maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average at or above 3.0 for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application.

  • LSAT Score

    Students must have taken the LSAT within the past five years and have a current score available. Applicants must have a high LSAT score in at least the 15th percentile of that test's administration to be considered. We encourage candidates to perform at the 50th percentile or better for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application. Applicants may apply before sitting for the LSAT. We will complete and hold the application pending the LSAT score release.

Application Requirements

Files are reviewed for decision upon completion. A complete file includes the following components.

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  • Application

    Detroit Mercy Law accepts online applications submitted the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS) or the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Applications must include complete responses to all questions.
  • CAS Report

    Applicants must request that LSAC provide Detroit Mercy Law with a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report that includes all LSAT score(s), transcript(s), and TOEFL scores (if applicable).

    TOEFL scores, including the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English, are required from applicants who earned their undergraduate degree outside of the U.S., its territories, or Canada.  Applicants should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for TOEFL registration at www.toefl.org. Applicants submitting TOEFL results must request that ETS send TOEFL scores to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code is 0058.

    Applicants who completed more than one year of post-secondary work outside of the U.S., its territories, or Canada, with the exception of study abroad, consortium, or exchange programs sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution and stated as such on the home institution transcript, are required to use CAS for the authentication and evaluation of international transcripts. For less than one year of study, an applicant may submit transcripts of this work directly to Detroit Mercy Law.

  • Letters of Recommendation

    Two letters of recommendation are required, and one must come from a college professor, unless the applicant has been out of college for a number of years. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through LSAC.

  • Personal Statement

    The personal statement is an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to learn more about your qualifications and how you will contribute to the classroom and the profession. The statement should not exceed two pages and should include your name and LSAC account number on each page. Please share information about what inspired you to pursue a legal education, your professional goals, and your interests. The statement also serves as a writing sample and should adhere to conventional rules of writing.

  • Resume

    A one-page resume is preferred. Resumes should not exceed two pages. Please include an education section and experience section. In the education section, you may list any awards, scholarships, publications, and activities. In the experience section, you may include both paid and unpaid experiences. You may also include other sections, for example, languages, memberships, and interests. Do not include an objective or references section.

  • Dual JD Supplemental Form

    This is required of applicants to the Transnational Canadian and American Dual JD Program. Please see the Supplemental Form section of the online application to download the form.

  • Addenda

    Please submit an explanatory addendum for each academic and criminal disclosure that includes specific dates, causes, circumstances, and outcomes for each disclosure. Other explanatory addenda are accepted, but not required. Addenda should not exceed one page in length, absent extraordinary circumstances.

Admission Decisions

The Admissions Committee considers a variety of factors in making admissions decisions.

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  • Academic Credentials

    We encourage candidates to maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average at or above 3.0 and to perform at the 50th percentile or better on the LSAT for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application.

  • Additional Criteria

    We consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application. Additional criteria include 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.