Online JD Program

Earn your JD in four years through our innovative online program.

Detroit Mercy Law received ABA approval in Spring 2025 to begin the first fully online JD program in Michigan. The first entering class in the program will be in Fall 2026.

Program Format

All classes in this program will take place online—both asynchronous and synchronous courses will be offered. There is no requirement to come in person to Detroit Mercy Law at any point during the program. Students will be expected to take between 9 and 12 credits in the fall and winter semesters and 3 credits in the summer.

Graduation requires 90 credit hours of required and elective courses.

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Foundational Courses
All students complete foundation courses at the beginning of their legal studies. These are a combination of doctrinal and skills-based courses that will set you up for success in higher level courses.

Foundational courses include, but are not limited to:
- Contracts
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Writing & Research
- Property
- Critical Lawyering Skills in Social Context
- Torts
- Criminal Law
Upper Level Core Courses
All students complete core courses in their upper-level years.

Core courses include:
- US Constitutional Law
- Professional Responsibility
- Evidence
- One clinic
- One Law Firm Program course
- One upper-level writing course
- One global distribution course
Upper Level Electives
In addition to the foundation and core curriculum, students must complete a minimum of 34 elective courses to satisfy the degree requirement of 90 credit hours. We strongly encourage students to complete courses that are frequently tested on the Bar Exam in the state in which they plan to take the exam.

Courses that could be offered include, but are not limited to:
- Sales
- Transactional Drafting
- Mediation
- Immigration Law
- Advanced Legal Research
- Estates & Trusts

Application 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. At this time, Detroit Mercy Law does not accept JD-Next or GRE scores in lieu of LSAT scores.

All applicants must submit an eApp and a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report via LSAC. The CAS report will include all LSAT score(s), transcript(s), and TOEFL scores (if applicable).

A new class will start each fall beginning in Fall 2026.

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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.
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.
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 program and the profession. The statement should not exceed three pages double spaced 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. Additionally, as an applicant to the online program, you should address why you are choosing to pursue an online education instead of the traditional path.
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.
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.

Letters should not be written by family members, family friends, or other personal connections.
Addenda (If Applicable)

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.

Application Timeline

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September 1: Applications Open

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible in the application cycle for maximum consideration.
November: First Decisions Made

Applications are considered on a rolling basis with first decisions being made in November and early December.
February 15: Priority Deadline

Applications completed by this date will be given priority consideration for admission and scholarships. After this deadline, the admissions committee will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis and award scholarships on a resource-available basis.