Canadian & American Dual Juris Doctor (JD)

Program Overview & Highlights

The Canadian & American Dual JD Program offers a unique curriculum for students to earn a law degree in both Canada and the United States in just three years. This integrated program is a collaboration between Windsor Law and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

By attending two law schools, Dual JD students have access to opportunities on both sides of the border to develop a unique skill set and become competent, justice-seeking lawyers in two countries.

Foundational courses in the Dual JD program are taught comparatively, meaning that students learn about Canadian and American law at the same time. Dual JD students also travel between Canada and the United States each term to attend classes in both countries. This truly cross-border experience provides Dual JD graduates with a one-of-a-kind legal education.

Experiential learning is built into the Dual JD program curriculum. All Dual JD students participate in a clinic through Detroit Mercy Law, where they gain experience working with real clients. The clinics at Detroit Mercy Law and Windsor Law allow students to gain exposure to a wide variety of legal practice areas. These include intellectual property law, arts and entertainment law, environmental law, criminal law, family law, immigration law, veterans’ law, wrongful conviction appeals, law relating to migrant workers, poverty law, and class actions.

Dual JD students will also enroll in a Detroit Mercy Law Firm Program course of their choosing, which will simulate working in a law firm, government agency, non-profit organization, or corporate legal department.

The border city advantage: earn two law degrees in Canada and the U.S. in only 3 years
Explore legal studies from a unique social justice perspective
Learn from our world-class faculty in our newly renovated, dynamic, and accessible classrooms

Learn More About Our Program

2
Earn two law degrees in Canada and the U.S. in just three years
160
classes and experiential learning opportunities offered
$40M
renovation recently completed to the Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law building
50+
Student-led events per year

What Lancers Are Saying

Admission Requirements

Student in Canada

Admissions Policy: No one single factor is solely determinative of admission to the law school. The Admissions Committee assesses applications in light of the criteria set out below and the chief source of information about applicants is that which is provided by them in their Personal Profile. Applicants should take care to present a full and rounded view of themselves in their Personal Profile. The admissions criteria and procedures for the current entering class are set out below.

Objective: The objective of the admissions policy is to select students who will excel in the study of law and who have the potential to contribute creatively and meaningfully to the law school and the community.

Criteria: The majority of applicants are considered by the Admissions Committee in the framework of the following criteria:

  1. University Program: This category comprises undergraduate average and academic performance trends in light of relevant considerations; awards and prizes; the nature and content of the program taken; the level of any degree(s) or diplomas obtained.
  2. Work Experience: Part-time, summer and full-time work experience is analyzed for signs of organizational and administrative skills as well as initiative. Vocational, professional or other special qualifications will be considered.
  3. Community Involvement: Contribution to the community (city/town; university; religious; etc.) will be assessed for indications of commitment to the community. Factors examined include the nature of the applicant’s participation in service clubs, community service organizations, religious, athletic, and social organizations.
  4. Personal Accomplishments: Factors can include extracurricular activities, hobbies and special accomplishments; artistic and athletic accomplishments; communication skills and languages spoken.
  5. Career Objectives: The applicant’s career objectives, including how and where the legal education will be employed, are considered.
  6. Personal Considerations: Personal factors affecting the applicant are recognized in this section. Any personalfactors such as illness, bereavement, unusual family responsibilities or other such circumstances which may have some bearing on the applicant’s qualifications will be noted.
  7. Law School Admission Test Scores: All applicants must write the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

 

Admission Deadlines


November 1: First-Year Entry

April 15: Dual JD Entry

May 1: Upper-Year Entry

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