- Academic Program Planning
- Group Workshops
- Individual Assistance
- Health Insurance
- Housing
- Child Care
- Campus Security
- First-Year Students
- Joint-Degree and University Graduate Course Options
- Student Life
- ADA Accommodations
- Exam Schedule Variances
- Academic Regulations
- Law School Commencement Information
- Bar Exam Application and Preparation
- Visiting Students and Study Abroad
First-Year Students
Whether you are coming to law school directly from college or are here after advanced graduate education and years of employment experience, the first year of legal education will be a unique journey. The process is different from your previous academic endeavors.
Some have described the first semester as a journey down an unfamiliar dirt road on a foggy night with no map-filled with uncertainty and an often troubling lack of feedback. Don't despair. When you are a member of the first-year class at WSU Law School, you have already proven you an able traveler. While challenging, the first year, and especially the first semester, will be an exciting and engaging journey. The staff of the Dean of Students Office is available to meet your needs. If we can't help, we'll direct you to the appropriate resource.
- If you have not stopped in to meet Michele R. Miller, J.D., Assistant Dean of Students, Felicia Thomas, Director of Academic Success and Ricardo M. Villarosa, Esq., Director of Educational Outreach, do so soon. Walk-ins are welcome and having a problem is not a requirement. We encourage purely social visits.
Joint-Degree and University Graduate Course Options
The Law School offers flexible options for students who wish to take other graduate-level courses at Wayne State University, including J.D. and master's joint-degree programs in business, economics, history, political science, and dispute resolution. Students may apply for admission to a joint-degree program during their first year of law school. For each degree, students must apply to both schools (the Law School and the graduate school).
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Student Life
While the classroom is essential to legal education, preparation for the legal profession requires practical experience. Engaging in student life provides many opportunities to become an active member of the legal community. Law students benefit from working and socializing with peers, participating in the planning of a panel discussion, or partaking of a workshop with current members of the bench and bar. There are many such opportunities here at the Law School.
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PROFESSIONAL, SERVICE, AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
Wayne State University Law School supports many organizations that appeal to students of various backgrounds and interests. Many of these organizations produce lectures and other programs for the benefit of the entire Law School community.
- ABA LAW STUDENT DIVISION
- ARAB & CHALDEAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
- ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
- BLACK LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
- DELTA THETA PHI LAW FRATERNITY
- ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY
- FEDERALIST SOCIETY
- GAY/LESBIAN LAW CAUCUS
- HISPANIC LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
- INTERNATIONAL LAW SOCIETY
- JEWISH LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
- LAW STUDENTS FOR CHOICE
- NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD
- NATIVE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
- PHI DELTA PHI
- PUBLIC INTEREST LAW ASSOCIATION
- ST. THOMAS MORE SOCIETY
- STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN LAW STUDENT SECTION
- STUDENT BOARD OF GOVERNORS
- THE JOURNAL OF LAW IN SOCIETY
- THE WAYNE LAW REVIEW
- WAYNE STATE LAW SCHOOL HOCKEY TEAM
- WOMEN'S LAW CAUCUS
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RECREATION AND FITNESS CENTER (RFC)
To keep up with demanding pace of law school, students need to stay physically fit. Located a short walk from the Law School, the RFC provides students with the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a state-of-the-art fitness center that includes a climbing wall, exercise classes, leisure pool, water slide, and jacuzzi.
Please go to the RFC Web Page to learn more.
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ADA Accommodations
Law students who require ADA accommodations should contact Michele R. Miller, J.D., Assistant Dean of Students for confidential assistance.
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Exam Schedule Variances
Students who wish to request an alternative schedule for any of their law school exams must submit an Exam Variance Request Form to the Dean of Students Office.
Students who experience an emergency which delays or prevents their arrival for a scheduled law school exam must contact Michele R. Miller, J.D., Assistant Dean of Students immediately by telephone. She can be reached at 313-577-3993. Disable this link to Michele, since they have to phone.
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Academic Regulations
All law students are required to read the Academic
Regulations. Any questions regarding the regulations may be directed to the Dean of Students Office.
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Law School Commencement Information
The Law School Commencement Ceremony is held annually at the Detroit Opera House, on the Monday following the winter exam period. Students who complete their requirements for the J.D. and LL.M. degrees within the academic year are eligible to participate in the ceremony.
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Bar Exam Application and Preparation
The Michigan Bar Exam is administered each February and July. Representatives from the State Bar Character and Fitness Committee visit the Law School each term to conduct a presentation on the application process.
Although the Bar Exam is taken after completing law school, planning for application and preparation process and expense should begin after students finish their first year of legal study.
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Visiting Students and Study Abroad
Students who plan on visiting another law school or participating in a "Study Abroad" program sponsored by another ABA approved law school must obtain a Status Letter from the Dean of Students Office.
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HEALTH INSURANCE
Wayne State University offers health insurance to students and their families through a private insurance carrier. Students can obtain information about this coverage by calling the Domestic Student Health Insurance Department of the International Services Office at (313) 577 0724 and speak with the Health Advocate or by checking the Health Advocate Website. Students may also visit the following websites to apply for health insurance: www.collegiaterisk.com or www.abanet.org.
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HOUSING
The University Housing Office manages several apartment buildings, some of which are exclusively for graduate and professional students, faculty, and staff. A new nine-story residence hall is scheduled to open for the fall 2005 academic year, with an area exclusively for law school students. For an illustrated brochure, price list, and application, contact the Housing Office, 700 Williams Mall, Detroit, MI 48202, (313) 577 2116 or visit the WSU Housing Website.
Detroit and the metropolitan area offer a wide range of housing of all prices and degrees of comfort. Information on off campus housing in the University area is available from the University Cultural Center Association at (313) 577 5088.
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CHILD CARE
The two campus day care locations are:
- Merrill-Palmer Child Development Laboratory
(313) 873-0724 - Child Care University Towers (College of Education)
(313) 577-1686
CAMPUS SECURITY
Wayne State University has its own police organization, called the Department of Public Safety.
In compliance with Federal regulations, the University publishes an annual security report containing campus security policies and procedures as well as campus crime statistics. Copies of the Annual Security Report are available upon request from the Law School Admissions Office, 471 W. Palmer St., Detroit, Michigan 48202.
Add:
If you have not stopped in to meet Michele R. Miller, J.D., Assistant Dean of Students and Ricardo M. Villarosa, Esq., Director of Educational Outreach, do so soon. Walk-ins are welcome and having a problem is not required. We encourage purely social visits. The links below will guide you to areas of interest and enlightenment about this first leg of your journey. Welcome to the legal profession.
If you're interested in any of the following topics, click here.
- Group Workshops
- Individual Assistance
- 10 Myths About Law School
- Academic Regulations
- Student Life
- ADA Accommodations
- Exam Schedule Variances
- Other Academic Support Sites
- Evening Students
- Access LexisNexis Web Courses.
- Click onto the Launch Web Course button
- Enter your LexisNexis ID when the LexisNexis Web Courses home page appears.
- Click onto the appropriate subject under My Courses.
