Doctor of Juridical Science

A Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD; ), or a Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD; )<sub>,</sub> is a terminal research doctorate degree in law that is equivalent to a Ph.D. degree. In most countries (including the United States), it is the most advanced law degree that can be earned, higher than both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).

Australia

The SJD is offered by the Australian National University, Bond University, La Trobe University, the University of Canberra, the University of New South Wales, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Western Australia.

The University of Sydney stopped accepting new applications for an SJD in 2018.

Canada

In Canada, the JSD or SJD is offered at University of Toronto Faculty of Law and the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. Other law schools in Canada still offer a PhD in law as the terminal degree.

Italy

In Italy, the title of Doctor of Juridical Science (dottore in scienze giuridiche) is awarded to holders of a Degree in Juridical Sciences (laurea in scienze giuridiche, EQF level 6), while Magistral Doctor of Juridical Sciences (dottore magistrale in scienze giuridiche) is awarded to holders of a Magistral Degree in Juridical Sciences (laurea magistrale in scienze giuridiche, EQF level 7).

Instead, the terminal degree for law, is the research doctorate (PhD, dottorato di ricerca), awarding the title of Research Doctor (dottore di ricerca).

United States

The JSD, or SJD, is a research doctorate, and as such, in contrast to the JD, it is equivalent to the more commonly awarded research doctorate, the PhD. It is the most advanced law degree.

In 1910, Harvard Law School became the first American law school to offer the SJD/JSD. The first student to obtain a Doctor of Juridical Science was Eldon Revare James, who entered Harvard in 1911, and obtained his SJD in 1912. Most scholars who complete the JSD/SJD at American universities are international students seeking employment in their home countries. Many foreign SJD/JSD students are already lawyers in their home countries, and are seeking to further advance their careers.

Applicants for the program must have outstanding academic credentials. A professional degree in law (such as a JD) is required, as well as an LLM. Exceptions as to the latter condition (i.e., holding an LLM) are seldom—if ever—granted.

The JSD/SJD typically requires three to five years to complete. The program begins with a combination of required and elective coursework. Then, upon passage of the oral exam, the student advances to doctoral candidacy. Completion of the program requires a dissertation, which serves as an original contribution to the scholarly field of law.

Notable recipients

Notable recipients of the degree of Doctor of Juridical Science include: