Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
The University of Kansas School of Law is one of the few law schools in the United States to offer a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), the terminal degree in law. The S.J.D. program is designed for students interested in deep legal research and writing, and a career as a legal scholar or a senior public official.
Recent S.J.D. graduates are working as faculty at universities in Egypt, Taiwan and Japan; and policy researchers at private firms in the U.S.
Candidates must hold a basic law degree (LL.B.) and a master’s (LL.M.), or a J.D.; show an accomplished academic record; and compose an original, thoughtful dissertation proposal. In exceptional circumstances, KU Law may waive the LL.M. degree prerequisite for applicants who hold a J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
How to Apply
Students applying for admission to the S.J.D. program should complete the following:
☐ Dissertation proposal
The proposal should include a title, table of contents, explanation and sample bibliography. This is the most important component of the application and should reveal why the candidate wants to study the dissertation topic and what arguments are likely to be raised in defense of the proposal. Based on the subject matter of the proposed dissertation, the candidate should identify an individual faculty member who might serve as chair of the dissertation committee and contact only that professor directly.
☐ Dissertation chair
Every S.J.D. applicant must identify a current KU Law faculty member to serve as chair of his or her dissertation committee. To select this person, you must review carefully our faculty biography pages to identify a professor with whom you share scholarly interests. Once you have selected this person, please email them directly to request that he or she serve as your chair. In the event this professor is already serving as a chair, you may ask this person to recommend another faculty member.
☐ Submit a completed application by March 15, 2012 deadline
☐ Download the application for admission to the S.J.D. program (PDF).
☐ Include official transcripts from all undergraduate and law school programs attended.
☐ Include at least two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to pursue advanced graduate work, including writing a dissertation.
☐ Proof of English proficiency
As evidenced by TOEFL exam scores or successful completion of a basic law degree, or master’s degree, from a program conducted in English. In rare circumstances, KU Law may require the submission of a TOEFL score or request a personal interview for a candidate who holds an LL.M.
☐ $55 application fee
Residency
A minimum residency period of one year at KU is required. During this time, the candidate completes KU Law courses necessary for dissertation research. The successful completion of 16 credit hours of coursework is required in the first year.
Following the residency period, some candidates obtain or return to prominent jobs in the U.S. or their home countries and write their dissertation remotely. However, all students remain continuously enrolled – whether or not in residence at KU – until the degree is completed.
After the candidate has earned 16 credits of coursework during the residence period, he or she will need 6 more credits (22 total) to complete the S.J.D. degree. The final 6 credits are obtained through dissertation research and preparation.
Dissertation Passage Requirements
- Successful completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.
- Production of a dissertation of no less than 200 single-spaced pages, including front material, footnotes, and bibliography. Paper type, font, margins, and other format and style matters must conform to KU's Graduate School Instructions to Candidates for Doctoral Degrees in order for the dissertation to be deposited in the KU Libraries.
- Evidence that the candidate has identified a legal issue of relevance; constructed an original argument about that legal issue; defended that argument in a manner that is clear, organized, well-written and well-reasoned; and produced a work that would be publishable as a book, extended law review article, or linked series of law review articles.
- Successful, public defense of the dissertation to committee.
Summary of S.J.D. Program Structure
| Year and Semester | Activity |
|---|---|
*1st Year - Fall Semester | Coursework related to dissertation research 8 total credits |
*1st Year - Spring Semester | Coursework related to dissertation research 8 total credits |
Summer after 1st Year | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
2nd Year - Fall Semester | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
2nd Year - Spring Semester | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
Summer after 2nd Year | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
3rd Year - Fall Semester | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
3rd Year - Spring Semester | 1 credit hour for research/writing dissertation |
* 1st Year must be in residence at the University of Kansas School of Law