Interested Applicants to SJD /JSD Programs


aymanlegal

Hi all,

I know that LLM Guide is more concerned with LLM and JD programs more than JSD/SJD. However; I found it beneficial to make this post for those applicants who are interested in applying to a doctoral degree at CLS, Cornell, UW, GWU,etc.
I hope we can share information about experiences, backgrounds, eligibility restrictions, admission standards etc.
Information from applicants currently applying to the above mentioned programs, and/or those who have been already admitted to any of the above programs will be highly appreciated.
I will start by myself, I received my first law degree (LLB ) from Cairo University And an LL.M. degree from Indiana University. I applied to JSD at CLS and UW, and I am now preparing my applications to Cornell, Chicago, GWU.
thank you in advance.
Ayman

Hi all,

I know that LLM Guide is more concerned with LLM and JD programs more than JSD/SJD. However; I found it beneficial to make this post for those applicants who are interested in applying to a doctoral degree at CLS, Cornell, UW, GWU,…etc.
I hope we can share information about experiences, backgrounds, eligibility restrictions, admission standards …etc.
Information from applicants currently applying to the above mentioned programs, and/or those who have been already admitted to any of the above programs will be highly appreciated.
I will start by myself, I received my first law degree (LLB ) from Cairo University And an LL.M. degree from Indiana University. I applied to JSD at CLS and UW, and I am now preparing my applications to Cornell, Chicago, GWU.
thank you in advance.
Ayman
quote
Jitana

Ayman,

Do you plan on going into legal academia? What is your focus/thesis?

Thanks,

~Jitana

Ayman,

Do you plan on going into legal academia? What is your focus/thesis?

Thanks,

~Jitana
quote
Stagista11

an SJD is the 'highest' law degree, and yet is not a PhD. besides, most schools encourage you to apply first to a LLM program, and only once you've been admitted (or even along the 1st year) then you apply for the 2nd year (research only; you may audit classes but they do not show up in your transcripts). Lastly, most schools do not provide funding for such program. That being said, get in touch with professors and admissions offices and ask them for advice

an SJD is the 'highest' law degree, and yet is not a PhD. besides, most schools encourage you to apply first to a LLM program, and only once you've been admitted (or even along the 1st year) then you apply for the 2nd year (research only; you may audit classes but they do not show up in your transcripts). Lastly, most schools do not provide funding for such program. That being said, get in touch with professors and admissions offices and ask them for advice
quote
aymanlegal

Ayman,

Do you plan on going into legal academia? What is your focus/thesis?

Thanks,

~Jitana


yes Jitana i want to pursue a career in law teaching. my main focis is comparative contract law.

thank you for passing by.

<blockquote>Ayman,

Do you plan on going into legal academia? What is your focus/thesis?

Thanks,

~Jitana</blockquote>

yes Jitana i want to pursue a career in law teaching. my main focis is comparative contract law.

thank you for passing by.
quote
aymanlegal

an SJD is the 'highest' law degree, and yet is not a PhD. besides, most schools encourage you to apply first to a LLM program, and only once you've been admitted (or even along the 1st year) then you apply for the 2nd year (research only; you may audit classes but they do not show up in your transcripts). Lastly, most schools do not provide funding for such program. That being said, get in touch with professors and admissions offices and ask them for advice


Dear Stagista11, thank you for your valuable contribution. please correct me if i am wrong that PhD and JSD are both doctoral degrees. i have read several articles about the main differences between both degrees and i concluded that PhD is more concerned with the theory of law meanwhile SJD is more focusing on the practical side of law.

one more thing is that most law professors in US do not hold SJD but only hold either JD or JD with an LL.M. So,i am not sure about the necessity of pursuing SJD if one wants to persue academia in US, however; in all cases, a doctoral degree is required to persue acedemia in most other countries.

thanks for passing by.

<blockquote>an SJD is the 'highest' law degree, and yet is not a PhD. besides, most schools encourage you to apply first to a LLM program, and only once you've been admitted (or even along the 1st year) then you apply for the 2nd year (research only; you may audit classes but they do not show up in your transcripts). Lastly, most schools do not provide funding for such program. That being said, get in touch with professors and admissions offices and ask them for advice </blockquote>

Dear Stagista11, thank you for your valuable contribution. please correct me if i am wrong that PhD and JSD are both doctoral degrees. i have read several articles about the main differences between both degrees and i concluded that PhD is more concerned with the theory of law meanwhile SJD is more focusing on the practical side of law.

one more thing is that most law professors in US do not hold SJD but only hold either JD or JD with an LL.M. So,i am not sure about the necessity of pursuing SJD if one wants to persue academia in US, however; in all cases, a doctoral degree is required to persue acedemia in most other countries.

thanks for passing by.
quote
Stagista11

unfortunately, a SJD is not a PhD, i.e. is not a doctoral program. a SJD has been conceived because (till last year) there was no PhD in law offered in the US. Yale Law is the fist school that has launched such program, although it's open to US JDs only... Nevertheless, bear in mind that a US PhD lasts on average 5-6 years, usually awards you a masters' degree after two years, when you're done with your courses as well as your 2nd year paper...

unfortunately, a SJD is not a PhD, i.e. is not a doctoral program. a SJD has been conceived because (till last year) there was no PhD in law offered in the US. Yale Law is the fist school that has launched such program, although it's open to US JDs only... Nevertheless, bear in mind that a US PhD lasts on average 5-6 years, usually awards you a masters' degree after two years, when you're done with your courses as well as your 2nd year paper...
quote
aymanlegal

unfortunately, a SJD is not a PhD, i.e. is not a doctoral program. a SJD has been conceived because (till last year) there was no PhD in law offered in the US. Yale Law is the fist school that has launched such program, although it's open to US JDs only... Nevertheless, bear in mind that a US PhD lasts on average 5-6 years, usually awards you a masters' degree after two years, when you're done with your courses as well as your 2nd year paper...


the JSD stands for juridical science doctor. so how it is not a doctoral degree. most law schools i have contacted confirmed that SJD/JSD is a doctoral degree. on the other hand, i want to let you know that University of Washington offers a PhD in law. it is exactly the same duration as jsd in other US law schools.
so, can you please share how SJD is not a doctoral degree, and what are the main differences between PhD and SJD.

thank you in advance.
Ayman

<blockquote>unfortunately, a SJD is not a PhD, i.e. is not a doctoral program. a SJD has been conceived because (till last year) there was no PhD in law offered in the US. Yale Law is the fist school that has launched such program, although it's open to US JDs only... Nevertheless, bear in mind that a US PhD lasts on average 5-6 years, usually awards you a masters' degree after two years, when you're done with your courses as well as your 2nd year paper...</blockquote>

the JSD stands for juridical science doctor. so how it is not a doctoral degree. most law schools i have contacted confirmed that SJD/JSD is a doctoral degree. on the other hand, i want to let you know that University of Washington offers a PhD in law. it is exactly the same duration as jsd in other US law schools.
so, can you please share how SJD is not a doctoral degree, and what are the main differences between PhD and SJD.

thank you in advance.
Ayman
quote

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