College of Law Introduces S.J.D. Degree Program

Syracuse University’s College of Law has launched its new Doctor of Juridical Science in Law (Scientiae Juridicae Doctor, or S.J.D.) degree program. This is the third programmatic announcement in the 2019-2020 academic year for the College of Law, coming after the December 2019 launch of the online J.D./M.B.A. program and the January 2020 launch of Third Year Away.

An advanced research doctorate program—which has been approved by New York State Department of Education and received acquiescence from the American Bar Association—the S.J.D. program is similar to Ph.D. programs in other disciplines. While pursuing their advanced legal studies, S.J.D. students will work under the supervision of their faculty advisors to produce an original dissertation that will make a substantial contribution to the field of law.

“Syracuse’s S.J.D. program is designed to foster original research of outstanding legal scholars and aspiring academics from around the world. S.J.D. students will discover that the College of Law is a thriving academic community where the breadth and depth of our faculty’s expertise as leaders in their respective fields will complement the students’ own advanced intellectual inquiry,” says Craig M. Boise, dean of the College of Law. “I look forward to welcoming S.J.D. students whose contributions and international perspectives will enhance the College of Law’s reputation as a global center for engaging in the most pressing legal and policy topics of our day.”

“The College of Law’s new S.J.D. Program builds on our highly successful LL.M. program that offers unique specialties in international and comparative disability law, national and international security law, technology and innovation law, as well as other disciplines,” says Arlene Kanter, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor and faculty director of international programs. “Syracuse also offers S.J.D. students the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary coursework and academic engagement with other academic programs of Syracuse University—an R1 research institution—including at the world-renowned Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Whitman School of Management.”

Andrew Horsfall, assistant dean of international programs, says “the S.J.D. admissions committee is eager to begin reviewing application materials from potential candidates for the fall 2020 cohort, and we will continue to do so on a rolling basis.” Applicants must hold a degree in law, and international applicants are encouraged to have an LL.M. from an accredited law school in the United States. An applicant’s prior academic record and the compatibility of research goals with College of Law faculty expertise are among the other admission criteria.

The S.J.D. program requires a yearlong colloquium course, as well as elective coursework to support the student’s dissertation research and writing. S.J.D. students are expected to complete the program within three to five years, culminating in an oral defense of their dissertation that will be open to the University community.

During semesters in residence, S.J.D. students will engage in coursework and research activities at the College of Law and across Syracuse University. After their first year, students may pursue optional semesters in residence at Syracuse, or field placements and research opportunities away from the College of Law.

For more information about the S.J.D. Program, visit law.syr.edu/sjd or email Horsfall at SJD@law.syr.edu.