Program Overview

Doctor of Juridical Science

School of Law

Program Description

The University at Buffalo's research doctorate is for lawyers throughout the world interested in analyzing, understanding, assessing and using law as a mode of social organization and an instrument of governance. Our program trains legal scholars to employ interdisciplinary tools to observe, analyze and assess legal doctrines, policies and institutions. The Doctor of Juridical Science is the law school's most advanced degree. It makes full use of our creative and interdisciplinary faculty to prepare students for careers as law professors, judicial and other public offices, as well as high-level policy positions in international organizations.

Instruction Method

• In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

• Full Time

Credits Required

• 27 Hours

Time-to-Degree

• 3 Years

The JSD can typically be completed within three years—one year in residence of full-time study with coursework, followed by a period of research and writing (generally an additional one to two years).

Application Fee

• $85

Special Requirements

The University at Buffalo's JSD is designed for the student who has already earned a first law degree (a JD or LLB) and an LLM degree, who has strong English language skills, and who already has identified a well-defined research problem to pursue.

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).