Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) Program

The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree program is designed for law school graduates who have demonstrated excellent law school academic performance and writing skills, indicating potential to conduct legal research and scholarship in the English language. This highly selective program accepts no more than two SJD candidates in a given academic year.

About the Program

Admitted SJD students are expected to complete their dissertation research within three years. The program is completed on a full-time basis, with students studying in residence in Philadelphia during the first year. In subsequent years, students may register for dissertation research without being physically present on campus.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

The time limit for degree completion is 4 years.

Campus Location

The program is located on the Main campus.

Job Prospects

SJD graduates typically teach law at the university level outside of the United States.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy

Students must be matriculated in the program to take courses.

Financing Opportunities

All incoming SJD candidates are charged a one-time SJD program fee of $12,000. The SJD program does not have a scholarship program, but students may explore financial aid opportunities commonly available to JD students.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline

The application deadline is May 15.

Application Procedures

Procedures for applying to the SJD degree program vary depending on where the applicants earned their LLM degree:

• Apply as a Temple LLM Graduate:
  • Take courses for grades while enrolled in Temple's LLM program.
  • Earn a final cumulative Temple Law School GPA of 3.33 or higher.
  • Earn a grade of "B+" (3.33) or higher in JUDO 0414 Legal Research and Writing I or JUDO J414 Legal Research & Writing.
  • Earn a grade of "B" (3.00) or higher in an upper division research writing seminar.
  • Demonstrate, if relevant, a TOEFL IBT score of 100 or IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no individual scores below 6.5 points.
  • Complete and submit an online Temple Law SJD application.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from two Temple law professors that endorse the applicant's English writing ability, recommend the applicant's admission into the program, and endorse the subject matter of the proposed dissertation.
  • Submit a detailed dissertation topic proposal.
  • Provide a current resume or CV.
  • Submit a personal statement describing your goals and motivation to earn the SJD degree.
• Apply as a Non-Temple LLM Graduate:
  1. Complete and submit an online Temple Law SJD application.
  2. Submit official transcripts from all law schools and universities previously attended.
  3. Demonstrate, with submission of an official score report, a TOEFL IBT score of at least 100 or IELTS overall score of at least 7.0 with no individual scores below 6.5 points, if relevant.
  4. Provide two letters of recommendation from professors or workplace superiors who are able to certify the applicant's legal research and writing skills.
  5. Submit a detailed dissertation topic proposal.
  6. Provide a current resume or CV.
  7. Submit a personal statement describing your goals and motivation to earn the SJD degree.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

• Coursework Required of Temple LLM Graduates: Register for 2 credits of JUSI D899 Dissertation Research every semester of enrollment in the SJD program. At least one year in residence at Beasley School of Law on Main campus in Philadelphia is required.
• Coursework Required of Non-Temple LLM Graduates: Enroll in graded Temple Law classes in the Fall semester. SJD First-Year classes are individually selected from the JD curriculum to ensure they relate to the student's research topic. At least one law writing class is required.

Additional Requirement

At the end of each academic year of enrollment, the dissertation advisor must certify to the SJD Committee that the student has made satisfactory progress.

Culminating Events

• Dissertation Committee: After making satisfactory progress during the first year of dissertation work, the advisor forms a dissertation committee consisting of a minimum of two other faculty members.
• Annual Public Presentation of SJD Dissertation Work-in-Progress: SJD students who have begun work on their dissertation must give a public presentation of their research each academic year.
• Attendance at Faculty Colloquia: SJD students are invited to attend faculty colloquia to understand what is expected of legal academic researchers.
• Law Professor Mentor and Classroom Observation: Law professors may offer to mentor SJD students by allowing them to observe one of their classes.
• Oral Dissertation Defense: When an advisor, in consultation with the student's dissertation committee, has determined that the candidate is ready to defend the dissertation, the advisor coordinates scheduling of the oral dissertation defense.
• Dissertation Honors: At the discretion of the advisor, the candidate may be awarded an "honors" designation on the transcript for an outstanding dissertation.