Legal Definitions - Doctor of Juridical Science

A Doctor of Juridical Science is a graduate law degree that goes beyond the J.D. and the LL.M. degrees. It is also known as S.J.D., J.S.D., Doctor of Judicial Science, Doctor of the Science of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of the Science of Law.

For example, if someone has already earned a J.D. or LL.M. degree and wants to further specialize in a specific area of law, they may pursue a Doctor of Juridical Science degree. This degree is typically research-based and requires the student to write a dissertation on a legal topic.

Another example is that a person who wants to become a law professor or a legal scholar may pursue a Doctor of Juridical Science degree to enhance their credentials and expertise in the field of law.

In summary, a Doctor of Juridical Science is a high-level law degree that allows individuals to specialize in a specific area of law and conduct research in the field of law.