Doctor of Juridical Science at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

The S.J.D. is UCLA Law's most advanced degree, designed for those pursuing careers as teachers and scholars of law. The program admits no more than two students per year.

Faculty: School of Law | Duration: Two semesters in residence (minimum 10 graded units per semester), then dissertation within two years of residency | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Students complete two semesters in residence with at least ten graded units each semester, then form a three-member doctoral committee, defend a research proposal, and write and defend a dissertation.

Career pathways

Law teaching and scholarship.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) and an LL.M. degree on matriculation, a distinguished academic record, a detailed statement of research purpose, and a letter from a UCLA faculty member agreeing to supervise. Applicants first submit a Preliminary Application Inquiry Form (available October 15 to January 15); invited applicants then submit résumé, personal statement, transcripts, recommendation letters and TOEFL (or IELTS) if the applicant is a non-native English speaker without a law degree from an English-language institution.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Graduate application fee: $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all other applicants; deadlines are set by each programme, mostly in November and early December for the following fall.

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