Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

The SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) degree is designed for scholars and teachers of law who seek to produce a publishable dissertation that uniquely contributes to a specific area of law. This degree is most often obtained by international attorneys who are pursuing academic or high-ranking governmental careers in their home countries. The SJD is not a course-oriented degree, but rather is directed toward scholarly research.

The SJD is the highest post-graduate law degree offered by Wake Forest University School of Law. Each SJD candidate is assigned a principal faculty advisor with expertise in the student’s research area, and two additional faculty members who form the student’s doctoral committee. This faculty committee evaluates the SJD student’s progress, makes recommendations, and conducts an oral examination on the dissertation. In addition to the SJD student’s doctoral committee, other members of the Law School faculty are generally prepared to offer advice when consulted.