Doctor of Juridical Science

Program Requirements

There are five stages to the S.J.D. program:

1. Completion of a study plan which includes course work, typically in the first year of a student’s enrollment in the S.J.D. program.
2. Successful completion of a prospectus defense, typically in the first two years of the student’s enrollment in the S.J.D. program.
3. Two presentations at the S.J.D. Colloquium, typically in year two or three of a student’s enrollment in the S.J.D. program.
4. Submission and acceptance of a doctoral dissertation in the last year of a student’s enrollment in the S.J.D. program.
5. Successful oral defense of the dissertation, typically in the last semester of a student’s enrollment in the S.J.D. program.

All S.J.D. students are expected to take the following courses in their first year or two of the S.J.D. program:

• Methods (3 credits, Fall semester). First year S.J.D. students take this class their Fall semester. Its purpose is to launch students on the path to writing a successful dissertation. Specifically, students refine their dissertation topic and write a thesis statement as well as tentatively decide on a structure for their dissertation and discuss writing strategies. The course examines and compares concepts and features of different legal scholarship methodologies. Finally, students are introduced to the Zotero/Juris M database and citation manager.
• Presentation Skills for Law School Academics (2 credits, Spring or Summer semester). First year S.J.D. students take this course to receive training in presentations and practice their skills in moot sessions. Specifically, the course aims to provide the opportunity for students to refine their communication skills in order to effectively communicate research projects to listeners, enhance listening skills, adapt messages to desired purposes and target audiences, and manage information before, during, and after presentations. This course culminates in presentations at the National S.J.D. Roundtable.
• Scholarly Paper Seminars (3 credits times three, either Fall or Spring semesters). Over the course of their years in the S.J.D. Program, students take at least three seminars or directed readings from the law school’s regular curriculum or specifically given by their thesis advisor or a member of their doctoral committee that require a scholarly paper. Students select their three seminars in consultation with their faculty supervisor. The purposes of this requirement are to add to students’ intellectual foundations for the dissertation; to give them additional experience writing a scholarly paper; to get them started drafting portions of their dissertations; and, if appropriate, to enable them to submit an article for publication.

Beside these courses, students who are enrolled in the S.J.D. program must take in their first year of residence at Emory Law a total of 30 credits which include a mixture of the following:

• A course on methodology in their field of study.
• Any advanced courses they feel they need to take or that their advisor recommends.
• Directed readings under their faculty advisor.
• Courses in other divisions of the University.
• Any foreign language needed for their course of study.

Sample Coursework for Year One of S.J.D. student:

Fall - 15 credits total

• S.J.D. Methods Seminar: 3 credits
• Scholarly Paper Seminar: 3 credits
• Advanced Course selected with advisor: 3 credits
• Advanced Course offered by LGS in related field: 3 credits
• Thesis Research and writing: 3 credits

Spring - 15 credits total

• Presentation Skills for Law Academics: 2 credits
• Scholarly Paper Seminar: 3 credits
• Scholarly Paper Seminar: 3 credits
• Advanced Course selected with advisor: 3 credits
• Thesis Research and writing: 4 credits