International SJD Admissions

Two CWRU Law SJD students at graduation

Earn a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in your area of expertise

Interested in earning your Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)? This program is designed to allow you to complete the highest research degree in law within a specialized field of study of your choice. 

Application and Program Details

Only applicants with Master of Laws (LLM) degrees will be considered for SJD admission. Admitted SJD students with LLM degrees from civil law countries would be required to complete extra classes at the start of their SJD studies.

Enrollment of SJD students is limited. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and we encourage students to apply early in order to have the best chance of admission. Students applying for the Fall semester should submit their applications and thesis proposals no later than April 1. Students applying for the Spring semester should submit their application materials by Oct. 15.  

The Office of Global Legal Studies will match SJD students with law faculty who have similar research interests and who are available to mentor SJD students. There is no need for SJD applicants to contact law professors. Admitted SJD students are assigned a faculty mentor at the start of their first semester.