SJD Admissions | School of Law | Case Western Reserve University

SJD Admissions

Applying to earn a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) for students educated in countries outside the U.S. in your preferred field of law may feel like a daunting task, but the team at Case Western Reserve University School of Law is here to help.

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Application Requirements

To apply to the SJD program for internationally educated students, you must hold a Master of Laws (LLM) degree. If your LLM is from a civil law country and you’re admitted to Case Western Reserve University School of Law, you’ll be required to complete extra classes at the start of your SJD studies.

In the event you’re accepted, the Office of Global Legal Studies will match you with law faculty who have similar research interests and are available for mentorship. There is no need to contact law professors, as you’ll be assigned a faculty mentor at the start of your first semester.

Application Deadlines

Enrollment of SJD students is limited, and decisions are made on a rolling basis in order of their receipt and completion. We encourage you to submit your application early in order to have the best chance of admission.

Fall semester deadline: April 1
Spring semester deadline: Oct. 15

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Required Documents

To apply to the SJD program for internationally educated students, you must provide:

Completed application form and personal statement
Official copy of transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended, with translation into English were applicable
Proof of English language proficiency
An original thesis proposal of no more than 25 pages explaining why your topic merits the type and depth of research that will result in production of a monograph-length thesis (focus on the existing unresolved legal issues)
A complete bibliography of the literature in the applicable field that you have already consulted in the development of your thesis proposal
Two letters of recommendation

All applications should be submitted online through our application portal.

Available Funding

If you’re a self-funded SJD student, you’ll be eligible for significant scholarships starting in your second year. After four semesters, you'll pay on a per-credit basis. Contact llm-sjd@case.edu for more information.

Contact Us

The Office of Global Legal Studies
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
11075 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
216.368.5579 | law-sjd@case.edu