J.S.D.
An abbreviation for Doctor of Juridical Science, a degree awarded to highly qualified individuals who have successfully completed a prescribed course of advanced study in law after having earned J.D. and LL.M. degrees.
The standards for admission to J.S.D. programs are stringent. Although specific academic
requirements for acceptance into a J.S.D. program vary from one law school to another, ordinarily applicants must hold J.D. and LL.M.
degrees. They must have completed their
courses of study with a certain minimum grade
average in order to qualify for this advanced
program.
Once accepted, each student generally has a
full-time faculty member who acts as research
advisor concerning the preparation of the stu-
dent’s thesis, which is a requirement for obtain-
ing the J.S.D. degree. It is often mandatory that
all work required for a J.S.D. degree must be
completed within five years of the commence-
ment of the student’s program of study.
