SJD stands for Doctor of Juridical Science, the highest available law degree in the American educational system. Students in an SJD program pursue research on a topic of their choice, which ultimately culminates in a dissertation; thus, the SJD is in some ways a PhD in law.

Admission to an SJD program typically requires a JD (the regular law degree) and an LLM. These programs are highly competitive--unlike most PhD programs, SJD programs generally accept only one or two students per year. The degree requires a minimum of two years, although part-time students may take longer; after completing the program, most graduates go on to teach and/or pursue further research.

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