Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) in Carlisle United States | Pennsylvania State University

Dickinson Law provides a three-year S.J.D. program with limited residency, enabling students to conduct supervised research culminating in an original dissertation that advances legal scholarship.

Residency Requirement. S.J.D. candidates must complete one academic year (two semesters) in residence at Dickinson Law, ideally in their first year. During this period, students take two courses: Research Methods (2 credits) and Research Colloquium (2 credits). Research Methods covers methodological approaches to legal scholarship, while the Research Colloquium facilitates public discourse on students' proposed projects. With permission, candidates may enroll in additional Dickinson Law courses, though extra tuition and fees may be required.

Advancing to Candidacy. To achieve candidacy, S.J.D. students must successfully defend their research proposal before a Candidacy Committee, typically at the end of their first year. While candidates are encouraged to maintain residency, exceptions may be made for research needs. To retain candidacy, students must submit yearly progress reports demonstrating satisfactory advancement.

Dissertation Defense. The program should be completed within two years after fulfilling residency requirements and achieving candidacy. When ready, a faculty advisor will recommend scheduling a dissertation defense before an appointed Committee of Examiners. After successfully defending and submitting the final dissertation to Penn State Dickinson Law, students will be awarded the S.J.D. degree.