Winston-Salem,
NC,
United States
Type
Private
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
Doctor of Juridical Science in Winston Salem United States | Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
|
Winston Salem United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
41,372
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
24 months
The SJD program is an exclusive, research-focused degree that enables candidates to undertake scholarly work aimed at creating a dissertation worthy of publication, making an original contribution to their chosen legal field. This opportunity is open to international LLM graduates seeking academic or prestigious professional roles outside the United States.
The Scientiae Juridicae Doctor (S.J.D.) is tailored for legal scholars and educators, primarily serving international lawyers pursuing academic careers or high-level government positions in their home nations. Rather than following a structured curriculum, the S.J.D. emphasizes independent research culminating in a dissertation that makes novel contributions to its legal specialty.
Wake Forest University's S.J.D. program maintains rigorous admission standards. As the law school's most advanced postgraduate degree, the Doctor of Juridical Science assigns each candidate a primary faculty advisor specializing in their research topic, along with two additional professors forming their doctoral committee. This committee monitors progress, provides guidance, and administers an oral defense of the dissertation. Beyond this core group, other law faculty members typically offer consultation and support throughout the research process.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 7.0
Qualification Requirements
To be eligible for admission, an SJD applicant must
Hold a first degree in law (LL.B.) or equivalent from a foreign institution (non-U.S.)
Hold a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Wake Forest University School of Law or another ABA-accredited law school
Have outstanding academic credentials
Demonstrate exceptional promise as a legal scholar through submission of prior written work (such as an LL.M. thesis) of high quality
Possess exceptional English language proficiency
Present an original and detailed doctoral dissertation proposal
Resume
Your resume should list all universities you have attended, academic publications, and relevant extracurricular activities. Provide information about any honors, awards, and scholarships you may have received. You should also list any law or business-related professional experience you have, by providing the dates of employment, your employer, and the position you held.
Personal Statement
In English, please explain your reasons for pursuing an S.J.D. degree, your intellectual goals in pursuing doctoral studies, and how you plan to use your graduate degree for your short and long-term career plans. If there is a faculty member with whom you are particularly interested in working with because of their area of expertise or research, please identify the individual and explain the reasons for your interest in this professor. Indicate all of your previous international experience, including your experiences in your LL.M. Program, and any particular interest you have in the Wake Forest School of Law S.J.D. Program.
Official Transcripts
You must submit transcripts from each university or college that you have attended. Transcripts must be in the language of the institution, as well as in English, and should explain the University's grading system.
Proof of English Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. The following tests are an accepted way to provide proof.
TOEFL: Applicants must earn a minimum paper-based score of 600 or an internet-based score of 100 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The institution code for the TOEFL is C261.
IELTS: A score of 7.0 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted.
Hold a first degree in law (LL.B.) or equivalent from a foreign institution (non-U.S.)
Hold a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Wake Forest University School of Law or another ABA-accredited law school
Have outstanding academic credentials
Demonstrate exceptional promise as a legal scholar through submission of prior written work (such as an LL.M. thesis) of high quality
Possess exceptional English language proficiency
Present an original and detailed doctoral dissertation proposal
Resume
Your resume should list all universities you have attended, academic publications, and relevant extracurricular activities. Provide information about any honors, awards, and scholarships you may have received. You should also list any law or business-related professional experience you have, by providing the dates of employment, your employer, and the position you held.
Personal Statement
In English, please explain your reasons for pursuing an S.J.D. degree, your intellectual goals in pursuing doctoral studies, and how you plan to use your graduate degree for your short and long-term career plans. If there is a faculty member with whom you are particularly interested in working with because of their area of expertise or research, please identify the individual and explain the reasons for your interest in this professor. Indicate all of your previous international experience, including your experiences in your LL.M. Program, and any particular interest you have in the Wake Forest School of Law S.J.D. Program.
Official Transcripts
You must submit transcripts from each university or college that you have attended. Transcripts must be in the language of the institution, as well as in English, and should explain the University's grading system.
Proof of English Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. The following tests are an accepted way to provide proof.
TOEFL: Applicants must earn a minimum paper-based score of 600 or an internet-based score of 100 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The institution code for the TOEFL is C261.
IELTS: A score of 7.0 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted.
Tuition
USD
41,372