Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

The SJD program offers a small number of distinguished students who have already earned a law degree the opportunity to focus on a specific area of research and writing.

Program Information

The SJD is designed to be a three-year degree program (with a one-academic-year residency requirement). The first year will focus on the development of a final dissertation proposal to be subject to the approval of a Faculty Advisor before the student may progress to the writing stage of the program. The second and third years of the program, students will focus on the writing of the dissertation. The student may audit classes and will be encouraged to participate in the intellectual life of Seattle University.

Application Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the SJD program, candidates must hold a JD or an LLM degree. Please complete this admissions application and submit to SJD@seattleu.edu along with the following materials:

• Resume or C.V.
• Personal statement.
• A substantive research proposal on your dissertation topic.
• Copy of the applicant's LLM thesis OR at least one paper/article in English.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation.

The following items must be sent directly to the Seattle University School of Law prior to enrollment

• Official Transcripts (a certified translation must be attached if the transcript is not in English).
• Official TOEFL score from ETC. (waived if first language or primary language of instruction was English).

SJD Webinar

To view an informational webinar about the SJD program featuring Professor Russell Powell, Director of the SJD Program, see SJD Webinar on Zoom.