Law, JSD
for the Doctor of the Science of Law
The Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) degree provides students who primarily intend to pursue an academic career an opportunity for extended study, research, and scholarly writing. Those admitted to the program must have demonstrated analytic and research ability, possess outstanding academic credentials, and have completed the LL.M. or other law degree from the University of Illinois or other accredited American law school. In exceptional cases, consideration will be given to applicants who have completed programs of study in common law countries. All candidates must provide evidence of excellent reading and writing skills in English. The J.S.D. program normally takes a minimum of three years. Two years must be completed in residence at the College of Law and must include two semesters of course work. J.S.D. candidates are assigned a primary faculty advisor with expertise in the student's research area and an additional three faculty members, who form the student's doctoral committee. Each student must pass a qualifying examination demonstrating general proficiency in the student’s field of study and a preliminary examination on the research proposal. The student's faculty committee then will assess the student's thesis research and writing progress, make recommendations, and conduct an oral examination on the final draft of the dissertation. The final dissertation will then be completed and deposited with the Graduate College.
Admission
The Graduate College admission requirements and English language proficiency requirements apply. In addition for the J.S.D. program, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement is 95 internet-based. Students are not required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students are admitted on an individual basis according to a review of their prior accomplishments with an emphasis on academic achievement. Admission is generally made for the fall semester only.
Financial Aid
Applicants to the College of Law graduate programs are welcome to apply for scholarship assistance. Scholarships typically are awarded to applicants with a combination of excellent academic and professional credentials and proven financial need. Awards usually provide part of tuition and do not cover living expenses. There are always more qualified applicants than there are funds available. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to explore alternative sources of funding.
for the Doctor of the Science of Law
For additional details and requirements refer to the College of Law's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 599 | Thesis Research | 0-16 per semester |
| Total Hours | 96 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| A J.D. or LL.M. is required for admission | |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Hours of residence credit | 64 |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
for the Doctor of the Science of Law
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of American substantive and procedural law. This requires:
- The foundational rules governing liability for civil and criminal wrongdoing.
- The foundational rules that regulate the transaction of business among individuals and the ownership of property.
- The constitutional rules that shape the American legal system.
- The procedural rules that govern court adjudication.
- Several advanced areas of substantive or procedural law or both.
- Use legal reasoning and legal analysis. This requires:
- The ability to identify, formulate, and apply legal rules.
- The ability to read and analyze judicial opinions.
- The ability to parse and interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, and other similar legal texts.
- The ability to construct legal arguments and evaluate critically one’s own and others’ legal arguments.
- The ability to identify and evaluate the practical consequences of various legal rules and to formulate policy arguments for and against those rules.
- Develop practical legal skills. This requires:
- The ability to write clearly and effectively in a wide range of legal contexts and for various audiences, such as courts, clients, opposing counsel and academics.
- The ability to articulate one’s thoughts verbally in a clear and effective manner.
- Knowledge of and ability to use tools of legal research.
- The ability to identify and gather factual information relevant to the application of legal rules.
- The ability to work collaboratively with others, including others with opposing interests.
- Conduct themselves professionally and in keeping with the highest standards of civic virtue. This requires:
- Knowledge and appreciation of the ethical rules governing legal practice and/or academic research.
- The ability to learn and grow professionally through self-reflection and continuing education.
- An understanding of the lawyer’s distinctive role in society and of the lawyer’s concomitant responsibility to contribute to society through public service and pro bono representation.
- The ability to understand and be understood across various social, economic, cultural, political, national, racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Produce a substantial piece of original academic research. This requires:
- Mastery of literature in a particular area.
- Mastery of the sub-field in which a thesis will be written.
- Acquisition of expertise in the subject area of one’s thesis.
Graduate Degree Programs in the College of Law
for the Doctor of the Science of Law
College of Law
Dean of the College: Jamelle Sharpe
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs: Margareth Etienne
Correspondence and Admission Information: Christine Renshaw, Office of Graduate and International Programs
College of Law website
College of Law faculty
244 Law Building, 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-6066
Law email