J.S.D. candidates play an active role at Cardozo and often serve as teaching and research assistants, student organizers, and consultants. The J.S.D. program hosts a vibrant community of academics from around the world, and many of its graduates have gone on to teaching and administrative positions at leading universities in the United States and other countries.

Candidates must hold an advanced law degree (e.g. LL.M.) from a U.S. faculty or its foreign equivalent. To get started, please complete the online admissions application linked below. 

*Candidates should select a faculty member as an advisor prior to the submission of their J.S.D. application. 

J.S.D. Application

Résumé/C.V.

All applicants are required to submit a resume or C.V. detailing any applicable work history, educational achievements, community, and/or service work.

Statement of Interest

A detailed personal statement of interest (2 pages) is required. The statement should include a discussion of your purpose in obtaining the degree, as well as an explanation of your research and study interests in relation to your previous education and professional goals.

Research Proposal

A detailed and footnoted research proposal of no more than 3,000 words (or 10 pages max).

Transcripts/Degree Certifications

Original official transcripts (translated in English) of all previous college, university, and graduate/professional school study.  

Letters of Recommendation

The committee requires two letters of recommendation but will review a maximum of three letters if submitted. Letters of recommendation must be submitted from faculty members or employers acquainted with your work in the major area of study. If an employer is writing the recommendation, they can comment on your work ethic and character.  The committee is primarily interested in the recommender’s judgment about your academic abilities and professional capabilities.

TOEFL/ IELTS

Proficiency in English is required for admission and your level of proficiency, as demonstrated by all aspects of the application, is a significant factor in our decision-making process. International applicants must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score.

Admission to the J.S.D. program is competitive.  Out of an average of 40 applicants, only 1 to 2 J.S.D. students are admitted per year. Admission is based on a holistic review of the entire application. Publications authored or co-authored, and relevant work experience is important.

In order to graduate from Cardozo with a Doctor of the Science of Law, a student must:

• Spend a minimum of the first two semesters in residence at the Cardozo School of Law; and
• Complete the 1-credit J.S.D. colloquium, a course designed to provide faculty and peer review and discussion of student research, and teach a basic set of common research techniques; and
• Complete 6 additional credits of law school coursework in consultation with the faculty supervisor; and
• Complete and defend a J.S.D. dissertation. Students working on their dissertations must register for a corresponding dissertation course each semester until they pass their oral defense. Students must also submit a dissertation to the University library for publishing to the ProQuest database.

The core of the J.S.D. is an advanced dissertation conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The dissertation must be deemed by the J.S.D. student’s Dissertation Committee to make a significant contribution to legal academic scholarship. Though the specific requirements will be determined by each committee, in general this will consist of a monograph that makes an original contribution to legal scholarship, demonstrates a high level of research skills, and could be published in whole or part either as a book or a series of law review articles. 

Students will be required to convene their Dissertation Committee for an oral defense of the dissertation after the written product is approved by the Committee. 

J.S.D. students will be required to submit a formatted dissertation upon passing their oral defense examination. 

J.S.D. coursework to support the dissertation research will be chosen on an individual basis in consultation with faculty advisors. 

PLEASE NOTE: Under the guidance of the Office of Graduate & International Programs, candidates should select a faculty member as an advisor prior to submission of the J.S.D. application. 

First-Year Curriculum Candidates will be in residence and participate in the one (1) credit J.S.D. Colloquium and must complete six (6) additional course credits in consultation with the faculty advisors. In rare circumstances, a candidate may complete more than six (6) course credits, but only with written permission from the Associate Dean of Graduate & International Programs. Additionally, candidates will commence research and a draft outline of the required dissertations with faculty advisors. 

Second-Year Curriculum During the second year, candidates begin drafting the dissertations and consult with faculty advisors and J.S.D. Committee members. 

Third-Year Curriculum Candidates edit and finalize the dissertations and engage in the oral defense of the dissertations.