Earn an SJD degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. As one of the oldest universities in California and the first evening law school for working professionals in the Western U.S., Golden Gate University is a top global destination for the prestigious terminal legal degree.

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120+ Years

Program Duration

36 Months

Start Date

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for 5,000 students

70% Scholarship

Accreditations and Associations

Overview

Key Highlights

Designed for working professionals

GGU alumni status

Student support is available 24*7, you can reach out to us via the learn portal.

WES recognized

Live & interactive faculty, alumni, and industry-specific sessions

70% scholarship available for 5,000 students

Earn the same U.S. Degree as awarded On-Campus

Add a ‘Dr’ to your name to establish credibility in the field of law.

#1 Country for Higher Education
Get a degree from the U.S., ranked #1 among countries with the best educational systems*. Earn the same U.S. Degree we award on campus!

*Source: World Population Review, 2022

Why is the WES Equivalency Important?

Golden Gate University Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) receives Global Acceptance.

The GGU Doctor of Juridical Science(SJD) is a globally acknowledged and recognized program which is validated by the doctorate equivalency awarded by WES.

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Whether it is about excelling in your current job or seeking overseas opportunities, GGU Doctor of Juridical Science(SJD) shall catapult you to higher orbits across continents.
Go beyond your job - Consult For Businesses | Author Books | Be A Guest Lecturer | Speak At Conferences - Anywhere across the globe!

Who is this Program for

Candidates who are passionate about learning in-depth regardview more

Minimum Eligibility

Undergraduate degree in law (LLB/JD) or equivalent degree inview more

What is the difference between Doctor of Juridical Science(SJD) & PhD in Law?

The Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD or alternatively known as SJD) is the Law School’s most advanced law degree, and is considered a doctorate equivalent to a Ph.D. There is no difference between the two degrees, except for a nomenclature preference across universities from various geographies.

However, in certain universities, there has been a distinction made between the two. For example, Yale School of Law mentions that a JSD program allows students to explore interdisciplinary aspects which intertwine with law such as social sciences or humanities whereas PhD in Law offers emerging scholars an opportunity to contribute to the development of law as an academic field.

Syllabus

Best-in-class content by leading faculty and industry leaders in the form of videos, cases, and projects.

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About the Program

WASC Accreditation & WES Recognition

GGU has been accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1959 and it is WES recognized. WASC accredits universities in California and Hawaii, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, and others. WSCUC is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Learn from Scholar Practitioners

GGU instructors are scholar practitioners with decades of senior level work experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, including major Silicon Valley and Fortune 500 companies.

Earn the same U.S. Degree Golden Gate University awards on-campus

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Students who successfully complete the program and coursework are eligible to receive the degree from Golden Gate University's School of Law.

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Golden Gate University School of Law is an American law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), the California State Bar, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). GGU Law is a member in good standing of the Association of American Law Schools.

Disclaimer

*This image is a sample degree from Golden Gate University, awarded to eligible students upon successful completion of the program. Please contact the admissions team to learn more.

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Instructors

Benedetta Faedi Duramy

Professor of Law and SJD- Program director

Professor of Law at Golden Gate University. She has completed her LLB from University of Rome La Sapienza, Summa cum Laude; LLM from London School of Economics and Political Sciences and JSD, Stanford Law School. She also has an MA, Political Science from University of Florence.

Delaram Farzaneh

Co-director of LLM in International Business and Finance Law

Dr. Farzaneh is the Director of International Students, Programs, and Partnerships at Golden Gate University School of Law. She is a human rights scholar and lawyer from Iran. She is the author of the book Judgeships in Iran - Step Down, You are a Woman - A Legal Analysis of International Human Rights.

Christian Nwachukwu Okeke

Director of the LLM and SJD International Legal Studies Programs

Christian Nwachukwu Okeke is a Professor of Law and also the Director of the S.J.D in International Legal Studies program. He received his LL.M (Magna Cum Laude) from Kiev State University in Republic of Ukraine, and Ph.D. in Law from Free University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

Laura A. Cisneros

Faculty Director, Honors Lawyering Program

Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship. She teaches Constitutional Law and Constitutional Criminal Procedure. Professor Cisneros earned her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, her LL.M from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Michael Daw

Associate Dean and Director, Law Library

Professor of Law and Director of the Golden Gate University School of the Law Library. He earned his MLIS from San José State University, J.D. from Valparaiso University, and B.A. in History and Political Science from Valparaiso University.

Mohamed Nasralla

Assistant Director, Public Services, Adjunct Professor

Professor of Law and the Associate Director of the Law Library at Golden Gate University School of Law. He received his B.A. in History and B.S. in International Relations from Chico State University; his J.D. and LL.M. in International Law from Golden Gate University School of Law. He is a member of California State Bar.

William Gallagher

Director, IP Law Program & IP Law Center

Professor of Law and Director of the IP Law Center at the Golden Gate University School of Law. Professor Gallagher received his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law; his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program); his M.A. from the University of Chicago; and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Linda Elizabeth Coco

Professor

Professor of Law at Golden Gate University School of Law & Director of the Master of Law Studies and the B.A. in Law. She received her J.D. from University of Maryland School of Law, and her Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley in Legal Anthropology. She is a member of the California, Washington D.C. and Supreme Court Bar Associations.

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User Review

Dr. Aileen Huang, SJD 2014

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner & Professor of Practice at Golden Gate University School of Law

I benefited tremendously from GGU’s Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). I was always fascinated with the application of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) in international commercial cases and wanted to develop my career in that field. The S.J.D. program at GGU not only empowered me to find my academic niche in the ADR field but also positioned me well for a competitive job market and helped me to build a supportive network of colleagues. After graduation, I began to teach the International Commercial Arbitration course at GGU. Meanwhile, I had opportunities to engage in international arbitration activities and arbitration and mediation services in San Francisco municipal affairs. I highly recommend the S.J.D. in International Legal Studies program. It is a very rewarding and inclusive program tailored to individual needs. It provides a grounding in the broad range of research and other skills that are highly transferrable to any field or profession.

Dr. Charles J. Naegele, SJD 2008

Lawyer and Author

In 2005, I felt I needed to enhance my international credentials. The S.J.D. program at Golden Gate University School of Law was the perfect answer and more than fulfilled my expectations! I had worked for years as a lawyer with a J.D. degree before earning my LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees at GGU. The American Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree is the equivalent of an LL.B., not an internationally recognized doctorate degree. I wanted to put “Dr.” before my name to show the world that I had special talent and intellect. Now, thanks to the S.J.D. from GGU, during my world travels, and especially on frequent trips to India, clients and colleagues pay me much more respect. My S.J.D. from GGU also motivated me to publish a book in India. My book on Ancient India was a success and was praised by clients and friends worldwide.

Dr. Remigius Chibueze, SJD - 2006

Professor of Practice at Golden Gate University School of Law

The Doctor of Juridical Sciences (S.J.D.) at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, USA offers students the opportunity to acquire legal scholarship and teaching skills. The program is designed to accommodate students from all over the world. The dedicated and experienced faculty and staff associated with the S.J.D. program at GGU are motivated to support the students. The knowledge, skills, experiences, and support from the faculty and staff were beneficial in my successful program completion. They genuinely want you to succeed both in the program and future career. After completing of my program, I joined GGU as an adjunct faculty in 2006, which provided me the opportunity to teach and mentor students in the SJD program. The S.J.D. program has produced over 120 graduates from various continents and countries. Many program graduates have gone on to be successful members of the judiciary, universities, legal practice, government institutions, and other areas of the legal profession across the globe.

Dr. Zakia Afrin, SJD-2007

Consultant and Human Rights Advocate

I enrolled as an SJD student at Golden Gate University School of Law (GGU) during the very early stage of the program. I was blessed with supervision from the renowned international law scholars Dr. Professor Sompong Sucharitkul, the namesake of the GGU Center for Advanced International Legal Studies, and Dr. Professor Christian Okeke, who currently leads this program. The education prepared me to embark on the professional journey I always wanted to pursue and encouraged me to stay connected with academia. Today, I work with an SF Bay Area nonprofit organization as the Director of Survivor advocacy, managing multiple programs that help individuals experience gender-based violence. I also teach International Law Courses, advise SJD students and regularly publish in academic and popular outlets on international law topics. I am grateful for the GGU S.J.D. program for opening my mind to possibilities.

The Doctor of Juridical Science(SJD) program is structured in a thoughtful manner with mentoring and supervision of GGU Faculty.

Residency: The first year of the program is divided into two semesters. The first semester encapsulates the live and recorded sessions to build a foundation for the program. The second semester is when the doctoral candidate drafts and submits the first chapter of the dissertation.
Oral examination: This takes place post the first year of the program. The candidate shall defend the first chapter of the thesis and is required to pass the examination to move ahead.
Candidacy: From the second year and beyond, the doctoral candidate focuses on writing the rest of the chapters. During this phase, the doctoral candidate is expected to consult the committee, interact with the supervisors so that each milestone is fulfilled.

Syllabus

Recommended: 15+ learning content hours per week + 10-12 library & research hours per week

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20+

Live Sessions

20+

Hours Recorded Content

Credits

First Year- SJD Residency (2 Semesters)

First semester - Basics of Legal Research, Tools & Methodology - Coverage with recorded and live sessions
Second semester - Learners will select the topic of their dissertation, fine-tune their subject matter, draft and submit the first chapter of their dissertation and prepare for their first oral examination.

Oral Examination

A 3-member committee will supervise the students, evaluate the written material of the first chapter and give a go-ahead for the oral examination. This comes after the second semester and at the end of the first year.
This first oral examination would be where the learners have decided on a clear topic and have written the first chapter introducing their dissertation.
The evaluation of the learner shall be based on the clarity of the topic selected(along with the resources used) and the ability of the student to conduct independent research.
The learner shall be taken into the next phase of the program once they pass the oral examination.

Second Year- SJD Candidacy

For the next 2 years, the learners will individually work on the subsequent chapters in the second phase.
The learners can reach out to their supervisor at any point in time for guidance throughout this phase. It is recommended that learners connect with the supervisors at least once a month. The aim is to have 3 committee members
Live sessions shall be conducted during the first semester and subsequently a few master classes during the second semester
The ideal timeline for submitting the draft would be within 2 years after reaching the candidacy stage followed by dissertation defense.

SJD Residency- First semester

Topics Covered

Basics of Legal Research, Tools & Methodology - Coverage with recorded and live sessions

Overview: the Process and Purpose of Writing a Doctoral DissertationIntroduction to Legal Scholarship and MethodsLegal Research Methodology: Identification and Explanation of Reliable SourcesLegal Research Basics: Tools and StrategiesHow to Work With Your Dissertation Committee MembersResearching International and Comparative LawEthical Use of Research MaterialsChoice of Dissertation TopicTopic ChoiceDissertation DevelopmentOutline and Writing ProcessDissertation FormatApproach to Comparative Legal AnalysisResearching and Writing about IP law Researching and Writing about International Human RightsResearching and Writing about Law and AnthropologyResearching and Writing about Legal HistoryCompleting the SJD program at GGUResearching and Writing on an Interdisciplinary TopicRevising and Polishing the DissertationDissertation Defense Preparation

Note:

The curriculum and credits are a virtue of University's guidelines while meeting international standards and quality.

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Student support is available 24*7, you can reach out to us via the learn portal.

Doubt Resolution

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Regular live sessions by experts to clarify concept-related doubts.

Admission Process

There are 5 simple steps in the Admission Process which is detailed below:

Step 1

Complete the Application

On the upGrad platform include your education, work experience and any other relevant material

Step 2

Apply for the Scholarship Scheme

Submit your SOP, resume and 3 references at: scholarships@goldengateuniversity.com

Step 3

Get Shortlisted & Receive Offer Letter

Application will be reviewed, an offer letter upon meeting relevant criteria will be released

Step 4

Block Your Seat

Block your seat by paying a deposit amount

Step 5

Document Submission

All relevant documents to be submitted

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Program Fees: USD 65,800

($1,175 cost per credit for 56 credits)*

*70% Scholarships for 5,000 Admitted Students .

Empowering the students of tomorrow

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Frequently Asked Questions

Course Eligibility

Who is this program for?

Candidates who are passionate about learning in-depth regarding subjects in Law and wish to establish credibility for transition into senior legal roles or move into academia.

What is the minimum eligibility for this program?

Undergraduate degree in law (LLB/JD) or equivalent degree in Law. A masters' degree in law is preferable however, not compulsory.

How do I become eligible for the scholarship? What is the application process?

The scholarship is rolled out based on the academic and professional achievements. Once the application form is submitted with these details, the admission committee reviews the same. If you are admitted into the program, the scholarship that you are eligible for will be mentioned on the offer letter. Please note that admission is provisional until successful verification of supporting documents and completing the payment formalities.

Refund Policy/Financials

What is the refund policy for this program?

Refund Policy:

1. You can claim a refund for the amount paid towards the Program at any time, before the Program Start Date, by visiting www.upgrad.com and submitting your refund form via the "My Application" section under your profile. You can request your Admissions Counsellor to help you in applying and withdrawing for a refund by sending them an email with reasons listed. For post program refund please connect with your Admissions Counselor to understand the policy. This is applicable even for those students who could not complete their payment, and could not be enrolled in the batch opted for. However, the student can avail pre-deferral as per the policy defined below for the same.

2. Student must pay the full fee within seven (7) days of payment of the deposit amount or Batch Start Date, whichever is earlier; otherwise, the admission letter will be rescinded.

3. Request for refund as per point no. 1 of the refund policy must be sent via email in the prescribed refund request form. The refund will be processed within 30 working days of submitting the duly signed refund form, after being duly approved by the Academic Committee.

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upGrad does not grant credit; credits are granted, accepted or transferred at the sole discretion of an educational institution. upGrad does not make any representations regarding the recognition or equivalence of the credits or credentials awarded, unless otherwise expressly stated. If you intend to pursue a post graduate or doctorate degree upon completion of this course or apply for employment which requires specific credits, we advise you to enquire further regarding the suitability of this degree for your academic and/or professional requirements before enrolling.