Doctor of Science of Law

The Doctor of Science of Law degree is intended for students who want to become legal scholars and to pursue original investigations into the function, administration, history, and progress of law. The minimum residence requirement is two full terms, the program normally requires at least three to four terms. Candidates ordinarily concentrate on one legal field and do a substantial amount of work in at least one other field. In the first year, doctoral students are required to take the Cornell Graduate Colloquium, which focuses on effective research design and provides students with a solid methodological base for their research. Students are then actively encouraged to take graduate-level methodological courses in adjacent disciplines, such as history, political science, anthropology, economics, international relations, sociology, and the like. As a result, Cornell J.S.D. students are uniquely prepared to perform high-level academic work.

Applications to the J.S.D. program are welcomed from applicants who have completed LL.M.-level work. Except in unusual circumstances, however, students are admitted to the J.S.D. program only after earning an LL.M. degree at Cornell Law School, in which they must have received all honor and high honor grades.
R'sum/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 (approximately 750 words) is an essential part of the application. 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. Please include your full name on the top of each page of the statement of interest.
Research proposal: A detailed and footnoted research proposal of no more than 3,000 words.
Transcripts/degree certifications: Complete official transcripts of all previous college, university, and graduate/professional school study, including work done at Cornell. All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service and utilize both the Document Assembly and International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Services.
Letters of recommendation: The committee requires two letters of recommendation but will review a maximum of four letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted from faculty members or employers acquainted with your work in the major area of study. If youve graduated from school several years ago (two years of more), we would expect you to ask a current or recent employer who 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.
Demonstration of English proficiency: 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.
TOEFL iBT - 77 (Writing 20, Listening 15, Reading 20, Speaking 22)
IELTS - 7.0 or higher