Doctor of Juridical Science in International and Comparative Law

As the legal profession becomes more globally focused, academic research is a powerful and compelling instrument for forging social change and transforming how justice and the rule of law can be realized throughout the world. Comprehensive study in international and comparative law allows scholars to make original and substantial contributions to mitigating and solving critical issues that permeate all societies. The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the highest degree in law. Loyola University Chicago School of Law's SJD Program in International and Comparative Law is a highly selective postgraduate program primarily for students who have graduated from the School of Law's current LLM degree programs. The SJD is designed for students aspiring to be legal academics who wish to pursue sustained independent study, research, and writing. Students will conduct academic research in a particular area of international and comparative law and complete a doctoral dissertation. SJD candidates work under the supervision and guidance of School of Law faculty members, the Advisory Committee, and the SJD Committee.

Official Transcript
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request transcripts, we have them on record.
Two Letters of Reccommendation
If you supply your recommender's email address on the online application form, we will send a personalized link by which to upload the letter. We recommend you ask your recommender to write the letter of support prior to starting the application.
Statement of Purpose
In a statement no longer than two pages, explain your motivation for continuing your education and your interest in your specific area of law and research. In your statement, you must request, by name, your dissertation supervisor and an alternative advisor.
Study Abstract
The 2,500-3,000 word abstract should outline your study topic (the specific core legal field of study and one or two corollary fields), theoretical/research methods, significance of the study to legal scholarship, list of anticipated literature, a description of how the corollary fields will prepare for the completion of the study, and the suggestion of the two other members of the committee who should represent the corollary field(s).
Resume
A current resume or curriculum vitae can be uploaded through the online application.
Research Proposal
The research proposal is by invitation only and is required for the committee to make a final decision on admission. The research proposal should be no longer than 20 pages, detailing the anticipated dissertation topic and its significance to legal scholarship, summarizing related research already undertaken and a list of sources, and outlining of the goals and fields of the research and the anticipated methods to be used in pursuit of the SJD.
Transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation is required of all applicants who attended and received their degrees from any institution outside the U.S. The evaluation is not an English translation of the transcripts, but a separate document completed by a professional evaluation agency, which shows that the degree youve received or are pursuing outside the U.S. is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree or U.S. master's degree. This requirement is waived for applicants with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution. You are required to submit your official international education credentials (e.g. transcripts, mark sheets, degree certificates, graduation diplomas) and evaluation fee directly to any evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), or the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). You should request a General Evaluation with Grade Average. You should request your chosen evaluation agency to send the evaluation directly to Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management (GPEM) at gradapp@luc.edu, and that they send your transcripts along with your transcript evaluation. Transcripts received from these evaluators are considered official. Please note this is the preferred method to get your official transcripts to us.
The law school requires a minimum overall TOEFL iBT score of 95 with minimum scores of 24 in the writing and reading sections, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 7 with minimum scores of 7 in the writing and reading sections. The minimum test score for Duolingo is 125 and for the PTE it is 75.
Official transcripts should show a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In exceptional cases, applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 may be admitted.