دكتور في القانون

J.D. students already hold an undergraduate degree in any subject. For example, our students have prior degrees in a broad range of fields, such as engineering, medicine, international relations, economics, literature, history, and law. Unlike Undergraduate law degrees, the J.D. builds on a student’s prior knowledge and experience, allowing them to specialize in law aligned with their previous education or explore a completely new legal direction. This integration ensures that graduates are highly skilled and competitive in the global legal market.

The J.D. curriculum aligns with the international standards and was introduced in partnership with Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. It combines rigorous legal training with complementary skills in research, writing, and advocacy, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed for diverse legal and professional roles.

We cover core substantive legal principles that are expected in a world-class law faculty. In addition, Our J.D. graduates develop:

• Advanced legal knowledge, especially in areas relevant to Qatar, such as healthcare, sports, construction and infrastructure, culture and heritage, dispute resolution, and international law. Each subject has global relevance as well.
• A comparative perspective, through instruction in common, civil, and Qatari law, including Sharia and traditions.
• Rigorous, focused research and writing expertise, supported by our small class sizes, which enable extensive individual feedback to students.
• Advocacy skills, as students are trained to present arguments in a methodical yet persuasive manner.
• Analytical skills, as students are assessed based on their problem-solving ability and the recognition that a variety of disciplines shape legal norms.

Our graduates pursue a variety of career paths including the public sector, private corporations, law firms, international organizations, and academia.

Yes. Our Qatari graduates who have completed a six-week certificate course have gone on to become licensed in Qatar. Non-Qatari graduates who have earned an LL.M. from a U.S. law school have been licensed in New York. Graduates are also pursuing licensing in Canada and Australia.

The J.D. degree is a professional doctorate. While students are not required to write a dissertation, many J.D. courses require them to complete a research paper. The American Bar Association (ABA), which accredits U.S. law schools has recognized the J.D. as equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) for educational employment purposes. While a Ph.D. typically requires 60 post-baccalaureate semester hours and a dissertation, the J.D. requires 84–90 semester hours of post-baccalaureate study.

The S.J.D. is the highest research degree in law. The successful S.J.D. graduate is required to write a dissertation of publishable quality and defend the dissertation before an examination committee.

Yes, J.D. graduates are well-prepared to undertake further legal studies in the United States or Europe. Our J.D. graduates have pursued LL.M. degrees at prestigious institutions such as:

• Columbia University School of Law
• Duke University School of Law
• Georgetown University Law Center
• Harvard Law School
• New York University School of Law
• The Graduate Institute, Geneva
• University of Toronto Faculty of Law