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The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is the College of Law’s most advanced law degree. The program is one of the first fullfledged research-intensive doctorate degrees in the MENA region and one of the few of its kind outside of the United States. Dedicated to scholarship and teaching, the program aspires to create a vibrant community of legal scholars, who will assume teaching positions in universities and government positions in institutions in Qatar, the MENA region, and beyond. The S.J.D. degree is designed to facilitate the relationship with the real world through world-class, innovative seminars and courses that prepare students to apply legal knowledge in multiple convergent legal systems. Research production in the S.J.D. program, combined with its interdisciplinary nature, foster creative and problem-based approaches that can have societal or policy impact.
The key strengths of the S.J.D. program are its flexibility to accommodate students wishing to apply interdisciplinary research in a variety of areas, its focus on high-quality academic research, and its with all other existing College of Law degree programs.
Language
English
Program Duration
3.5 Years
Certification
Doctor of Juridical Science
The program focuses on research methodology and legal ethics in a globalized world. The S.J.D. degree provides students the freedom to apply highly analytical, interdisciplinary, and comparative research approaches that address important and relevant issues of the day.
- The S.J.D. should be completed in 3.5 years after commencement. In the first year, candidates have a reduced course load to enable them to develop the necessary skills and competencies to undertake doctoral research. Candidates are required to take a course on Advanced Research Methods in Law and a course on Advanced Global Legal Ethics. They may also be required to take additional research methods courses.
- S.J.D. candidates participate in the S.J.D. Colloquium, which provides them with fundamental knowledge of the practical and professional aspects of doctoral studies. In addition to receiving feedback on their doctoral research, students engage in meaningful and constructive scholarly exchanges about publishing, grant writing, and conference presentations, as well as career paths in academia and private, public, and international spheres.
- Dissertation
Students are required to complete a dissertation that makes a substantial and original contribution to legal scholarship. Publication of S.J.D. candidates’ work is a graduation requirement. - Residence
The minimum residence requirement for the S.J.D. program is four semesters of full-time supervised research at the College of Law.
Graduates of this program will be equipped to:
- Master theoretical and methodological aspects of law and legal scholarship.
- Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct original research and formulate reasoned arguments on their topic and related legal issues.
- Develop a dissertation of publishable quality that makes a substantial and original contribution to legal scholarship.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, as well as the ability to teach and explain the law.
- Demonstrate the ability to independently choose ethical courses of action in legal research and practice.
J.D. or LL.M. degree preferably from HBKU’s College of Law. Exceptional candidates from other universities may also be considered. Candidates with an LL.B. degree from a recognized university require the LL.M. degree, again preferably from the College of Law, or in exceptional cases from a recognized university. Candidates should have at least a 3.0 GPA (out of 4) in their previous law degree with a strong preference for candidates with a 3.3 GPA (out of 4).
Unless exempt, applicants are required to submit an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79 to demonstrate their proficiency in English. Please visit CL Admissions for more details on the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption, where this is an option.
Tuition Fees
| Program | Doctor of Juridical Science |
|---|---|
| Total Program Tuition Fees | QAR 150,000 |
| Total Program Credit Hours | 60 |
| Program Duration | 3.5 years |
The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is the College of Law’s most advanced law degree, offered by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). It is a research-intensive doctoral program, one of the first of its kind in the MENA region and among the few offered outside the United States. The S.J.D. is designed for aspiring legal scholars and professionals aiming to produce original, high-quality legal research with societal or policy impact, preparing them for academic, governmental, or international roles.
Unlike the J.D., which is a professional graduate-level law degree focusing on practical legal training, or the LL.M., which provides specialized legal knowledge over one year, the S.J.D. is a research-focused doctoral degree. It emphasizes advanced, interdisciplinary, and comparative legal scholarship, requiring candidates to produce a dissertation that makes a substantial and original contribution to legal scholarship. The S.J.D. builds on prior legal education (J.D. or LL.M.) and is tailored for those pursuing academic or high-level policy-oriented careers.
The S.J.D. program is designed to be completed in 3.5 years and includes:
- First Year: A reduced course load to develop research skills, including mandatory courses in Advanced Research Methods in Law and Advanced Global Legal Ethics. Additional research methods courses may be required.
- S.J.D. Colloquium: A platform for candidates to receive feedback on their research, engage in scholarly discussions, and learn about publishing, grant writing, conference presentations, and career paths.
- Dissertation: Candidates must complete a dissertation of publishable quality that makes an original contribution to legal scholarship.
- Publications: Publication of the candidate’s work is a graduation requirement.
- Residence: A minimum of four semesters of full-time supervised research at the College of Law.
The program’s flexibility allows students to pursue interdisciplinary research tailored to their interests, supported by world-class seminars and courses.
S.J.D. graduates develop:
- Mastery of theoretical and methodological aspects of law and legal scholarship.
- Ability to conduct independent, original research and formulate reasoned arguments.
- Expertise in producing publishable legal scholarship.
- Effective communication and teaching skills to explain complex legal concepts.
- Ethical decision-making in legal research and practice.
These skills prepare graduates for careers in academia, government and international organizations.
Yes, S.J.D. graduates are well-equipped to pursue academic careers, teaching positions at universities, or leadership roles in government, international organizations, or policy institutions in Qatar, the MENA region, broader Asia and beyond. The program’s focus on producing publishable research and its interdisciplinary approach enhance graduates’ credentials for prestigious academic and professional opportunities globally.