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Application Review

The application review process includes a thorough evaluation of a candidate's performance in previous law studies. Also of special significance are the applicant's professional experience, areas of special interest and expertise, professional and personal goals, strong letters of recommendation and English proficiency. To be eligible for admission to the SJD program, applicants must hold a first degree in law - the JD, LLB, or the equivalent - from an accredited or comparably recognized foreign law school or law faculty program. Additionally, applicants must hold an LLM degree or equivalent from an English-speaking university in an English-speaking country. 

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are made beginning in March. Admission to the SJD program is for fall semester only.

SJD Application Procedures

Applicants must select one of the two following options for submitting materials to Duke Law: electronically via LSAC, OR in hard copy format via the Mail-In Option noted on the Application Checklist tab.  Methods may not be combined.

Our preferred method for submitting application materials is electronically via LSAC (Law School Admission Council). Please visit the LSAC website for account access or to create a new account. Complete application instructions are available on the electronic application for the Duke Law SJD program.

You may also submit your application materials directly to our office. The application checklist allows you to investigate the options available for both application types. Please note that you must omit the box number from the address if you plan to send application materials via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.) to the International Admissions office.  Please note that we do not accept applications materials submitted via e-mail.

It is important to review the detailed application procedures.

• Application Checklist
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply
• Application Processing Fee
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Recommendation Letters
• Academic Transcripts
• Research Proposal & Writing Sample
• TOEFL Score Report
• Application Review
• Contact Us

Application Checklist

The following items are required to complete your application for SJD program admission. Application files will not be evaluated until all required items have been received. Applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of materials that contains login and password information to check the status of their application. Please note that e-mails are not sent indicating completion of application files.

• Application form completed. If applying via LSAC, certification must be signed electronically. If not, you must also complete and sign the Certification Letter and submit to International Admissions.
• $80 non-refundable application processing fee. If applying electronically via LSAC, you must submit payment via credit card. If applying directly to the International Admissions office, acceptable forms of payment are 1) checks in USD drawn on a U.S. bank, 2) postal or bank money order in USD, or 3) travelers checks (please sign on both the top and bottom lines if using travelers checks). Non-credit card payment methods should be made payable to Duke Law School. Please contact the International Studies office directly for wire transfer instructions. Duke University School of Law does not waive application fees for SJD applicants.
• Resume. If you are applying electronically, use electronic attachment.
• Personal statement 2-5 pages in length. If you are applying electronically, use electronic attachment.
• Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions. You may utilize the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) or have transcripts mailed directly to the International Admissions office. If still enrolled in courses when application is submitted, include transcripts for all completed work and indicate when final transcript will be available.
• Recommendation letters. SJD program applicants should include at least three recommendation letters, one of which should be from an individual familiar with the applicant's academic performance during the LLM program. You may utilize the LSAC LOR service or submit letters directly to International Admissions office.
• Short Statement of Proposed Research Focus. SJD applicants should include a brief (2-5 pages) research proposal describing the applicant's research interest.
• Writing sample. SJD applicants should include a sample indicative of their scholarship and writing ability.
• TOEFL score report. If applying electronically, score is included in CAS report. If not, have ETS submit your score to Duke, institution code 5156, department code 03.
• Scholarships.  Unless they are sponsored by home governments or universities, admitted SJD candidates receive full-tuition scholarships.  Please note, however, that Duke Law does not offer scholarships that cover educational fees or living expenses, nor does it offer stipends to SJD candidates.
   

Application Deadline

The recommended application deadline for the SJD program is March 1. 
 

How to Apply

Our preferred method for submitting application materials for the SJD program is electronically via LSAC (Law School Admission Council). Please visit the LSAC website for account access or to create a new account. Complete application instructions are available on the electronic application for the Duke Law SJD program.

You may also submit your application materials in hard copy form directly to the International Admissions office (address below). Please note that you must omit the box number from our mailing address if you plan to send application materials via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.).  Please note that we do not accept application materials submitted electronically via e-mail.

Application Processing Fee

If you apply electronically through LSAC, you must pay by credit card. If applying directly to the International Admissions office, acceptable forms of payment are 1) checks in USD drawn on a U.S. bank, 2) postal or bank money order in USD, or 3) travelers checks (please sign on both the top and bottom lines if using travelers checks). Non-credit card payment methods should be made payable to Duke Law School. Please contact the International Studies office directly for wire transfer instructions. Duke University School of Law does not waive application fees for SJD applicants. 
 

Resume

Please submit a resume with your application. If you apply via LSAC, use the electronic attachment.
 

Personal Statement

Provide a statement about your professional and educational experience, goals in studying law in the United States, future plans, previous overseas experience, and anything else relevant to your application. If you have a particular reason why you want to attend Duke (alumni in family, interest in specific professor or course, spouse or significant other applying), please let us know.

Recommendation Letters

A minimum of three letters of recommendation should be submitted on behalf of the SJD applicant. Such letters should not be from relatives or close family friends. The letters should explain the relationship of the writer to the applicant. At least one letter should be from a faculty member familiar with the applicant's LLM experience. 

If applying electronically, LSAC offers an LOR service for letters of recommendations.  Please follow the instructions on the LSAC site. If application materials are being submitted in hard copy format directly to the International Studies office, there are two methods of submitting letters of recommendation. Applicants may include with their application materials recommendation letters in sealed envelopes with the referee's signature across the seal. Referees may also submit recommendation letters directly to the International Studies office. We prefer recommendation letters in hard copy format but will accept electronic letters if referees are unable to submit letters prior to the application deadline. 
 

Academic Transcripts

Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted. Applicants can either utilize the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) with LSAC or have them sent to the International Admissions office directly from the academic institution. Purchase of the Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service offered by LSAC is optional. Transcripts may also be submitted directly by the applicant with their application materials. Please note that if you are not utilizing the Credential Assembly Service all transcripts must include an English translation, containing the seal or signature of a professional translator, and an explanation of the grading system.
 

Research Proposal & Writing Sample 

SJD applicants should include a brief (2-5 pages) research proposal describing the applicant's research interest. Applicants also should include a writing sample indicative of their scholarship and writing ability. This can be the substantial research paper from the LLM program or a published article.
 

TOEFL Score Report

Register for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at least two months before the examination is given. Because it may take more than one month for score results to reach Duke, it is advisable to take the test as soon as possible. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old from the date of the application to be considered valid. Candidates who are native English speakers or who have received degrees of at least three years in length from a university where English was the medium of instruction and where English is an official language of the country, may be exempt from this requirement. All other applicants must submit test scores in order to complete the admissions process. Duke's TOEFL institution code is 5156 and its department code is 03. TOEFL score results for students utilizing the LSAC Credential Assembly Service will automatically be included in the report. Students admitted to graduate study normally have scores of at least 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT).
 

Application Review

The SJD program at Duke has a very small enrollment. Criteria for admission include an outstanding academic record in legal studies. SJD applicants must have completed an LLM degree at an accredited American law school. In exceptional cases, consideration will be given to applicants who have completed LLM programs of study in common law countries. Applicants must also submit a well-structured research proposal on a topic taught by a tenured faculty member. Applicant are requested not to contact individual Duke Law School faculty members. The entire application will be reviewed by faculty members on the SJD committee, and that committee will arrange for an appropriate faculty supervisor for faculty supervisor for applicants whoa are admitted. If further information is necessary, the applicant will be notified. Admissions decisions will be made starting in March.