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S.J.D. Admission Requirements

Application Deadline: February 1st

  • All applications must be complete by February 1st. No applications will be considered after the deadline. The S.J.D. Program accepts applicants only for the fall semester.
  • Applicants must hold an advanced law degree (LL.M. or equivalent) from a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association, or from a non-U.S. law school with equivalent standards.
  • Demonstrate distinguished academic performance in prior legal study. Most applicants have at least a 3.3 grade average on a 4.0 scale in prior legal study.
  • Submit a completed application form, with supporting materials, before the application deadline.

S.J.D. Application Procedure


To be considered for admission to the S.J.D. Program, applicants must submit the following documents by the application deadline:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application Form

Applicants must complete and submit the S.J.D. application form. We strongly encourage applicants to complete and submit the application online.

Application Fee

Each application for admission must be accompanied by a non-refundable $75 application fee, which is payable by credit card through our website or through checks, U.S. money order, and traveler’s checks. Make checks or U.S. money orders payable to "American University Washington College of Law." All checks must be drawn on a bank that has a branch in the United States. We also accept American Express, Thomas Cook, and Barclay's traveler's checks. Postal money orders from other countries and cash are not acceptable.

Academic Records

Applicants must submit official transcripts or notarized full-sized copies of all law, graduate, and undergraduate schools attended, including a record of all your courses, examinations, and marks, and an official certification of the law degree received from a U.S. law school or from a recognized international institution. "Official" means a copy of your original document certified by an officer of your school or by a notary public. Faxed copies and photocopies of academic records will not be accepted. Transcripts must be written in the native language of the school. If this language is not English, the documents must be accompanied by a certified translation. Institutions must send the required documents directly to S.J.D. Program.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from law professors, employers, or other persons familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications, using the official recommendation form. The recommendations must be sent directly to the S.J.D. Program in sealed and signed envelopes.The applicant should explain to references that the committee gives considerable weight to recommendation letters and thus thoughtful, candid evaluations of an applicant’s research and writing abilities, English proficiency, and any notable achievements that the reference deems significant are especially helpful.  

Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a one-page single-spaced essay explaining why he or she is seeking the S.J.D. degree and how it will advance his or her professional objectives. This essay can include reference to a specific position that the applicant seeks to attain, or to an area of law where the applicant plans to make a novel contribution. The S.J.D. dissertation should add to the existing legal literature in the chosen field.

Dissertation Proposal

Applicants must submit a dissertation proposal using the following five headings. A dissertation proposal lacking these five subparts will not be considered. The proposal must be 10 – 15 pages long, double spaced, with Times New Roman 12 point font, and 1 inch margins on all sides. 

  • The topic of the proposed dissertation
  • A preliminary literature review, including:
    • discussion of the existing literature on the subject and overview of what other scholars have already addressed; and .
    • Explanation of how the applicant’s dissertation will differ from, and add to, the existing literature;
  • A clear statement of the proposed hypothesis to be explored in the dissertation:
    • Identification of a dissertation statement to be developed in the course of research and writing. The statement should not simply say you want to investigate a topic, study an area, or summarize a field. Rather, the dissertation statement requires a developed perspective that takes a particular approach or analyzes a specific theme in the desired topic of study.
  • A statement of the methodology to be followed in developing the dissertation.
    Consider the following:
    • What is the plan of research?
    • What bodies of writing will be consulted?
    • Are empirical studies necessary? If so, explain?
    • Will the dissertation be primarily theoretical in nature?
    • Will the study to be comparative in perspective?
    • Will the study be policy-oriented?
    • In short, what kind of investigations will the candidate undertake to research the chosen topic and develop the dissertation?
  • Faculty Advisor
    • If the applicant has secured a WCL professor to serve as a faculty advisor, he or she should identify the faculty advisor in the proposal. Securing a faculty advisor is not a required component of the application.

Dissertation proposals must be original and not previously used for other academic work and must meet the requirements of the WCL Honor Code.

Proof of Competency in English

Applicants whose first language is not English must take one of three tests for English competency, as described below. It is not necessary to take more than one.

If you are unsure whether you must take an English competency exam, please call 202-274-4268 or email the Program directly.

Visas for International Students

Non-U.S. citizens must submit the Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) and appropriate financial documentation with their application to receive an I-20 form upon admission. The I-20 allows the student to apply for the F-1 (student) visa. Failure to return the CFIS with the application will result in a delay in the issuance of the I-20. Students studying under other non-immigrant visa categories will be contacted if issues arise with their visa status. All students must be in the United States and prepared to begin the program by Orientation, which is held several days before classes begin. This is a non-waivable requirement, so plan accordingly.

Most international students attend WCL on an F-1 visa. A new visa can be acquired only at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Visa application procedures vary by location, so contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your visa.

Required documents for your visa application:

  • Signed and valid I-20
  • Valid passport
  • Financial documents for at least one full academic year, dated within three months
  • Official admission letter
  • Application and application fee (provided at the U.S. embassy or consulate)
  • Supporting documents to provide evidence of intent to return to your home country, such as family ties, property, or a job in your country

Please contact the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for more information.