Earning an advanced degree in the field of law can open up a world of opportunities for individuals seeking to become experts in legal research and scholarship. One of the highest attainable degrees in the legal profession is the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.). This article explores the intricacies of this prestigious degree, its duration, and its relevance in various regions, particularly the Philippines, with a focus on the Doctor of Juridical Science program at San Beda College of Law.
Doctor of Juridical Science Years
The journey to attain a Doctor of Juridical Science degree is not one to be taken lightly. This section delves into the duration and commitment required to complete an S.J.D. program. These doctoral programs are rigorous and demanding, often taking several years to complete. Aspiring legal scholars should be prepared for a significant time investment and a challenging academic journey.
Doctor of Jurisprudence Philippines
The legal landscape varies from country to country, and the Philippines is no exception. In the Philippines, the Doctor of Juridical Science, often referred to as S.J.D., is a prestigious postgraduate degree that is sought after by those wishing to make significant contributions to legal scholarship and practice. This section provides insights into the importance of this degree in the Philippines and the academic and professional benefits it offers.
Doctor of Juridical Science San Beda
San Beda College of Law, located in the Philippines, is known for its high-quality legal education programs. Among its offerings, the Doctor of Juridical Science program stands out as an esteemed avenue for legal scholars. In this section, we explore what makes the Doctor of Juridical Science program at San Beda unique and why it is a desirable choice for those pursuing advanced legal studies in the Philippines.
What is a Doctor of Juridical Science?
The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.) is the highest academic degree attainable in the field of law. This section provides an in-depth look at what the Doctor of Juridical Science entails, its purpose, and the qualifications needed to embark on this advanced academic and professional journey. From researching complex legal issues to making significant contributions to the development of legal doctrine, a Doctor of Juridical Science is a distinguished legal scholar.
The Graduate School of Law has added the Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) program to its present offerings. Under the Master of Legal Studies program, a graduate of law, whether possessing an Ll.B. or a J.D. degree is, after enrolling in two academic semesters at the Graduate School of Law, awarded a Master of Legal Studies degree. This provides with law graduates the opportunity to convert their post-baccalaureate Ll.B. or J.D. degrees into a master’s degree that should enable them to teach in higher education institutions. Under present CHED rules, only those who possess Master’s degrees can teach in college and university levels. This program has already received the approval of the Legal Education Board.
DEGREE PROGRAMS AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LAW
Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD)
Prerequisite:
LLM
Master of Comparative Law
Doctor of Canon Law (JCD)
Master of Laws (LLM)
Tracks:
Civil Law
Commercial Law
Constitutional Law
International Law
Canon Law
Prerequisite:
Bachelor of Laws
Juris Doctor
Note: Non-Members of the Bar may also be admitted provided that they have a JD or an LLB with a GPA of 90.
Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
Specialization:
Criminal Justice Administration
Economic law
International Law
Prerequisites:
LLB or JD
Bachelor’s Degree with 18 units in the Social Sciences
Special Program for Priests and Curial Personnel:
Master of Legal Studies
Specialization:
Philippine and Canon Law
One feature of our Graduate School of Law is the offering of an Ll.M. track in American law that provides graduates with the academic units that enable them to sit for the Multi-State Bar of the United States.
The Faculty has agreed to retain the present thesis and non-thesis tracks for the Ll.M. degree, requiring for the non-thesis track 45 units, while the thesis track requires 30, and the submission of three major research papers, each not less than 25 pages.
The theses submitted last year were outstanding: one is in fact a proposal that has been submitted to the Department of Justice and to the Supreme Court on a joint project for the revision of the present Revised Penal Code. It proposed the adoption of community service as an alternative to imprisonment for certain categories of offenses.
Our Graduate School of Law holds two distinctions: first, it is the only Graduate School of Law with which the Philippine Judicial Academy of the Supreme Court has a consortium; second, it is the Graduate School of Law with the highest population while maintaining the rigid standards that have allowed us to enjoy credibility and respect nationwide.
Our Academic Policies have been submitted for review and have been approved by the Legal Education Board. The Graduate School of Law is subject to the regulatory authority only of the Legal Education Board.
Linkages
What has made our Graduate School survive and flourish is the fact that we have aggressively pursued a policy of establishing provincial nodes of delivery for graduate education in law. At present these include:
Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Zamboanga City
Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao City
Central Philippine University, Ilo-ilo City
Cor Jesu College Inc., Digos Davao City
Jose Maria College of Law, Sasa Davao City
Isabela State University, Isabela
Mindanao State University, Iligan Extension at Msu-iit General Santos City
San Beda College Alabang, Muntilupa City
Saint Louis University, Baguio City
University of Nueva Caceres School of Law, Naga City
University of San Carlos, Cebu City
University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City
Only last week, the Office of the President of St. Louis University, Baguio, requested me to establish SLU as a node for the delivery of graduate education by San Beda University. The documents are in the drafting stage.
Under the present linkage scheme, all students enrolled in the different nodes are students of the Graduate School of Law of San Beda University alone. The different schools serve only as venues for delivery. Their faculty members are the principal enrollees of the program. After subtracting administrative costs, fixed fees are paid San Beda University (except for Cebu and Iloilo, these are the faculty development funds awarded by CHED, before the activation of the Legal Education Board, to certain meritorious law schools). It is our Graduate School of Law that sends professors.
In conclusion, a Doctor of Juridical Science degree represents the pinnacle of legal education and scholarship. Its duration, importance in different regions, including the Philippines, and the unique offerings of programs like the one at San Beda College of Law make it an attractive option for individuals committed to advancing their legal expertise and contributing to the field of law through extensive research and scholarship. Whether you are a legal practitioner or an aspiring academic, a Doctor of Juridical Science is a prestigious and rewarding path that can have a lasting impact on the world of law.
