Doctor of the Science of Law

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) (Latin: Juris Scientiae Doctor) (rough English equivalent: Juridical Science Doctorate) is Columbia's designation for a research degree in law (other universities offer "SJDs" or some other combination). Offered through Columbia Law School, they are the equivalent of a PhD in law, although they go far beyond the requirement for law teaching in the U.S. (the minimum for which is a mere JD). Consequently, the JSD, like the LLM, is a degree primarily held by foreigners.