The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.; in Latin, Scientiae Juridical Doctor) Program, modeled on the Ph.D. programs in other disciplines, is designed for those seeking to pursue academic careers as teachers and scholars of law. This highly selective program is open only to applicants who possess a distinguished prior academic record in law, show promise of outstanding scholarship and demonstrate a high potential for completing a scholarly dissertation of the required quality.

The educational program for the preparation of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) has a scientific and pedagogical orientation, the purpose of which is fundamental, educational, methodological, and research training and in-depth study of the disciplines of legal sciences for the system of higher and postgraduate education.