J.S.D. Admissions and Application

Individuals admitted to the program must meet the admission requirements and must show substantial potential for writing a dissertation of publishable quality that will make a significant scholarly and original contribution to the field of international human rights law.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is no longer accepting applications for the J.S.D. program for the 2012-2013 academic program.

Those who seek admission must submit an application to:
J.S.D. Admissions Committee
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Notre Dame Law School
2150 Eck Hall of Law
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
United States of America

Admission Requirements

• $50.00 (U.S.) application fee
  This fee should be paid online by credit or debit card by clicking here. If you are unable to pay the application fee, please submit with your application a statement outlining your financial circumstances. There is no separate waiver request form.
  
  

• Your completed application form.
  
  

• Your current C.V. or Resume
  
  

• Your official TOEFL or ILETS results (Notre Dame’s ETS code is 1841.)
  If your native language is English or you have already completed a degree in English, you are exempt from this requirement.
  
  

• An authenticated transcript and diploma demonstrating that you possess a J.D., LL.B. or equivalent degree from an American law school approved by the ABA Section of Legal Education or from an accredited law school in a foreign country
  
  

• An authenticated transcript and diploma demonstrating that you possess an LL.M. degree or its equivalent from an approved or accredited law school or evidence that you are in the process of satisfactorily completing the requirements for the LL.M. degree or its equivalent. Admission to the J.S.D. program in this case is contingent upon the award of that LL.M. degree or its equivalent.
  
  

• A 3-4 page personal statement that outlines your reasons for wishing to pursue the J.S.D.
  There are no limitations on the font type, font size or margin spacing; however, it should be double-spaced.
  
  

• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or others who can substantively comment on your academic performance and scholarly potential.
  Letters of recommendation may be sent with your application (each in a sealed, signed envelope) or directly to the Center for Civil and Human Rights by your recommenders by regular mail to the address above or email to cchr@nd.edu.
  
  

• A writing sample that shows evidence of your scholarly and analytic capacity
  
  

• A 5-10 page “Proposed Program of Study for the J.S.D. Degree,” identifying the subject area in which you propose to write a dissertation along with an indicative bibliography