Doctor of Juridical Science

The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is a professional doctorate program that enables students to complete a research thesis together with a selection of coursework units in a specific area of interest. The program is suited to legal professionals seeking to enhance their expertise through advanced coursework and research. The coursework units allow students to develop some expertise in the area in which they intend to pursue their research before commencing work on their thesis.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 10, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Successful completion of the program will signify that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the student's capacity to carry out independent original research.

In some cases credit may be given for Master of Laws units completed at another Australian law school. Applications for credit will be considered in accordance with the University's Credit PolicyCredit Policy (http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/admissions/credit-policy.html).

Conditions of enrolment

Students are to refer to the Handbook for Research Master's DegreesHandbook for Research Master's Degrees (http://www.monash.edu/migr/research-degrees/handbook/masters) for all policies and procedures relating to their enrolment.

This course consists of coursework study (25 per cent) and a research and thesis component (75 per cent).

Coursework component

Students must complete:

• LAW6300 Doctor of Juridical Science seminar
• four coursework units from the Master of Laws programMaster of Laws program (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/aos/law/)

A minimum average level of distinction (70 per cent) in the four coursework units must be achieved before students can be enrolled in LAW6300. A student's assessment in the coursework component is conducted in accordance with the University's Assessment in Coursework Units PolicyAssessment in Coursework Units Policy (http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/assessment-in-coursework-units-policy.html) and supporting procedures. Students who do not meet all requirements of the coursework component are not able to proceed to the research component. There is no alternate or lower-level exit for this course . However students who have completed four coursework units in this course can apply to undertake any Monash Master of Laws coursework course and transfer the credit to that course.

Research component

Students must, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in the student's chosen discipline for a specified period, including attending and/or presenting at seminars and other related activities as indicated by the faculty

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 50,000 words on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners. Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished workconjointly published or unpublished work (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/) may be permitted.

Students are required to undertake regular progress milestones to support them in conducting research of an appropriate quality, originality and depth as required by their course of study, in accordance with the Graduate Research Progress Management policyGraduate Research Progress Management policy (http://policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/grad-research-progress-mgmt-policy.html) and supporting procedures.