<p>Harvard offers an S.J.D program, designed for those who want to pursue academia (perhaps me)... does anyone have a sense of how competitive this program is, or what other schools have similar strong programs, etc... are you able to practice law with an S.J.D? I'm thinking probably not... any information at all would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in law school not necessarily to become an attorney, but to pursue academia and/or the judicial aspect. </p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Did you look at harvard law's website? the S.J.D. is described as an advanced degree for people who already have an initial law degree -- </p>
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[quote]
The LL.M (Master of Laws) and the S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) degrees are intended for students who previously have earned an initial law degree. Most of the students enrolled in these programs come to HLS from other nations. The one-year LL.M program provides students who already have excellent legal training and experience -- many have served as practicing lawyers, judges, diplomats, community leaders -- with broad latitude to design a course of study that will give them an expanded understanding of law and legal theory. The S.J.D. is still a more advanced degree, intended for students who wish to pursue a career in legal education.
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<a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/degree.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/degree.php</a></p>
<p>so this doesn't look like something you do instead of regular law school, but rather after regular law school.</p>