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Doctor of Legal Science (Research)

Program overview

Advance your knowledge and research skills in an area of law of your choice with Bond’s Doctor of Legal Science (Research) (SJD) program, a higher degree by research program combining coursework and a thesis on an approved topic.

The coursework is comprised of six postgraduate law subjects. The thesis is a written work that a significant and original contribution to our knowledge or understanding of an aspect of law and that demonstrates your capacity to engage in independent research. (Students with a Master of Laws (LLM) have the option to reduce the coursework component in lieu of a longer thesis.)

The duration of the program is four years of full-time study, with part time enrolment available. During this period, you will be a member of Bond’s close-knit Higher Degree by Research (HDR) community. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with Bond’s research centres and specialist research units, and work with leading researchers and academics from all over the world.

We offer a team-based approach to supervision: you will be mentored and supported by a Principal Supervisor and one or more Associate Supervisors with expertise in the topic of your project. You and your supervisors will work closely together, and it is not unusual for supervisors and candidates to be co-authors in publications resulting from the student’s dissertation.

Through our dedicated HDR Unit, you will have access to administrative support, specialist advice and research training. You will have your own assigned workspace with lockable storage, IT support and funding for flights, accommodation and expenses related to conference presentations and fieldwork.

Bond’s Faculty of Law is a professional law school with a global focus and strong international connections. As a member of our research community, you will deepen your research skills and knowledge in an area of law of your choice with the support of your supervisors and peers, and you will have access to the expertise of Faculty researchers and scholars as well as visiting academics from across Australia and around the world.

Further information on how to apply can be found on theResearch Degrees webpage

Program code:LA-43040

CRICOS code:093848D

Program overview

Advance your knowledge and research skills in an area of law of your choice with Bond’s Doctor of Legal Science (Research) (SJD) program, a higher degree by research program combining coursework and a thesis on an approved topic.

The coursework is comprised of six postgraduate law subjects. The thesis is a written work that a significant and original contribution to our knowledge or understanding of an aspect of law and that demonstrates your capacity to engage in independent research. (Students with a Master of Laws (LLM) have the option to reduce the coursework component in lieu of a longer thesis.)

The duration of the program is four years of full-time study, with part time enrolment available. During this period, you will be a member of Bond’s close-knit Higher Degree by Research (HDR) community. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with Bond’s research centres and specialist research units, and work with leading researchers and academics from all over the world.

We offer a team-based approach to supervision: you will be mentored and supported by a Principal Supervisor and one or more Associate Supervisors with expertise in the topic of your project. You and your supervisors will work closely together, and it is not unusual for supervisors and candidates to be co-authors in publications resulting from the student’s dissertation.

Through our dedicated HDR Unit, you will have access to administrative support, specialist advice and research training. You will have your own assigned workspace with lockable storage, IT support and funding for flights, accommodation and expenses related to conference presentations and fieldwork.

Bond’s Faculty of Law is a professional law school with a global focus and strong international connections. As a member of our research community, you will deepen your research skills and knowledge in an area of law of your choice with the support of your supervisors and peers, and you will have access to the expertise of Faculty researchers and scholars as well as visiting academics from across Australia and around the world.

Further information on how to apply can be found on theResearch Degrees webpage

Program code:LA-43040

CRICOS code:093848D

About this program

The Doctor of Legal Science (Research) (SJD) is a higher degree by research program awarded for a combination of coursework followed by a 50,000 word thesis. Students with an awarded Master of Laws (LLM) may choose to reduce the coursework component in lieu of a longer thesis. The thesis represents a significant contribution to the knowledge or understanding of an aspect of law and demonstrates the capacity of the student to carry out independent research at an appropriate level.

What you'll be studying

Study Overview

You can complete this program in four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.

The SJD is awarded for the successful completion of up to six coursework subjects and a thesis. The subjects are chosen from a list of postgraduate law electives. Upon successful completion of the subject, you will undertake your independent research thesis on a topic of your choice. The thesis is supervised by an academic team with expertise in your area of research inquiry.

Program features

  • Access to industry

    Bond places a strong emphasis on communication and connections between the research community and industry leaders in the relevant field. Our HDR students are engaged in networking through on-campus events, attendance at conferences and professional workshops, and involvement in industry projects.

  • World class facilities

    Bond University is renowned for its unparalleled facilities and resources, including more live data Bloomberg terminals than any other Australian university, one of the largest films & TV production suites in south-east Queensland, high tech clinical laboratories and a globally connected law library.

  • Globally renowned experts

    You will work closely with Bond’s academic faculty, including internationally renowned experts in your field of inquiry. Your supervisory team will work closely with you on your PhD research thesis, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to your supervisors’ and colleagues’ research projects.

  • Work while you study

    You may have the opportunity to take on part-time teaching, research, and tutorial roles to help support your HDR study

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Hear from our Bondies

  • Bond University is renowned for the exceptional quality of its teaching and the personalised learning experience offered to its students. This extends to law students enrolled in its postgraduate research programs including the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Juridical Science. Our students are supervised and mentored by legal scholars at the forefront of their discipline, and offered extensive personalised support in the completion of their thesis. If you are interested in an advanced degree in commercial law, comparative law, legal education, dispute resolution or any one of our many area of expertise, you can join us at Australia's leading law school.

    Professor Nick James - Executive Dean, Faculty of Law
Previous Next

Hear from our Bondies

  • Bond University is renowned for the exceptional quality of its teaching and the personalised learning experience offered to its students. This extends to law students enrolled in its postgraduate research programs including the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Juridical Science. Our students are supervised and mentored by legal scholars at the forefront of their discipline, and offered extensive personalised support in the completion of their thesis. If you are interested in an advanced degree in commercial law, comparative law, legal education, dispute resolution or any one of our many area of expertise, you can join us at Australia's leading law school.

    Professor Nick James - Executive Dean, Faculty of Law
Previous Next

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