Penn State Dickinson Law is the oldest law school in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest in the United States. For over 185 years, Penn State Dickinson Law has produced some of the world’s finest attorneys, judges, government and corporate leaders, and legal scholars.
Our S.J.D. program offers a flexible course of study that allows students to pursue supervised research leading to the production of a dissertation that should serve as an original and valuable contribution to legal scholarship. While the structure of the S.J.D. program can vary, the degree generally requires three years, one of which is spent in residence in Carlisle. The S.J.D. program at Penn State Dickinson Law is highly selective with limited admission each year.
Why Penn State Dickinson Law?
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Our legacy is your opportunity.
Penn State Dickinson Law offers all the resources of a world-class, public research institution while also featuring a student-centered academic environment. The classmates you study alongside will become your professional network, and you’ll get to see just how powerful community can be. Be part of a historic network of over 8,000 living law school alumni respected by the best legal minds in the world. With the Penn State Dickinson Law name, you will carry the respect of those who know that you have received a high-quality legal education.
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Some of the best legal minds in the country.
Our professors are lawyers and judges active in the legal community — and they have been for decades. They channel everything they know directly into the classroom, where they shape the lawyers of tomorrow. They’ll not only know your name, but they’ll also know where you shine and where you can grow. They’ll be your biggest supporters — and be the mentors you’ll have long after you graduate.
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The Penn State effect.
When you join Penn State, you gain access to the resources, experiences and network of a top research university with global reach. When you graduate, you will join a global alumni network of over 800,000 alumni and will find Penn State connections all across the world.
Penn State Dickinson Law offers access to an affordable, high quality legal education and rich experiential, social, and cross-disciplinary academic opportunities. Carlisle, where you will spend the residency portion of your program, is the historic home of Penn State Dickinson Law, with unique access to the state capital in a bucolic setting.
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions. Prospective applicants may also direct questions regarding the S.J.D. program to:
Anthony C. Ogden, Ph.D.
Director, International Programs and Graduate Education
Email: DickinsonLawSJD@psu.edu
Phone: 717-241-3532