As part of the application process, prospective S.J.D. students must submit a comprehensive research proposal that aligns with the expertise and capacity of a resident/full-time faculty member at Penn State Dickinson Law, whether in Carlisle or University Park. Each admitted student is paired with a faculty supervisor who will provide guidance and support throughout the dissertation research process.
In certain cases, the S.J.D. Program Committee may appoint a co-supervisor. This is typically done when the proposed research is interdisciplinary, spanning multiple areas of scholarship or faculty expertise. Applicants should indicate their interest in a co-supervisor at the time of application.
Any Penn State Dickinson Law faculty member is eligible to serve as a faculty supervisor or co-supervisor. We encourage applicants to explore the areas of expertise of our accomplished faculty. Applicants are encouraged to identify potential faculty supervisors at the time of application.
Below is a list of faculty members currently supervising S.J.D. students or interested in accepting new S.J.D. students.
Larry Backer
- W. Richard and Mary Eshelman Faculty Scholar
- Professor of Law
Stanley Brand
- Distinguished Fellow in Law and Government
- On-site Director, Semester-in-Washington, D.C. Program
Medha Makhlouf
- Elsie de R. and Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professor
- Professor of Law
Jud Mathews
- Professor of Law
- Professor of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts
Andrea Matwyshyn
- Professor of Law and Engineering Policy, Penn State Dickinson Law
- Professor, SEDI, Penn State Engineering
Stephen Ross
- Lewis H. Vovakis Distinguished Faculty Scholar
- Professor of Law
Shaakirrah Sanders
- Associate Dean for Antiracism and Critical Pedagogy
- Professor of Law
Geoffrey Scott
- Professor of Law
- Director, Arts, Sports and Entertainment Law Clinic
Hannah Wiseman
- Professor of Law
- Professor, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences