The World’s First Doctorate in Animal Law

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) at Lewis & Clark Law School announced the launch of the world’s first Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Animal Law this fall. The equivalent of a PhD in legal education, the SJD is a three-year program designed to equip LLM degree holders with advanced research skills, and program structure, and to provide the academic and experiential opportunities necessary to becoming the thought leaders, educators, and scholars who will shape animal law and public policy.

CALS has a rich history as a proven leader in animal law education in the United States and abroad. The center offered the world’s first Master of Laws (LLM) in Animal Law in 2012; launched a part-time online advanced degree program in 2021; and began offering the first Master of Studies (MSL) in Animal Law degree in the U.S. in 2022.

“The field of animal law has expanded at a staggering pace,” says Pamela Hart, the assistant dean and the executive director of CALS. “Given our history of firsts in animal law education, the expansion of our degree offerings to include the SJD was the next logical step to enshrine animal law in academia and to offer a pathway for passionate and dedicated scholars who wish to further deepen their knowledge and develop expertise that will shape the future of animal law in public policy, research, academia, and beyond.”