For students looking to pursue the academic side of the law through prolonged research and writing, Suffolk Law offers a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree. The equivalent of a PhD in other fields, an SJD is the most advanced law degree available and requires sustained academic excellence as well as the prior completion of a JD and LLM.<br>Suffolk Law's Doctor of Juridical Science is a rigorous academic program that challenges students to expand their thinking and push boundaries in the study of law. Students are supported by experienced practitioners and surrounded by real-world thought leaders in the field. Upon acceptance into the SJD program, students must complete an in-depth, publication-quality, dissertation which makes an original and creative contribution to legal literature to successfully complete their degree.<br>Further your studies, explore new ways of thinking, and reach your highest goals and aspirations in the field of law.<br>Environmental law has evolved over the past half century from a specialty area of law to a primary element of legal practice. It has gone mainstream and now affects every aspect of law from administrative regulation to real estate to primary national and international policy on global issues.<br>Environmental law also is related to Energy law, which is its own significant and distinct practice area. Electric power supply is the last regulated industry in the U.S., with state and federal regulatory agencies engaged in substantial regulation of price, choice of energy technologies, and terms of service. Energy law involves a combination of administrative regulatory practice, environmental, tax and corporate law practice. With fundamental deregulation of electric power in 18 states, and smart grid investment in more energy efficiency and renewable energy, the energy law field is very active and designated as a hot area of law and employment opportunities.<br>For students interested in this field, the following 6 courses, coupled with work in an externship, an independent Directed Study with a professor or serving as a Research Assistant to a professor working in this area, are suggested for consideration.