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Top 10 Best PhD in Law Programs [2024]

A PhD in law is an advanced qualification that will make you a true legal expert. You can use that credential to work as a legal research scholar or teach at a post-secondary level. This is not only a prestigious career path but also a lucrative one — today’s law PhD holders have an average salary  of $93,000.

Today’s law schools emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to legal education, equipping students to work in a diverse range of fields.

Interested in an advanced criminal justice  career? Below we’ll cover the top PhD in law programs, universities, and what you need to know before pursuing a doctorate in law.

Table of Contents

Top PhD in Law Programs

Yale university, law school.

Yale University’s Law School ranks first  in the nation, with its 20 legal clinics offering an immersive experience for students. This PhD program has a purely academic focus. To qualify for admission, you’ll need to already have a JD (Juris Doctor) degree. If accepted, you’ll be able to benefit from Yale Law School’s acclaimed “Yale Teaching Program.”

• Courses: Criminal law & administration, international human rights, and complex civil litigation.
• Duration:  3 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Fully funded
• Financial aid: Full tuition coverage, health insurance, and stipend.
• Acceptance rate:  7%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Stanford University

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

Stanford University is another highly acclaimed institution in the field of law education with a tough admissions process. Only a few exceptionally gifted students with an international JD or LLB or a SPILS (Stanford Program in International Legal Studies) qualification are accepted into this program every year. The program has an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to law.

• Courses:  Advanced antitrust, current issues in business law, and reinventing American criminal justice systems.
• Credits: 44 units
• Duration: 4 years
• Tuition : $64,350 per year
• Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, grants, assistantships, federal work-study, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location:  Stanford, California

The University of Chicago, The Law School

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)

The Law School of the University of Chicago is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching and cross-lists its courses with other departments. The faculty include philosophers, political scientists, historians, and law scholars. Students also have the option to pursue a Doctorate in Comparative Law (D.Comp.L.) instead of a JSD if they wish.

• Courses: Antitrust & intellectual property, civil rights clinic: police accountability, and American legal history.
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $7,647 per year
• Financial aid: Full tuition scholarship, fellowship, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

Columbia University, Law School

JSD Program

The Columbia Law School emphasizes experiential learning with law clinics, moot courts, and externships, offering opportunities for innovative education and valuable intellectual exchange. Students can conduct independent research with the help of their faculty advisors and they need to submit a DPR (Dissertation Progress Report) at the end of each year.

• Courses:  Intellectual property & technology, international & comparative law, and law of the workplace.
• Duration:  5-6 years
• Tuition : $75,572 per year
• Financial aid: Grants, loans, and first child allowance.
• Location:  New York City, New York

Harvard University, Law School

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Harvard University is one of the world’s most famous centers for education, and its Law School  is equally renowned. The school has a unique grading system that uses the classifications honors, pass, low-pass, and fail. This flexible SJD program allows students to design their own study plan and choose faculty supervisors for independent research.

• Courses: Advanced comparative perspectives on US law, environmental justice, and strategic litigation & immigration advocacy.
• Duration:  4 years
• Delivery:  On-campus
• Tuition : $67,720 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

The University of Pennsylvania, Carey Law School

Doctor of Science of Law (SJD)

Carey Law School’s curricula cut across disciplinary and international lines to create law experts in every field, including business, health, technology, education, and social work. For admission to the Carey Law School PhD, you must already hold an LLM or JD from the same school or an institution of similar standing.

• Courses: Privacy & racial justice, appellate advocacy, and disability law.
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, health insurance, and scholarships.
• Acceptance rate: 9%
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law

The University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law is one of the country’s most affordable top-tier law schools. This PhD law degree offers the choice of two concentrations: International Trade & Business Law, and Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy.

• Courses:  International business & investment structuring, federal Indian law, and trusts & estates.
• Duration:  3-5 years
• Tuition and fees : $26,000 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, federal work-study, loans, veteran benefits, and fellowships.
• Acceptance rate: 85%
• Location: Tucson, Arizona

The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

The University of Texas’ School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences creates professionals capable of dealing with modern issues like risk management, political violence, social inequality, healthcare, and international trade & conflict resolution. You’ll need a bachelor’s in criminology or a related discipline to apply for this PhD in criminology.

• Courses: Advances in criminology theory, evidence-based crime prevention, and regression & multivariate analysis.
• Credits: 75 semester credit hours
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 79%
• Location:  Richardson, Texas

Abraham Lincoln University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

This school was founded with to provide affordable education to working professionals who cannot attend regular law school. This doctorate in law is a flexible JD degree that can be completed entirely online through the university’s high-level education technology.

• Courses:  Criminal law, civil procedure, and wills & trusts.
• Delivery: Online
• Tuition : $10,100 per year
• Acceptance rate: 90.3%
• Location:  Glendale, California

Walden University

Online PhD in Criminal Justice

Walden University aims to help working professionals pursue advanced degrees and has been ranked #1  in research doctorates for African-American students. This program was one of the first online doctorates in criminal justice and allows students to explore national and international issues in criminal justice administration with a dual emphasis on contemporary theory and practice.

• Courses: History & contemporary issues in criminal justice, policy & analysis in criminal justice systems, and research theory, design & methods.
• Credits: 77 quarter credits
• Tuition : $636 per quarter hour
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, and veteran benefits.
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

What Do You Need to Get a PhD in Law?

The exact requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a LLB, LLM, or JD as a basic prerequisite.

As part of the admission process, you usually need to submit:

• Academic transcripts from previous studies
• Personal essay and/or research proposal
• Recommendation letters

To earn your doctorate, you’ll have to complete coursework, qualifying examinations, and usually a dissertation to a high standard.

Preparing for a Law Doctorate Program

The best PhD in legal studies programs are competitive, so it’s important to start preparing early. Keep up to date on developments in the field and research the best universities that offer your preferred specialization.

Look into leading faculty members in your areas of interest, and network by joining relevant professional communities. Once you’ve decided on your dream program, check admission requirements to prepare the strongest possible application.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Law PhD Program

Choosing the best law PhD program will depend on a range of factors, including your passions and interests. However, there are a few general factors that are essential for everyone deciding on a law school for their PhD to consider:

• Location:  First, a school close by could save you on accommodation costs. But that’s not the only location consideration. You should look at your school destination for evidence of a booming legal or education industry. For example, New York is a hub for business, while Boston is known as a center for technology.
• Cost and funding:  Ensure the program costs align with your budget and explore financial aid opportunities.
• Specialization:  Some schools offer unique specializations like social justice, law and economics, and international law. Choose a program with a focus on your preferred specialization.
• Faculty:  The university’s reputation is important, but its faculty credentials are equally critical. Explore faculty backgrounds by researching published papers and social media profiles like LinkedIn.
• Class sizes:  Smaller class sizes mean better one-on-one attention; however, a larger cohort offers better networking opportunities.
• Placement support:  What happens after graduation? Are you on the hook for finding a job on your own, or does the school offer placement options? Find out where alumni are employed to get an idea.

Why Get a Doctorate in Law?

A doctorate degree in law will allow you to pursue roles in the legal field as a scholar, researcher, or academic, and build a worthwhile career.

Several candidates apply for admission to PhD in jurisprudence programs every academic year, but top law schools have low acceptance rates, and only a few are accepted. For example, Harvard only has around 70 SJD students  while hundreds or thousands may apply. Therefore, with this qualification, you’ll belong to an exclusive group of in-demand professionals.

Jobs for PhD in Law Degree Holders

Here are some common roles for PhD holders in law with the average annual salaries for each:

• General Counsel ($170,183 )
• Staff Attorney ($71,106 )
• Professor of Law ( $131,926 )
• Project Manager ( $76,264 )
• Senior Research Associate ( $75,029 )

Course Costs

The cost greatly depends on where you study, but prestigious law schools can charge annual tuition of around $65,000. Once you factor in living expenses, books, and facility fees, the total cost can add up to around $100,000 a year. However, you can find programs with tuition and fees for as little as $7,500 a year. Moreover, most top institutions offer full-tuition scholarships, stipends, and similar financial aid that cover almost all of your expenses.

Course Length

Typically, a PhD in law takes 3-5 years to complete. However, most programs will give you extra time to complete your doctorate if needed.

Skills You’ll Gain through a PhD in Law

Aside from giving you in-depth and expansive legal knowledge, PhD in law programs can also help you develop the following skills:

• Communication
• Presentation
• Critical Thinking
• Project Management
• Problem Solving

Key Takeaways

A PhD in law is an excellent choice for legal professionals seeking a career in research or academia. While a JD or Juris Doctor is equivalent to a PhD, the former equips you to become a law practitioner.

On the other hand, if you want to teach at a post-secondary level or conduct further legal research, you will need a PhD. Prepare early and choose a program that will best help you to achieve your career goals.

For more law education advice, take a look at our guide on the best master’s in criminal justice programs , or weigh up your options with the highest-paying PhDs .

PhD in Law FAQs

What is a phd in law called.

A PhD in law is usually called a Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws. Some universities offer a JD (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence) degree, while others offer SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Science in Jurisprudence) programs.

Is a PhD in Law the Same as a JD?

A JD (Juris Doctor) degree is suitable for anyone who wants to practice as a licensed legal professional. These programs usually take three years to complete and are mostly coursework-focused.

On the other hand, a PhD in law may take 5-6 years to complete and usually involves a dissertation or major research project. If your aim is professional research or a job in academia in the discipline rather than practicing law, a PhD is better for you.

What is the Highest Degree in Law?

A PhD in law is generally considered the most advanced law degree. While some universities call it by other names, such as SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Jurisprudence degree), this is essentially the same thing.

How Long is a PhD in Law?

PhD Law programs typically take 3-5 years to complete. You may take longer for individual reasons, such as if you choose to study part-time.

What Does a PhD in Law Do?

A PhD in law will equip you to work in legal research or academia.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Doctor of Science of Law (JSD)

The Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) is the Law School’s most advanced law degree, and is considered a doctorate equivalent to a Ph.D.  It is designed for those interested in becoming scholars and teachers of law including interdisciplinary approaches to law.

Study toward the degree is open only to a small number of exceptionally well-qualified students who hold a JD or LL.B earned outside the United States.  Students in the program develop substantive expertise in one or more fields of law and have the opportunity to pursue substantive and methodological training in allied disciplines across the broader university, including but not limited to, the social sciences, humanities, and engineering.  The program culminates in the student producing a dissertation under the personal supervision of a Faculty committee comprised of law school professors as well as, where appropriate given the student’s interests, faculty from other departments of the university.

There are two different tracks for admission into the JSD program.  A minimum of two students will be admitted from among students who have completed the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS)  at Stanford Law School.  In addition, students at Stanford and at other law schools in the United States who will have completed LLM degrees prior to the commencement of the JSD program are encouraged to apply for admission and will be seriously considered.  To be competitive, students applying from LLM programs must have completed (and must submit) a serious piece of independent, original research demonstrating their scholarly potential.

Admission to the JSD program is on a highly selective basis. Please note that admission to SPILS or to any Stanford LLM program does not imply a commitment by Stanford Law School to accept a student into the JSD program.

Some need-based funding, as well as funding to conduct research and attend conferences is available to admitted JSD students.

Questions concerning the JSD program should be directed to [email protected] .

HOW TO APPLY

JSD Candidates

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Having a jsd from stanford law school opens up countless career opportunities..

Teaching in US Academia

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Graduate Program

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The Graduate Program attracts lawyers of demonstrated intellectual and academic excellence from all over the world. The LL.M. and S.J.D. programs expose students to American modes of legal education (which emphasize critical thinking and self-inquiry) as well as to substantive law, and enhance our students’ ability to do advanced scholarly work. The Graduate Program also hosts the Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher program, which accommodates a small number of legal scholars and researchers from around the world who are engaged in major research projects for which the Law School’s outstanding library resources may be of assistance.

Graduate Program Admissions & Financial Aid

Learn about all aspects of the admissions processes for our LL.M., S.J.D., and Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher programs, as well as financial aid and billing.

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Ph.D. Common Questions

1. How do you look upon practice experience in applicants?

Practice experience can be a useful qualification for admission, but it is not required. Applicants must complete their J.D. degree before enrolling in the Ph.D. in Law program. This means that students may apply during their third year of law school, but most applicants will have had at least one year of post-law school experience of some kind. Often that experience will be a clerkship, but it may also include law practice, a public interest fellowship, government work, or even experience in a pursuit largely unrelated to law. The Ph.D. Admissions Committee also welcomes applications from candidates with a number of years of post-law school experience. Applicants who have spent more than a couple of years after law school in practice should relate their practice experience to their scholarly agenda or use their personal statements to explain their change in direction.

2. I have a clerkship, or I intend to apply for clerkships, following graduation. Can I take a leave from the Ph.D. program to take a clerkship?

While we are pleased to welcome applications from students in their third year of law school, many applicants will have spent at least one year after law school in a clerkship. We recognize that the continuing disarray in the clerkship market has affected the post-graduate planning for many students, and we will offer the possibility of a leave of absence during the program to take up a clerkship opportunity. Applicants to the Ph.D. program should be candid about their clerkship plans in their applications and should keep the Law School's Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs informed of any developments that occur after they submit their applications.

3. What should I submit as my writing sample? Can I submit a brief or other piece of practical legal writing?

Your writing sample should be the piece of writing that is the strongest evidence that you will complete an excellent dissertation on the subject you have proposed. This might be a paper you wrote in law school, a student note, or even a law review article you have already published. Your writing sample need not be on the same subject as your research proposal, but it may be helpful if it is. Except in unusual circumstances, co-authored works will not be accepted.

If you wish, you may submit a piece of practical legal writing as an additional writing sample, but you should also submit a piece of legal scholarship. The Ph.D. in Law program is designed to prepare candidates for careers in legal scholarship, and your prior legal scholarship is the best evidence of your future potential.

Please note that your writing sample should be no longer than the equivalent of 30 published pages (or roughly 15,000 words)—you may need to select an excerpt from a longer article or paper.

4. I do not have a J.D. degree from a U.S. law school, but I have a first law degree from a university outside the United States. Can I apply for the Ph.D. in Law program?

The Ph.D. in Law program at Yale Law School is designed specifically for candidates with J.D. degrees from U.S. law schools. You may, however, consider applying for admission to Yale Law School's LL.M. degree program. For more information, please consult the LL.M. program's website .

5. How is the Ph.D. in Law degree related to the J.S.D. degree?

Both are doctoral degrees, which are the highest academic degrees in law awarded by Yale University, but the programs have different structures and are designed for different purposes. The more structured Ph.D. program is designed specifically for students whose first degree in law is a J.D. from a U.S. law school, and the Ph.D. is formally awarded by Yale University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . The J.S.D. degree is designed principally for students who received their first degree in law from a non-U.S. institution and subsequently received their LL.M. at Yale Law School. Unlike the Ph.D., the J.S.D. is awarded by Yale Law School, not the Graduate School.

6. What if I have more questions? Whom should I contact?

If your question is not answered on this website or on the Graduate School’s website, you may e-mail questions to Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, at [email protected] .

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Ph.D. in Law

The Ph.D. in Law prepares graduates for global leadership in the judiciary, academia, business and government. Since 1966, the program has offered a select number of diverse students the opportunity to attain their highest professional aspirations and career goals. A preeminent center for interdisciplinary legal studies, UW Law offers a global focus and innovative approach to integrating legal scholarship within the humanities and social sciences, medicine and global health, business and technology, and environmental and public policy.

The Ph.D. program is designed to provide a rich and thorough foundation in research methodologies, jurisprudence, legal theory, policy, dissertation preparation and ready access to specialized elective coursework from within the law school and university-wide research centers, institutes and schools. Throughout the program, our graduate students receive individualized attention from exceptional faculty and staff.

With its long and respected history, the Ph.D. program provides students with a global alumni network. Alumni are committed supporters and mentors and lead in many sectors around the world.

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of three years’ study, at least two years of which are comprised of coursework taken while in residence at the UW. Ph.D. candidates must complete 90 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must be taken at the UW including a minimum of 27 dissertation credits. Some of the credits earned in an LL.M. program may be counted among the 60 credits.

Doctoral dissertation committees are led by faculty experts from UW Law and include members with deep knowledge and expertise from across the university. Students can customize their studies with interdisciplinary coursework, independent study, field research, global internships and externships.

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Graduate Programs, UW School of Law William H. Gates Hall Box 353020 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195-3020, USA gradlaw@ uw .edu

Doctoral Programs

Joint Degree in Law and History (J.D./Ph.D)

Stanford offers two joint degree programs in Law and History: (1) a JD/PhD program and (2) a JD/MA program. Both programs afford substantial savings in time and money as compared with the separate pursuit of each degree.

The programs are designed to provide students interested in the study of law and history with top-level training in each field, as well as in the complex and fascinating intersections between the two. Students have access to the full range of resources on campus—including not only courses, but also conferences, lectures, and workshops—devoted to law and history. For an overview of many law-and-history-related activities on campus, please visit the website for the Stanford Center for Law and History . 

Joint J.D./Ph.D in Law & History

The basic structure of the JD/PhD program is outlined below. The program has been purposefully designed to ensure flexibility that addresses individual student’s needs and interests.

Timing of Applications Interested students must separately apply and receive admission to the Stanford Law School and the History Department. Students are encouraged to begin their course of study by spending the first year in the Stanford Law School (SLS), followed by taking courses from both SLS and History Department. This facilitates a truly integrated, joint program; it also maximizes potential savings in financial cost and time-to-degree. Student, who are already enrolled in SLS or the History Department, may apply for admission to joint degree status in the other unit. If you are interested in this option, please check with History Department’s Student Services Manager.

Applications for the PhD program in History are typically due in early December. By contrast, applications to the Law School’s JD program are accepted on a rolling basis, usually between September 1 and February 1. To be considered as a joint applicant, applicants should submit their law-school application around the same time as your PhD application (and definitely no later than the December deadline for a PhD in History). Applicants must separately apply and obtain admission to the Stanford Law School and the Stanford History Department .

In completing the online Law School Admission Council [LSAC] application form, the applicant will be directed to a set of questions unique to Stanford Law School—including a page inquiring whether they are applying to “Other Stanford Programs.” Please select “History” from the drop-down menu.

The History Department application does not include a separate box to indicate application to Stanford Law School. Instead, the applicant should note in their required “Statement of Purpose” that they are also applying for admission into the Law School’s JD program (or that they are already enrolled in a JD program at SLS and are seeking to pursue a JD/PhD in History).

Course of Study  Joint degree students are encouraged to begin their course of study by spending their first year at Stanford in the SLS, followed by a full year in the History Department. This sequencing is essential to complete the required History PhD colloquia sequence without any disruption. After their first year in SLS, students may choose courses from either program. 

Students, who wish to commence JD/PhD program in the History Department, should discuss their plans in advance with their advisors in the Law School and in the History Department. Such requests are reviewed by both units and are accepted only if there is a compelling justification.

If the student chooses to begin their coursework in the History Department, it is vital that they complete the paperwork required to matriculate at the Law School at the beginning of their very first year of coursework. Otherwise, they may not be able to cross-credit this first-year of history coursework toward their JD degree (as detailed below).

Whichever academic unit that the student begins their JD/PhD program, they must be enrolled full time in the Law School during the first year of their JD studies, and full time in the History Department during the first year of their PhD program.

Joint degree students are expected to take their History PhD oral examinations no later than the spring of their fourth year at Stanford.

Cross-Crediting of Units The Law School requires students to earn 111 units in order to obtain the JD The History Department requires students to earn 135 units to obtain the PhD. This is a combined total of 246 units. But students may save about a year of coursework (or somewhat more) through cross-crediting some of these units.

The Law School cross-credits toward the JD up to 31 units earned in the History Department. The History Department has the flexibility to cross-credit toward the PhD up to 23 units earned in the Law School. The Department makes case-by-case decisions about which courses earned in the Law School it will credit toward the PhD So, if there are courses in the Law School that you believe are relevant to your PhD studies and doctoral dissertation, you should discuss with your doctoral advisor whether these are appropriate for cross-crediting.

Tuition and Financial Aid PhD Students, who are simultaneously accepted to the SLS and the History Department for a JD/PhD program, spend their first year at Stanford as a full-time graduate student in SLS. The Department of History does not fund the JD/PhD student during this first year. After finishing their first year with SLS, the student matriculates in the Department of History as a 1st year PhD student and start receiving their 5-Year Departmental Fellowship, which provides five years of guaranteed funding as described in the Finance Section of this Handbook (pg.75).

For their year in the SLS, JD/PhD students are eligible for the full range of need-based financial aid arrangements made available by the Law School and the University. The funding is awarded on a competitive basis. For more information, please see https://law.stanford.edu/education/degrees/

Applicants are also encouraged to consider applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. The deadline for applying to this program is much earlier than the deadline for applying to pursue either the JD or the PhD in History—namely, October 11, 2023 at 1:00pm PST. Joint-degree applicants who choose to submit applications for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program must still submit separate applications to the Law school and the History department (as described above). Details can be found at: https://knight- hennessy.stanford.edu/ . 

Tuition for Students in Multiple Programs Graduate students who are eligible to pursue more than one degree at Stanford, where each program charges a different tuition (other than concurrent enrollment in a coterminal bachelor’s and master’s program), must document a tuition payment agreement by means of the  Tuition Agreement for Students with Multiple Programs

 (see  GAP 5.1 Changes and Additions of Degree Programs ).

The Enrollment Agreement for Students with Multiple Programs is not required if the programs all charge identical amounts of tuition (e.g., MA and PhD programs that are both in the School of Humanities and Sciences).

The student filing this enrollment agreement indicates the degree program to be used for tuition assessment in each quarter and academic year. The student must obtain the necessary signatures from the dean or associate dean representing each graduate or professional school program listed.

Each Joint Degree Program (JDP) has a pre-approved tuition agreement detailing which graduate tuition level is paid at which point in a student’s career (see  GAP 4.9 Joint Degree Programs ). JDP tuition agreements approved for each JDP reside with the Office of the Registrar.  All students enrolled in a JDP must submit the  Tuition Agreement for Students with Multiple Programs to document the tuition agreement and ensure that correct charges are applied each quarter.

J.D. / M.A. Program in Law & History

Timing of Applications Students interested in the joint JD/MA degree program in Law & History must separately apply and receive admission to the Stanford Law School and the History Department. To maximize potential savings in financial cost and time-to-degree, students are encouraged to apply to both the Law School and the History Department either (1) at the same time or (2) during their first year as a law student. Students in their second year of Stanford Law School may also apply to the MA program in History, but they are less likely to be able to complete both degrees in a total of three years and at the cost of their law degree.

Applications for the MA program in History are due in early December. Applications to the Law School’s JD program are accepted on a rolling basis, generally between September 1 and February 1. Applicants must separately apply and obtain admission to the Stanford Law School and the Stanford History Department .

The History Department application does not include a separate box to indicate application to Stanford Law School. Instead, the applicant should note in their required “Statement of Purpose” that they are also applying for admission into the Law School’s JD program (or that they are already enrolled in a JD program in SLS and are seeking to pursue a JD/MA in History).

• Course of Study Students pursuing the joint JD/MA must begin their course of study by spending the first year in the Stanford Law School. Starting in their second year, they will begin to take classes offered by the History Department, as well as by the Law School, and should be able to complete both degrees by the end of the third year. 

Cross-Crediting of Units The Law School requires students to earn 111 units in order to obtain the JD The History Department requires students to earn 45 units to obtain the MA This is a combined total of 156 units.

The Law School cross-credits toward the JD up to 31 units earned in the History Department. The History Department has the flexibility to cross-credit toward the MA up to 10 units earned in the Law School. The Department makes case-by-case decisions about which courses earned in the Law School it will credit toward the MA So, if there are courses in the Law School that you believe are relevant to your MA studies, you should discuss with your History-Department advisor whether these are appropriate for cross-crediting.

Tuition and Financial Aid The Law School requires students to earn 111 units in order to obtain the JD The History Department requires students to earn 45 units to obtain the MA This is a combined total of 156 units.

The Enrollment Agreement for Students with Multiple Programs is not required if the programs all charge identical amounts of tuition (e.g., MA and PhD. programs that are both in the School of Humanities and Sciences).

Further Information

Students have access to the full range of resources on campus, ranging from courses and conferences to lectures and workshops. For an overview of many law-and-history-related activities on campus, please visit the  Stanford Center for Law and History  website.

Please contact Arthur Palmon   (Assistant Director of Student Services).

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Fully Funded JD and PhD Programs In Law

Last updated February 28, 2022

Next in my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their doctoral programs and joint PHD-JD programs in law and justice studies.

When seeking funding for the 4-6 years of your doctoral studies, it is ideal to be accepted to programs offering full funding to all admitted students. When a university indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted doctoral student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, so be sure to research the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.  

In the  ProFellow database , we also list several competitive fellowships for graduate and doctoral study.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

University of Arizona, Duel PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law  (Tucson, Arizona): Most students in the doctoral program receive financial assistance in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or research assistantships. 

Arizona State University, PhD in Justice Studies (Tempe, AZ): Each year we aim to admit the number of doctoral students who can be fully funded with graduate fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. These awards cover your tuition, health insurance, and also carry a stipend.

University of California, Joint PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law (Los Angeles, CA): All admitted students receive two years of fellowship support. Fellowships cover living expenses, university fees, health insurance, and out-of-state tuition if needed. The university awards some multi-year fellowships to highly qualified students. In years when students do not receive fellowship support, they are awarded teaching assistantships that provide a salary and cover university fees and health insurance. Summer teaching may also be available.

University of Chicago Booth, Joint PhD-JD in Business and Law (Chicago, IL): All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth enjoy generous financial assistance consisting of a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel funding. Ph.D. stipend is $43,500 per year. During your third and fourth years in the Ph.D. program, you are guaranteed the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant.

Columbia University JD-PhD Program (New York, NY): During the GSAS portion of the JD/PhD program, students will receive funding as a GSAS doctoral student, multi-year support consists of a combination of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

Northwestern University, PhD-JD in Law (Chicago, IL): Northwestern offers the most financially generous JD-PhD program in the country, typically providing full funding—including tuition and living expenses—for six academic years and three summers, for up to five students per year.

University of Miami School of Law, Joint J.D./Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy (Coral Gables, FL): Students will receive 4 years’ worth of stipends and tuition waivers from the ECS program for their Ph.D. work, with the obligation to serve as a Teaching Assistant for 1 year out of the 4. The Law School will provide a $25,000 tuition scholarship for the first year in Law School.

University of North Carolina Center for Media Law and Policy, Duel JD-PhD in Law, Media and Communication (Chapel Hill, NC): Both the UNC School of Law and School of Media and Journalism provide scholarships and other funding including writing competitions, employment assistance, and summer grants to students who have an interest in media law and policy. Scholarships at the School of Media and Journalism are available to all students.

Vanderbilt University, PhD in Law and Economics (Nashville, TN): Law and economics students are fully funded by a competitive package of fellowship support covering both tuition and stipend.

Yale University, PhD in Law (New Haven, CT): Law Ph.D. students will receive a full-tuition fellowship, and a stipend at an amount set by the Graduate School (for the 2019-1920 academic year, this will be $43,300), Yale Basic Health coverage, and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and specialty coverage.

To view over 1,500 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowship database.

© Victoria Johnson 2020-2021, all rights reserved.

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in law.

103 degrees at 70 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

About Postgraduate Law

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law through distance learning offers a flexible platform for in-depth legal research and scholarship. It caters to those who wish to combine an advanced higher education qualification with their existing work or personal commitments by providing the ability to study from anywhere globally. You’ll be able to undertake the majority of your research at an off-campus location.

There are 19 such courses in the UK, and full-time students are expected to complete their work within three years. Courses are competitive, and a first class or upper second-class honours degree in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) is usually required.

What to Expect

The distance learning Law PhD spans approximately 3 to 6 years, depending on whether you choose to study with full-time or part-time enrolment. The programme is predominantly research-based, requiring candidates to produce a lengthy thesis that offers a significant, original contribution to the legal profession. This involves rigorous independent research, under the guidance of experienced faculty members who provide academic oversight and support through online communication.

Candidates are required to engage in critical analysis of legal texts, case studies and contemporary legal issues, demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills. Online seminars and workshops are integral to the curriculum, promoting academic development and networking within the legal community.

Upon completion, graduates possess a thorough understanding of their chosen area of law, prepared for careers in academia, legal research, policy development or high-level advisory roles.

Related subjects:

• PhD Arbitration
• PhD Civil Law
• PhD Company Law
• PhD Constitutional and Public Law
• PhD Criminal Law
• PhD European Law
• PhD International Law
• PhD Jurisprudence
• PhD Labour Law
• PhD Law and Legal studies
• PhD Law of Specific Areas and Countries
• PhD Legal Practice
• PhD Legal Practice and Procedures
• PhD Legal Rights (Law)

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

London South Bank University

The PhD programme is closely linked to our growing and dynamic research culture. You'll benefit from engaging with highly qualified Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,820 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,892 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate Research in law

University of east anglia uea.

UEA Law School is one of the top law schools in the United Kingdom. We want your research to make a real difference. Our inspiring Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Business Phd - School of Economics, Finance and Law

Anglia ruskin university.

Join an international group of researchers whose work is making a positive difference in the world of business, economics, finance and Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 2.5 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,392 per year (UK)

Law and Social Change at Birkbeck PhD

Birkbeck, university of london.

The School of Law's full-time MPhil/PhD programme in Law and Social Change is offered under an international consortium arrangement led by Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree

University of Glasgow

Our staff are experts from across all areas of the law, supervising top-calibre international research students. Our academic staff Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

PhD (School of Law) Doctorate

University of bradford.

Our Law PhD programme enables you to conduct legal research under the supervision of our international, experienced, and highly committed Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

PhD Security, Conflict and Human Rights

University of bath.

This course brings together research perspectives from disciplines such as political science, sociology and psychology, as well as Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,800 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,400 per year (UK)

SOAS University of London

The School of Law accepts candidates for research work leading to a PhD. The central feature of PhD work is the close relationship Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,860 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,430 per year (UK)

Royal Holloway, University of London

The multidisciplinary Department of Law and Criminology is home to applied, theoretical and doctrinal research across Criminology, Forensic Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Law PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Kingston university.

Whether you are planning a career as an academic within the education sector, or as a professional researcher within the public or Read more...

Mphil Phd School of Business and Law

University of east london.

The School gives postgraduate research students the chance to learn from the best academic minds and industry experts. You’ll be studying Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,870 per year (UK)

PhD Human Rights

University of essex.

Our PhD Human Rights was established to meet the demands of our students who have an established interest in human rights and wish to Read more...

• 7 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

University of Hull

About our programmes We welcome applications for postgraduate research into many areas of law at PhD level. Our particular range of Read more...

Law PhD, MPhil - Socio-Legal Studies

University of leicester.

Leicester Law School is a research-led department, recognising the important relationship between excellence in research and in teaching. Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,333 per year (UK)

Law LLM (by research), MPhil, PhD

Newcastle university.

Our Law LLM by Research, MPhil and PhD are courses of independent research under supervision. Join us for your Law LLM by Research or an Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

University of Nottingham

With well-established research centres and links to leading institutions around the world, the School of Law is a dynamic centre for PhD Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree

University of Plymouth

The law group has diverse interests with specific, discipline-leading, strengths in intellectual property, cyberlaw, discrimination, human Read more...

• 4 years Part time degree: £3,030 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil/MSc by Research in Business, Management and Law

University of salford.

Salford Business School aims to be a first-choice international provider of next-generation business, management and law education and Read more...

• 5 years Part time degree: £2,395 per year (UK)

PhD/ MPhil Law

University of strathclyde.

You can study a PhD or an MPhil in Law. A PhD requires three years of full-time study full-time and an MPhil requires one year of Read more...

University of Surrey

Why choose this programme Our PhD in Law aims to train the next generation of legal thinkers, law reformers, policy advisors, political Read more...

• 8 years Part time degree

1-20 of 103 courses

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Universities:.

• University of Warwick
• University of West London
• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
• City, University of London
• Liverpool John Moores University
• University of Suffolk
• Cardiff University
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Buckingham
• University of Sussex
• University of Aberdeen
• The University of Edinburgh
• King's College London, University of London
• Ulster University
• University of Reading
• University of Sunderland
• UCL (University College London)
• Birmingham City University
• University of Kent
• Bangor University

Related Subjects:

Osgoode’s PhD in law is a full-time advanced degree requiring research-intensive study and in principally aimed at students pursuing an academic career. It is designed to be completed in three to four years.

Prerequisites

An LLM is generally a precondition of admission to the PhD. Students without an LLM should apply initially to the Research LLM; after their first year of study they can apply to advance to the PhD.

Degree Requirements

Graduate seminar i: legal research (gs law 6610), graduate seminar ii: advanced legal research methodologies (gs law 6611).

• Study groups
• One elective course
• Extended dissertation proposal

Dissertation

• Final oral examination

The Graduate Seminar is the core course for the Graduate Program in Law. Designed to complement other courses, the seminar provides a venue for developing critical assessments of the law and facilitating students’ progress on their own research, papers and dissertation proposals. The seminar also creates an intellectual community and introduces students to Osgoode research resources.

This seminar offers a review of quantitative and qualitative methods employed in legal research. Specific sessions focus on interviewing, ethnographic methods, surveys and other quantitative methods, data collection and analysis, archival and document collection and analysis. The seminar is designed for PhD students and is completed in the winter term.

Study Groups

Students participating in study groups read and discuss a number of articles with their groups each week. The groups are not structured as courses but as venues for reflection and discourse. For doctoral students, study groups are equivalent to the comprehensive examinations required by other graduate programs.

Participation in a study group is required (for credit) in the first or second year of PhD studies, and then one year thereafter (non-credit) provided PhD students are registered full-time. Students can choose among five options, depending on their research interests and course availability:

• Regulation and Governance
• Law and Economic Relations
• Theoretical Perspectives in Legal Research
• Law and Social Justice
• Law in a Global Context

Elective Courses

PhD students can fulfil their elective course requirement through:

• a variety of graduate courses in law
• integrated courses with the JD program
• independent study
• courses in other programs

Research Outline, Ethical Review and University Guidelines

In the second term of their first year, each student must submit to the Program office a brief outline of their proposed research that has been reviewed and approved by the members of their supervisory committee. The work must be original, containing a new argument supported by research carried out by the student.

A declaration of the ethical issues around the underlying research must be made early in the student’s first year. Projects involving interactions of any kind (for example, through interviews, questionnaires, consultations or observations) require an ethics review.

Dissertations must be prepared in accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies thesis and dissertation guidelines .

Extended Dissertation Proposal

PhD students must submit an extended dissertation proposal (50 –70 pages) by the end of their sixth term. Students must defend their proposal in an oral exam before an examining committee (which must be done by the end seventh term).

The dissertation is a piece of original research that reflects a substantial contribution to existing legal literature. Expected to be between 300-350 pages, it should have the usual scholarly apparatus, footnotes and a bibliography prepared in accordance with the McGill Guide to Legal Citations. The dissertation should be of sufficiently high quality to warrant publication by an academic publisher or through a comparable venue.

With the permission of their supervisor and in consultation with the Graduate Program Director, PhD candidates may submit a Portfolio Dissertation in lieu of a conventional thesis. The Portfolio Dissertation must be composed of three to five articles (depending on the length and ambition of the articles) developed during the candidate’s graduate studies, published or accepted for publication, and combined with an introduction and conclusion.

Final Oral Examination

Students must succeed in an oral defence of their dissertation before an examination committee.

Time to Completion

PhD students are expected to complete all requirements within 18 terms (six years).

Residency Requirement

Students must be located such that they are able to progress on all program requirements requiring geographical availability on campus.

More Detail:

Faculty research advisors, related topics:, funding and fees, intellectual life, meet our current doctoral students, meet our phds.

Jake Okechukwu Effoduh

“This school propelled me to unearth the power of legal research in ways that have helped me uncover new insights, challenge existing paradigms and contribute to this ever-evolving landscape of scholarship.”

Deanne Sowter

“Attending Osgoode Hall Law School for my JD and PhD were two of the best decisions of my life, giving me the opportunities and skills to engage in important research supported by a thriving academic community.”

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The PhD programme

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Finance overview    Funding    How to apply

The PhD is awarded after three to four years of full-time research (or five to seven years of part-time study) on the basis of a dissertation of 80,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography, but subject to an overall word limit of 100,000 words exclusive of bibliography, table of contents and any other preliminary matter). Examination for the PhD involves an oral examination (viva) by two examiners.

Research students who intend to undertake PhD research are in the first instance automatically registered for a one-year research training programme leading to the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in Legal Studies. They are assigned a supervisory team by the Degree Committee of the Faculty, ordinarily consisting of a supervisor (who is principally responsible for directing and assisting the research) and an advisor (who provides a second point of contact for academic advice). At the end of the first year, the Degree Committee decides whether students should be registered for the PhD. This decision is taken on the basis of the student’s personal progress log, first-year dissertation of 15,000 words, viva conducted by two assessors from within the Faculty, and outline of plans for the full research project. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements of the CPGS and the first-year progress review are retrospectively registered for the PhD.

All full-time PhD students are ordinarily required to be resident in Cambridge for the duration of their research (save where given leave to work away from Cambridge for academic reasons or whilst undertaking fieldwork), and during the first year in particular must attend weekly research training sessions in the Faculty.

This overview of the PhD programme must be read in conjunction with the detailed information available under the 'Courses' section (see, in particular, the Course Directory) of the Postgraduate Admissions website . Further information on postgraduate admission to research courses in the Faculty of Law is available from [email protected] or +44 (0)1223 330039.

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Regarded as the highest degree in varied academic disciplines, a Doctorate of Philosophy ( PhD ) aims to provide students with a chance to delve deeper into a specific area of study. For a field like Law, a doctoral degree is suitable for those wanted to pursue their career as legal scholars and teachers. A PhD in Law incorporates intense coursework followed by detailed research in the chosen specialization. The program is devised for students who want to gain in-depth knowledge and advanced studies in the domain. If you also want to secure a doctorate degree in Law, you should definitely aim for attaining overseas education for the same. Through this blog, we will elucidate various aspects of PhD in Law, the eligibility criteria you need to fulfil, course structure and specialisations as well as top universities.

This Blog Includes:

Specialisations offered, course structure, top universities abroad offering phd in law, top colleges in india, entrance exams in india, phd in law: distance education, important books, eligibility for phd in law, application process , required documents .

Commonly offered as a 3-year degree, a PhD in Law implements a multidisciplinary approach and aims to impart students with the required theoretical background and research skills in the former part of the program while they are required to prepare their dissertation during the latter part. Often pursued as a full-time course, this degree prepares individuals for several leadership roles in Judiciary, Business, Academics as well as Government.

There are a plethora of concentrations available under PhD in Law from which applicants can choose from. These courses connect the vast discipline of law with its relevant sub-fields, hence students can opt for a unique course and specialize in the same. Selecting a particular specialization also helps to delve deeper into it by pursuing research. Take a look at the following list of PhD in Law specialisations: 

• PhD in Interdisciplinary Law
• PhD in International Law
• PhD in Legal Studies 
• PhD in Cyber Law
• PhD in Civil Law 
• PhD in Jurisprudence 
• PhD in Administrative Law Studies 
• PhD in Environmental Law  
• PhD in National Law Studies 
• PhD in Dispute Resolution  

Check Out: Law Subjects

The curriculum and syllabus of a PhD in Law can vary as per the specialisation as well the academic institution. But in order to provide you with a general overview, the following paragraphs describe the structure of this doctoral degree as followed for a 3-year program.

• In the first year of a PhD in Law, students get to focus on the coursework of their specialisations with their prospective Advisory Committees. Along with this, it also comprises a seminar regarding legal scholarships and methodologies. With all this, the degree also incorporates canonical workshops on legal scholarships in the first semester of the year. In the second semester, students are required to present a report on the same. 
• During the second year, you will get to work with the faculty dissertation committee. Students have to present the dissertation in a manuscript of almost a book’s length or 3 articles that can be published thus constituting the portfolio. Afterwards, the committees will provide their views on one’s dissertation prospectus and give their seal of approval if they liked the topic. Apart from this intense research work of PhD in Law, students ought to compulsorily participate in teaching activities where they can work as teaching assistants, co-teaching with faculty etc.  
• In the third year, students can either continue with their teaching as a professor of Law or they can go on with improvising their dissertation. In many cases, one can devote themselves to their research projects while pursuing teaching and at the conclusion of the third year, they will be required to submit their dissertation. However, the extension of the duration can also happen depending on a case-to-case basis.

Deciding the right university for a course can be a strenuous task and requires professional help. Leading law schools and universities around the globe possess the necessary capabilities to transform the personalities of enrolled students. These extra-edge attributes can help you have a kickstart in your career and convert your career aspirations into success. To grab a taste of global exposure and a plethora of opportunities in this field, here are some top-notch universities offering PhD in Law that you must consider:

Tabulated below are the top colleges in India offering a PhD in law. You can have a look here:

There are various entrance exams in India that you can apply for and attempt in order to be selected for a PhD in Law. They are mentioned below.

Did you know that you can pursue a PhD in law through distance education? A lot of established and good colleges as well as universities offer the course part-time or through correspondence. Tabulate below are some of the important colleges that offer PhD in Law through distance learning.

Tabulated below are the important and informative books you can refer to while pursuing a PhD in Law. You can check it out here: 

PhD Law Admission Process 

There are two ways of getting admission in PhD in Law. You can either get direct admission or merit. 

Direct Admission

• For direct admission, you must get the admission form from the college or university. You can get it both offline and online.
• To get the application form you can go to the official website of the institute or college and fill the form there. You can upload it there and then.
• Once you have completed filling out the application form you must go to the college for counselling and also attend the round of personal interviews.

Merit-Based Admission 

• The important exams conducted to give admission on the basis of merit include JMI Law Entrance Exam, CLAT, AILET – All India Law Entrance Test , NET – National Eligibility Test , and PET – PhD Entrance Test. 
• Students can apply for these exams both offline and online. The forms for the respective exams can be downloaded on their official websites. 
• Admission will be given on the basis of the subsequent marks obtained by students in these exams. 

To get enrolled in any degree, candidates need to meet certain prerequisites specified for the course by the institution. Since there are a lot of specializations available for PhD in Law, the eligibility criteria tend to differ from one university to another. Below listed are some essential requirements that you need to fulfil in order to apply for the program:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law such as LLB or any other related discipline 
• Master’s degree in Law, i.e. LLM although some universities may allow candidates having a postgraduate degree in similar disciplines  
• Students are also required to qualify for the LSAT exam with a good score. 
• Research Proposal (Around 1000 words): Describing the scope of the project along with undertaken dissertation. 
• If you’re applying to foreign universities, you need to give English Language Proficiency Tests such as IELTS , TOEFL , etc.
• It is recommended for the candidates have a well-designed Curriculum Vitae.

This is another important aspect you need to keep in mind if you’re planning to become a lawyer. But the application process might get overwhelming. This is where the professional from Leverage Edu will help you. It’s important to complete the application process without any mistakes. Here are crucial things to consider:

• Call us and we will help you shortlist your favourite law universities . But you need to submit your application to multiple universities to broaden your chances of getting selected. 
• Compile all essential documents. Don’t make mistakes while submitting the documents. 
• Submit the application before the deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships / student loans .
• Accept the offer letter

The documentation process is one of the most essential steps you should consider. But making some common mistakes will jeopardize your application. The documents you need to submit are::

• Educational certificates. As you’re going for a law degree, you need to provide your other mark sheets such as the 12th mark sheet, UG mark sheet, etc.  
• Letter of recommendation
• Letter of intent 
• Financial documents 
• Statement of purpose  

Career Prospects and Salary

After completing your PhD in law from a reputed university, you will be able to boost your chances of getting hired by top companies. Employers will take a look at your university name as it will have a huge impact on your employability. Therefore, make sure you complete your PhD degree from a reputed university to stand apart from the crowd. Here are the jobs you can get after completing your PhD in law:

• Law Professor
• Political Advisor
• Project Manager
• Compliance Manager

The salary of a lawyer who holds a PhD degree will vary from one designation to another as well as the country. Here’s a table:

Also Read: Law Entrance Exams India & Abroad     

Taw law and corporate law are the most effective.

If you want to get into a high-ranked university, you’ll need more than just good grades; you’ll also need flawless application because the competition is fierce. You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realise your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

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Law PhD / PhD by Distance Learning / MPhil / MJur

Annual tuition fee 2024 entry: UK: £4,786 full-time, £2,393 part-time International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only) More detail .

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Employability

As a postgraduate researcher at Birmingham Law School you will be contributing to more than 85 years of research tradition, working alongside some of the country's most eminent legal scholars.

Our expertise spans a wide range of areas, including commercial law, criminal law, criminal justice, judicial administration, European law, public law, human rights, international law, private law, restitution, conflicts of law, international economic law, comparative law, health and social welfare, socio-legal studies, and legal theory.

ESRC funding for PhD students

The University of Birmingham is part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership, offering ESRC PhD studentships for campus-based programmes. ESRC awards are available for a range of social science disciplines including Applied Linguistics, Area Studies (African Studies), Economic and Social History, and Socio-Legal Studies.

Find out more

Postgraduate scholarships available

The College of Arts and Law is offering a range of scholarships for our postgraduate taught and research programmes to ensure that the very best talent is nurtured and supported.

Learn more about our scholarships

AHRC funding for PhD students

The University of Birmingham is part of the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M4C), offering Arts and Humanities Research Council PhD studentships for campus-based programmes. These include a number of Collaborative Doctoral Award opportunities. Each studentship includes research fees, a substantial maintenance grant and additional research training support. Applications are open until 12:00 (noon), 13 January 2021.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

As well as providing expert supervision from experienced members of staff, we offer a friendly and supportive environment for our postgraduate students and consider them an integral part of the School’s  research community .

• With supervision from academic staff, our PhD programme requires you to research and write a thesis of 80,000 words that makes an original contribution to knowledge. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within three years. This programme can also be studied by Distance Learning -  see whether distance learning is an option for you .
• The MPhil programme requires you to research and write a 60,000-word thesis under the supervision of academic staff. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within two years.
• The MJur programme requires you to research and write a 40,000-word thesis under the supervision of academic staff. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within one year.

Our current Law PhD students

To find out more about the range of research currently being undertaken by our PhD students and the academics providing supervision, read our  profiles of current doctoral researchers .

At Birmingham, I have the fantastic opportunity to work with talented people from across a range of different cultural backgrounds which broadens my horizons and helps me get to know the world better. My supervisors provide great support and assistance, while I can always find activities on campus that interest me outside of my research. Yunxiang

Why study this course?

• Academic expertise : You will be supervised by experts, internationally renowned for their research in the legal field. Many of our academics ‘wrote the book’ on their area of expertise, or have been commissioned by governments and other public bodies to carry out important applied legal research. The University of Birmingham is a Top 100 University in the World (QS 2024 Rankings).
• Postgraduate community : The postgraduate community at Birmingham Law School is lively and supportive. You will have the opportunity to organise and participate in a range of research events, as well as get involved in social events. It is not without significance that several members of the School’s academic staff were themselves postgraduate students here. You can also make the most of new, dedicated postgraduate study spaces in the Law School and neighbouring Frankland Building.  Read more about the postgraduate community at Birmingham Law School . 
• Employability : Birmingham is one of the top universities in the UK for graduate employment. Our Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) offers support, whether you are looking to pursue a career in law, academia or elsewhere. 

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces, to careers support and funding opportunities. Learn more about your postgraduate experience .

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024 entry are as follows:

• UK: £4,786 full-time; £2,393 part-time *
• International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only)

The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2024.

Eligibility for UK or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students .

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding .

How To Apply

Application deadlines.

Applications are accepted at any time though we strongly encourage students to begin their studies at the start of the UK academic year (September).

Before you make your application

Full details of our requirements can be found on our Applications page . 

As part of the application for admission onto our MJur, MPhil and PhD programmes, you must prepare a research proposal outlining your proposed area of study. For more information, please see our  guidance on how to write a research proposal . 

Please also see our additional guidance for applicants to the PhD Distance Learning study mode . 

Making your application

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

• For MJur and MPhil programmes, entry usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent
• Typically, applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have will also taken into account.

If you are applying to study by distance learning, you will also be required to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

If your qualifications are non-standard or different from the entry requirements stated here, please email [email protected] .

International students

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries - use our handy guide below to see what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements: standard language requirements apply for this course - IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band. If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course - if you successfully complete the course, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without retaking a language qualification.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Members of Birmingham Law School are active in research and publication, and many of their books have become standard works on numerous areas of law. Academics working in the School are well known for carrying out important applied legal research, much of it commissioned by the government and other public bodies.

Birmingham Law School staff research supervision areas

• Commercial and company law (include banking, international commercial law, corporate governance)
• Comparative law (including civil law)
• Constitutional and administrative law (including legal response to terrorism)
• Criminal law and criminal justice (including international criminal law and evidence) 
• Environmental law
• European Union law
• Health and health care law
• Human rights and civil liberties
• International law and global legal studies (to include conflicts,  international economic law, International sale of goods, international trade law, transitional justice, law and development, international economic law, international criminal law)  
• Jurisprudence and legal theory
• Law and society (disability law, law and religion, gender and sexuality) 
• Legal education and the legal profession (legal education, judicial administration)
• Private law (contract, tort, restitution and common law)
• Property law (including intellectual property)

Related research

• Institute of European Law

The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report .

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network  provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated  careers and employability team  who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
• Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
• Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation. 

Postgraduate employability: Law

Postgraduate research students have the opportunity to benefit from extensive careers advice and employability support from the Law School. If you are interested in a qualifying as a lawyer, you have access to a wide range of events and activities, including regular visits from major law firms and barristers’ chambers. All of our careers and employability activities are organised through the Law School’s  Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research . Over the past 5 years, 83% of our postgraduates were in work and/or further study 6 months after graduation (DLHE 2012 – 2017).

If a career in academia is your goal, we have an annual lecture and exclusive advice sessions for postgraduate researchers, which includes support to develop you career profile and secure a job in higher education. It is not without significance that several members of the Law School’s academic staff were themselves postgraduate students here.

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Is a PhD in law worth it?

I have been given the opportunity to pursue a PhD in Law (in a European country, I myself am from that country as well).The issue is that this is a sudden opportunity. I did not even apply to become a PhD-student. It is more like an offer from my current supervisor of my thesis.

I really do not know how to decide on this, thus I could really use your opinions on wether or not a PhD in Law is worth it or not. Especially when I am not sure if I ever see myself teaching law.

Originally I had made the decision to pursue another Masters' degree in International and European law. But now I do not know where I am standing...

Thank you so much for your input!

- A twenty-something-year-old person who does not have any clue what to do in the future, but 'enjoyed' studying law for the past five years.

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The Ph.D (Law) programme offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. ​As a part of the programme, candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at NLSIU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.

Related Videos

Watch videos on the programme here .

Eligibility for Ph.D. (Law)

The following candidates shall be eligible to apply for the Ph.D. (Law) programme:

a) Candidates having a 5-year/ 10-semester/ 15-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC- NCL/Persons with Disability.)

b) Candidates having a 3-year/ 6-semester/ 9-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law (LL.B.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL Persons with Disability); and

c) Candidates having a Masters in Law degree (LL.M.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured an aggregate of at least 55% marks or its equivalent grade (50% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL)/ Persons with Disability);

d) Candidates having passed the Solicitors Examination conducted by the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and having a completed a bachelor’s in Law (LL.B./LL.B. (Hons.)) degree from a recognized University through regular mode; or

(e) Candidates having a Master of Business Laws (MBL) degree from the National Law School of India University with minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 4.00 and having completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University through regular mode.

Provided that candidates in their final year of study in the respective degrees in (a), (b) and (c) shall be eligible to apply, subject to the candidate securing the minimum marks or equivalent grade prior to July 2024.

International Students

Candidates can apply for the NLSAT – International Examination for “international student” category, if they fulfil the following conditions:

• They should be a citizen of a country other than India; AND
• They should have completed a minimum of ten years of their education in a school/college/university outside India.

For more details, click here.

Admission Process

Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-PhD). Candidates shall submit the application form duly filled up along with a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The application form is available here.

The research proposal should contain: i. Tentative Title ii. Statement of the problem and the background information on the subject. iii. A brief outline of the research design including a set of research questions, a brief review of the relevant literature on the issue identified for research, a research hypothesis (where applicable) and the proposed methodology. Students who demonstrate a firm grasp of these foundational issues will be awarded higher marks.

The NLSAT-PhD shall have the following scheme: a) Research Aptitude: 50 marks b) Essays/Answers on relevant topics pertaining to law/ other disciplines: 50 marks

Candidates securing not less than 50% marks on the aggregate in the written test will qualify for evaluation of their Research Proposal and making an oral presentation before a Panel of Experts on the date specified by the University.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on the marks obtained by the candidate in the NLSAT- PhD, the research proposal, and the oral presentation. The weightage of each score component shall be as follows:

a) NLSAT-PhD: 50% b) Research Proposal: 35% c) Oral Presentation: 15%

Important Dates

• The National Law School Admissions Test-PhD (NLSAT-PhD) will be held on March 17, 2024 (Sunday), from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm in specified centres across the country. The duration of the test shall be 150 minutes.
• Application deadline has been extended to 11:59 pm IST, on February 28, 2024. View official notification. An application fee of Rs. 3000/- (Rupees Three Thousand Only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application.
• The dates for the oral presentation shall be announced after the completion of the NLSAT-PhD. They are likely to be held in April – May 2024.
• Classes for coursework component of the Ph.D. programme shall commence in the University in July 2024.

The maximum number of Ph. D seats for the Academic Year 2024-25 are 8 (Eight). This includes 4 in Ph.D (Law) and 4 in Ph.D (Interdisciplinary). The University reserves the right not to fill all the seats where sufficient candidates do not satisfy the admission requirements.

PhD Regulations

Regulations governing the PhD programme are available here.  Candidates should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the programme, before applying.

The admission notification for AY 2024-25 is available here.

For Indian Nationals

For International Students

The total amount payable at the time of admission by foreign students for AY 2024-25 is Rs. 2,55,000/- as provided below:

Registration Fee – one time 90,000/- Course Work Fee – one time 90,000/- Annual Fee 75,000/- Total fee – per annum 2,55,000/-

* Fees mentioned above are provisional and subject to ratification by the University Governing Bodies.

Sample questions for NLSAT 2024 will be released to candidates who have registered through the admissions portal prior to the admissions test.

The University’s PhD programme in the previous year was offered in terms of the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations, 2021. The Regulations have been revised since the Academic Year 2023-24. 

The FAQs below reflect the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations 2023.  

NLSIU currently offers two Ph.D programmes:

– The Ph.D. (Law) programme allows a candidate to contribute academically in the field of law; – The Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary) involves research across disciplines to arrive at a more comprehensive perspective and solution for a particular problem.

Yes, they may apply for the Ph.D (Law) programme.

a) Candidates having a 5-year/ 10-semester/ 15-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC- NCL/Persons with Disability.)

b) Candidates having a 3-year/ 6-semester/ 9-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law (LL.B.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL Persons with Disability); and

Provided that candidates in their final year of study in the respective degrees in (a), (b) and (c) shall be eligible to apply, subject to the candidate securing the minimum marks or equivalent grade prior to the date of the commencement of Ph.D.

No, there is no age limit to apply for the programmes.

Candidates will have to appear for the admission test NLSAT – Ph.D, conducted by the University. To apply, visit admissions.nls.ac.in

Note: While submitting the application for the admission test, candidates should also submit a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The research proposal should contain: i. Tentative Title ii. Statement of the problem and the background information on the subject. iii. A brief outline of the research design including a set of research questions, a brief review of the relevant literature on the issue identified for research, a research hypothesis (where applicable) and the proposed methodology. Students who demonstrate a firm grasp of these foundational issues will be awarded higher marks.

No. Candidates may apply for either Ph.D (Law) or the Ph.D (Interdisciplinary) programme.

To apply for the Ph.D programmes, visit admissions.nls.ac.in

The University shall conduct a written test (NLSAT-Ph.D) along the following scheme:

a) Research Aptitude – 50 marks b) Essays on relevant topics pertaining to law/ other disciplines – 50 marks 

The list of selected candidates as above shall be displayed on the NLSIU website.

Candidates are required to be present at the NLSIU campus for the duration of their coursework spread over three trimesters. Course work is compulsory for all the Ph.D. candidates.

The first component of the course work must be completed during the first trimester upon their admission. The remaining two trimesters of the course work needs to be completed within the first two academic years.  

a) The candidate will have to complete a minimum of three (3) years’ research in their chosen subject, including the mandatory course work as provided in these Regulations.

b) Maximum period: The maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme shall be six (6) years* from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme, subject to the fulfilment of the requirements per the Regulations.

*- Provided that candidates who are Persons with Disabilities (having more than 40% disability) may be allowed a relaxation of upto two (2) years; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme; – Provided further that female Ph.D. candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/ Child Care Leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of the Ph.D. programme; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed six (6) years and eight (8) months from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.

c) Failure to complete the course within the maximum period set out in point (b) above will automatically result in cancellation of registration.

There are a total of six courses that a doctoral candidate has to complete. Three of these are compulsory taught courses. Each taught course will extend for around 10 weeks and will be held on campus.

The first compulsory taught course is to be completed in the initial trimester on admission to the programme. The second compulsory taught course can be completed in the initial or any subsequent trimester (depending on when the course is offered). These two taught courses have to be completed prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, there are also two course requirements relating to review of literature and fine-tuning of the proposal which need to be completed under the guidance of the Supervisor prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee.

The third compulsory taught course has to be completed prior to the second presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, candidates also will also need to complete the course requirement relating to teaching/research assistantships as will be decided by the Supervisor/relevant University body of the University.

There is a Research Advisory Committee for each Ph.D. scholar consisting of a Supervisor and two members (one from within NLSIU and one external member).

Please refer to the fee tab on the respective programme pages for fee details. 

Yes, the University will release sample questions at a later date.

We do not offer rolling admissions to the PhD programme. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying at the start of the Academic Year in July.

Yes, but only in the next academic year. Candidates will have to appear for the NLSAT after applying for the programme in any given year.  

Yes. The University will notify a ‘Campus Open Day’ for you to visit us and familiarize yourself with the campus before applying for any programme through the NLSAT. Follow our website for further updates.

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Law and Regulation

The PhD in Law and Regulation is designed to pursue PhD research at the intersection of law, social sciences, business and technology.

In the Law and Tax department we conduct research at the intersection of law, social sciences, business and technology. 

Armin Steinbach

The PhD in Law and Regulation is designed to pursue PhD research at the intersection of law, social sciences, business and technology at HEC Law and Tax Department. This vibrant academic environment allows PhD students to grow as researchers and obtain jobs in top academic institutions at the end of the PhD program. 

Why join us

The PhD in Law and Regulation is an intensive scholarly program aiming to attract outstanding global students with the highest level of ambition. The program admits only 1 to 2 students every year. It offers a tailored learning journey, which combines methodological and substantive training, as well as close, interdisciplinary supervision.  

Tracks 

The PhD in Law and Regulation offers two alternative PhD tracks: 

• The 3-year doctoral studies track is open to students holding a master degree in Law. In year one, students are required to take 100 hours of courses choosing from a range of legal and non-legal courses. They also work on their research paper-based dissertation as from year one. 
• The 5-year studies track (two phases) is open to students holding at minimum a bachelor degree (either bachelor of law or other bachelor degree with minimum exposure to legal studies).  Phase 1: In year one and two, students take courses for up to 120 ECTS and are awarded the Master in Management Sciences while working on defining their PhD dissertation subject. Students may choose classes offered in Law  at the Master's level, from specializations other than Law, or at other Parisien universities (upon agreement with these universities). 
• Phase 2:  In the following three years students work on their research paper-based dissertation as from year one. 

In both tracks, we also encourage academic exchanges with the world’s leading business schools and support research presentations in academic conferences.  

Read more about the PhD program curriculum here . 

Research focuses 

The Law and Tax Department conducts research at the intersection of law, social sciences, business and technology. Its faculties’ research spans across multiple legal fields such as corporate and tax law, European and transnational law, and fundamental rights, and covers topics such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusiveness, law and economics, artificial intelligence and the blockchain, financial regulation, and governance. The outputs of their research is regularly published in top-tier academic journals and media outlets.  

Research seminars

The department currently hosts three research seminar series: The Law and Regulation Series -- The Law, Society & AI Seminar Series -- The Law and Economics Research Series.

About the department 

The Law and Tax Department comprises of 12 professors and a team of affiliates who conduct research and are involved in teaching and supervising throughout all programs of HEC Paris, spanning the Grande Ecole, the MBA, the Executive Education, and the PhD program. The Department also runs three full time programs: an LLM in International Management and Law, a Major in International Taxation and Legal Strategy, and a Major in European Business Law and Global Affairs. These programs offer lively and hands-on courses to law students in collaboration with major Parisian and international law firms, companies and civil society organizations.  Department website 

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Georgetown cew law school rankings find brand is best if you want to make money.

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The potential to make a high salary as a lawyer is often what influences students to pursue a graduate law degree. However, while a law degree can open doors to higher earnings, not all law schools provide the same return on investment.

According to a study released by Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce, which ranks 186 law schools based on graduates’ salaries, if making money is a priority for a student, it’s best to shoot for highly ranked law schools.

Graduates of Columbia Law School have the highest annual median earnings four years after completing ... [+] their degree, according to a new Georgetown study that ranks 186 law schools.

“When it comes to law school, the best returns are concentrated among a small number of institutions, educating approximately 20 percent of law students,” said CEW Director and lead author Jeff Strohl. “Graduates earn the highest salaries from highly selective institutions. The top 26 law schools lead to six-figure salaries and a bar passage rate of 97 percent.”

According to the CEW study, A Law Degree Is No Sure Thing: Some Law School Graduates Earn Top Dollar, but Many Do Not , Columbia University law graduates have the highest annual median earnings four years after completing their degree at $280,900. Following Columbia were the University of Pennsylvania with $261,400, the University of Chicago with $256,400, Cornell University with $249,300, Stanford University with $248,000 and Harvard University with $233,600.

These salaries compare with National Association for Law Placement research that shows the overall median first-year associate base salary was $200,000 as of Jan. 1, 2023, up $35,000 or 21.2% from 2021.

Fed Chair Powell Issues ‘Critical’ Warning, Sparking Sudden $60,000 Bitcoin Price And Crypto Crash

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In comparison, the bottom three law schools in CEW’s 186-school ranking produced graduates whose annual median earnings four years after degree completion were $38,700, $44,100 and $58,400, respectively. The study found that at nearly 1 in 5 law schools, graduates earn less than $55,000, net of debt, four years after graduation.

The difference in salary outcomes could be because graduates from top-tier law schools were more likely to secure high-paying jobs at large prestigious law firms. In fact, according to a U.S. News & World Report ranking , 80% of law school graduates of 10 highly ranked law schools who have jobs at law firms worked for large companies.

CEW researchers found law schools with the highest-earning graduates send more graduates to full-time work at the nation’s largest law firms. At the seven schools where postgraduate earnings exceeded $200,000, 58% of graduates from the classes of 2020-2022 were employed in big law, compared to 16% of graduates across all 186 institutions CEW evaluated.

However, earning a higher salary is not necessarily the only factor influencing students when pursuing an advanced law degree. “If a prospective student aims to land a high-paying job after earning their JD, they are more likely to achieve that goal at a certain subset of schools,” says Catherine Morris, a senior writer at CEW and one of the paper’s co-authors. “But earnings aren’t the only factor students consider: some schools might set up graduates for work in specific fields or geographic areas they’re interested in.”

In addition, for many graduates, the burden of student debt can outweigh the financial benefits of a graduate law degree, particularly if they do not attend a highly ranked institution. Indeed, despite the potential for high salaries, the cost of obtaining a law degree can be significant. According to the American Bar Association, the average law school graduate in the U.S. carries more than $160,000 in student loan debt.

Similarly, the CEW study found that, four years after completing their degree, law school graduates owe almost $120,000 in student debt loans at the median. In fact, at 6 out of 10 law schools, at least half of the graduates had loan balances equal to what they were at graduation. Or those balances had even increased three years, post-degree completion.

“Law schools are notoriously expensive. Graduates leave law schools with a median debt burden of $118,500, and lower earnings make it harder to pay back this debt,” said CEW’s Morris. “The consequences of six-figure debt are also far-reaching for law school graduates, impacting their ability to purchase a home, start a family, and achieve other traditional markers of success.”

In recent years, U.S. law schools have experienced some volatility, with student enrollments falling 11% in fall 2022 after a prior surges, according to the American Bar Association. However, with regard to jobs, the CEW study expects the future of the legal profession to remain stable. While the full impact of AI on the sector has yet to be realized, job opportunities are expected to increase, with projections of the total number of jobs associated with legal occupations rising from 1.26 million to 1.41 million between 2021 and 2031.

The pipeline of students is looking stable as well. According to Law School Admission Council data , applications for the 2024 admissions cycle have decreased about 1.7% compared with last year. Almost half of law schools experienced increases in applications, while almost half had decreases, and seven showed no change from last year.

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Former NFL player Daniel Muir's mother-in-law accuses him of hitting 14-year-old son, now missing

Indiana State Police are asking for help locating the 14-year-old son of former NFL player Daniel Muir after the boy’s grandmother alleged his father gave him a black eye and split lip.

Bryson Muir was picked up by his parents from a relative’s home near Cleveland on June 16, but Bryson was not with them when police pulled their car over shortly afterward, authorities said. Indiana State Police said in a news release it was contacted by the Cass County Department of Child Services for assistance in investigating allegations of domestic battery.

His parents, Daniel and Kristin Muir, initially cooperated with authorities but on Friday backed out of an agreement to bring Bryson to meet with investigators, state police said.

A silver alert was issued for Bryson, who is “considered missing and endangered.” Indiana State Police said that the case is “ongoing” and no charges have been filed.

Kristin Muir's mother, Cheryl Wright, told NBC affiliate WTHR of Indianapolis that it was from her home Bryson was last seen leaving and that she contacted police because she saw her grandson with a black eye, a fat lip and a swollen face.

“He just said that his dad did it, but he wasn’t angry, but he wasn’t angry at his father,” Wright said. “He told me that he deserved it and it was OK. So I told him that it wasn’t and that nobody should beat their children like that, not if they love them.”

A photo included in Bryson’s silver alert shows the 14-year-old with a bruised eye. According to WTHR, Wright shared that photo with police.

Wright said she picked up Bryson near Toledo at the request of her daughter, noting that the Muirs were with an unidentified man at the time. When they came to pick up Bryson days later, Wright called the police.

“Bryson is, I believe, somewhere else, and they just don’t want to bring him back, maybe they don’t want the police to see his face,” Wright said.

Police described Bryson as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 185 pounds, with black hair with brown eyes.

NBC News was unable to reach Daniel Muir at the numbers listed for him in public records. He did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on the abuse allegations.

WTHR also noted that several attempts to reach the couple were unsuccessful.

Daniel Muir is a former NFL defensive tackle, having played for multiple teams from 2007 to 2014. His ESPN profile says he was signed to the Indianapolis Colts for four seasons. According to The Indianapolis Star , the former player gave motivational speeches after retirement.

Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.

Looking forward and back as the Civil Rights Act turns 60

The law ended segregation, extended lives and improved public education. its full promise remains unrealized, activists say..

It's been 60 years since the 1964 Civil Rights Act was signed into law.

Across the country, civil rights groups, scholars and others have commemorated the landmark law with panels, comprehensive reports and rallies. Many have cited its impact and other federal laws that came in its wake, including one protecting the right to vote for all citizens and another banning discrimination in housing.

“It propelled a movement that was able to make major civil rights gains,’’ said Melanie Campbell, president of the nonpartisan National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

The law outlawed segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, called the law “transformative.”

“It has not just only changed the arc for Black people. It has changed the arc for women and for other people of color in a profound way,’’ he said.

Dig deeper: Timeline: US leaders have pledged to eradicate racism time and again. They keep falling short.

USA TODAY invited nearly a dozen leaders of national organizations to share their take on how far the country has come since the act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964. They also shared how far they think the U.S . has to go to achieve the full promise of the law.

Extended lives, improved educational success, helped people get better jobs

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Imagine a sweeping set of laws ushered in that extended lives, improved educational success for kids, and helped people get better jobs. We’d not only celebrate it – we'd protect it. We have that law today.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 added years, literally about three to four years, onto the life expectancy of Black people when health care had to open its once-segregated doors.

More Black students saw their education improve, while white students continued on the same educational footing. It helped to reduce “intense segregation” – schools with 10% or less white students – of Black students in Southern schools from 78% in 1978 to 24% in 1988.

Thanks to employment protections, Black job opportunities, while still far from sufficient, got significantly better, with less of a wage gap and less of an employment gap.

Instead of seeing the tremendous advancement that the law – with lots of legal and community activism – has produced, federal courts and right-wing advocacy groups are attacking the gains we’ve made by using division rather than multiplication.

We should multiply its use rather than divide people by claiming what is good for people of color is bad for people who are white.

Progress is not simply possible – we are living proof

Kelley Robinson , president of the Human Rights Campaign

At moments like these, I can’t help but think of my family – the first free Black family in a little town called Muscatine, Iowa. My great-aunt Bert, our matriarch, passed away recently at the young age of 102, and we went back to that little town to celebrate her homegoing.

There, we told the story of how Great-Aunt Bert sat at the feet of those who had been born into slavery. We told the story of how we made our way from bondage in Mississippi and Louisiana to freedom in Muscatine.

That was two generations ago. Now, I am the first queer, Black woman to serve as President of the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.

Progress is not simply possible – we are living proof of it. Our ancestors were jailed, beaten, and bled because they knew a better future was worth fighting for. They would be proud to see us standing tall today, but they would remind us that our work is far from over.

Today, bullies want to strip us of our hard-earned freedoms and roll back progress. As we mark 60 years since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we must honor those who came before us, like Great-Aunt Bert, by recommitting to our fight for freedom and justice – without exception.

Still need to protect the civil liberties of all citizens

John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund

It has been 60 years since passage of Civil Rights Act, but the struggle for fair treatment remains.

Native Americans still face the type of discrimination that motivated the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and we still see a failure to uphold our treaty rights under U.S. law.

At the Native American Rights Fund, we have been challenging the unfair treatment that Native Americans have been subjected to for far too long. For example, throughout Indian Country, Native Americans have to overcome unreasonable barriers just to cast a ballot. Election services can be over 50 miles away and there is still no residential mail delivery on many Native American reservations.

States are also passing laws intended to disenfranchise Native Americans, especially after Native Americans exercise political power. We have also seen an uptick in discriminatory practices – last year a hotel instituted a no Native Americans allowed policy , which brought a legal challenge from the Department of Justice under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This blatant discrimination occurs too often.

It has been 60 years, but we still need to protect the civil liberties of all citizens and hold the government to its word.

A conservative perspective: We've gone too far

Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America 

The Civil Rights Act was an extraordinary accomplishment, outlawing discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, and national origin and securing all Americans’ participation in our society. For the first time, a colorblind society was codified into law. 

But today, the Civil Rights Act is in bad shape. College campuses discriminate against certain racial groups in the admissions process in clear violation of the law. Mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion courses force workers to treat their co-workers differently based on the color of their skin. Some federal programs have been restricted to minority applicants and religious employers have been hit with penalties . 

The law is a teacher, and for decades, Americans learned the lesson of the Civil Rights Act: every American deserves equal treatment and respect. But in recent years, many have forgotten that lesson, replacing equality under the law with equity of outcomes. Moving forward, our leaders must reverse the trend and commemorate this anniversary by abandoning discriminatory policies.  

Our 'abiding commitment to freedom' is being undermined

Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League

When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he said it represented “a more abiding commitment to freedom, a more constant pursuit of justice, and a deeper respect for human dignity.”

A century after the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Act ushered in a transformative era of open doors and unprecedented access.

But the backlash triggered by the racial justice uprising of 2020 presents the gravest threat to the Civil Rights Act in its 60-year history.

Our “abiding commitment to freedom” is undermined by discriminatory voting laws and gerrymandering.

Our “pursuit of justice” is derailed by persistent racism in policing and sentencing and the dismantling of diversity and inclusion policies.

Our “respect for human dignity” is betrayed by an unraveling social safety net and economic policies that uplift the wealthy at the expense of working families.

My predecessor, Whitney M. Young, was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act. He advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, developing a “Domestic Marshall Plan” that Johnson incorporated into his Great Society program.

The National Urban League remains committed to his legacy, working to uproot the racial divisions embedded in our institutions and realize the promise of 1964.

Souls lost to exploitation and racism

Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens

In the early 1900s, Mexican and Native American villages were burned by rangers in the South in the name of ''expansion.'' We’ve seen the tears and heartbreak of those who have lost loved ones to senseless violence like the victims of the Uvalde school shooting or the physical abuse that was experienced by people of color at the hands of individuals with no respect for human life.

Souls lost to exploitation and racism.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, founded in 1929, is the oldest Latino civil rights grassroots organization in the U.S. Throughout our history, we have significantly influenced legislation on education, immigration, military issues and gun safety.

On the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, we are reminded the work is ongoing. As we see an unidentified sea of individuals crossing the border from all over the world, we continue to urge government leaders for immigration reform for those who left their countries of origin and who have no rights there ‒ and now here. It is our mission to contribute to the American fabric and we remain committed to the American dream.

But the question remains where do we go from here? In 60 years, some things have changed and others remain the same. It is vital that Latinos and our allies come together. As the saying goes ‒ "El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido" (The people united will never be defeated).

Every generation makes progress

John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice ‒ AAJC

To commemorate the anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is an honor we do not take lightly at Asian Americans Advancing Justice ‒ AAJC. At the time the 1964 legislation was signed into law, it was groundbreaking in prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

In the early 1960s, Asian Americans were only 0.5% of the population. Our community benefited from the Black Civil Rights Movement successes of the 1950s and 60s. The solidarity shown by Black civil rights leaders for Asian Americans demonstrated the success of intersectional/collective activism in civil rights movements. Even as Asian Americans have grown to represent 7% of the population, the 1964 Civil Rights Act serves as a reminder of progress made and the distance we have yet to travel to achieve true equity.

Every generation makes progress toward the goal of true equity in this country, but none of us will realize the full impact of laws like the Civil Rights Act until and unless we work collectively with the Black community to stop the rollback of our rights and realize the dream of a fair and equitable society for all.

We still have a very long way to go

Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

When theCivil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law, it was described by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the “Second Emancipation.”  

The Act banned segregation, barred discrimination by employers and labor unions, gave way to the formation of the EEOC; and paved the way for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Fair Housing Act of 1968. 

Unfortunately, there are forces currently working tirelessly to reverse the rights and freedoms established by The Act . 

Last year, there was a “reverse discrimination” ruling by the Supreme Court, Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard, restricting affirmative action efforts by public colleges/universities. This unjust ruling restricts the historic affirmative action efforts that have provided disadvantaged black and brown students the opportunity to attend the nation’s elite schools. Further, these same forces are using this case as an excuse to attack Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in the public and private sector.

These and other constant attacks on our voting rights and the rights of women to control our own bodies on a state level, requires those who believe in freedom, justice, equity, and equality for all to fight back at the ballot box and vote in record numbers in 2024 and beyond.

Channel discontent for a resurrection rather than an insurrection

Rev. William Barber, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign

In popular memory, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the legislative response to the demands of the March on Washington.

While it is true that the legislation would never have been won without that mass mobilization, the original demands of that march for “Jobs and Freedom” included an increase in the minimum wage for all Americans and the voting rights protections that would only be enshrined in the Voting Rights Act after the brutality of Bloody Sunday and the courageous Selma to Montgomery March of 1965. 

Sixty years later, we must be honest: the federal minimum wage, indexed for inflation, is lower than it was in 1964. What’s more, because the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in its 2013 Shelby decision and Congress has failed to remedy it, we have less voting rights protections today than we did on August 6, 1965.

The celebration of historic wins alongside this egregious decay is a source of discontent among everyday Americans. But we have no time for despair.

We are determined to channel discontent for a resurrection rather than an insurrection .

And we are committed to reach 15 million low-income voters who have the power to redefine this political moment as America's single-largest swing vote if they unite around an agenda that once again insists that everyone deserves a living wage and voting rights in the United States of America.

We're all created in the image of God

Rabbi Jonah Pesner , director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

In our Jewish tradition, equality is based on the concept that all of God's children are "created in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).

This precept has led the Jewish community to respond powerfully in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was drafted in large part in our building in Washington, D.C.  

However, racism, like antisemitism, has never been fully eradicated from our society; those who seek power weaponize it for their own nefarious purposes. We see it today in the forces of division that aim to restrict the freedom to vote by targeting communities of Color and other marginalized groups.

This blatant discrimination fuels the Reform Jewish Movement’s nonpartisan Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign to strengthen our democracy by encouraging and protecting voter participation.

Our work ties together our Jewish values with our commitment to protecting all minorities, including the many in our Jewish communities who have been targeted due to their intersectional identities as Jews of Color, people with disabilities, or members of the LGBTQ+ community.

As long as some seek to perpetuate racism and discrimination, we must continue to recommit ourselves to the sacred tenets of the Civil Rights Act.

It is all of our responsibility

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD

As we reflect on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act as a nation, I’m moved by how much progress we’ve made toward acceptance and equality as a society while still being reminded of how deeply racism and violence against communities of color persists, and how much work there is left to do.

Change is often born from the pain and outrage of individuals courageous enough to imagine and fight for a more just world. It’s impossible to talk about the quest for LGBTQ equality without first acknowledging the significant strides made within the civil rights movement and the historic interconnectedness between Black and LGBTQ communities.

The revolutionary Stonewall Uprising of 1969 was spearheaded by LGBTQ people of color. Progress for the acceptance and equality of LGBTQ people over the past 51 years would not be possible if not for the path paved by civil rights leaders before us.

It is all of our responsibility to speak out against racism and systemic injustice and to continue elevating voices and amplifying stories of people of color, especially those who are Black, queer, and transgender.

In the words of (activist) Marsha P. Johnson , "No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us."

We must take an active role in protecting its legacy

Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, it’s important that we understand the journey that lies ahead of us.

While the law was a first step, it was not until the amended legislation passed in 1965 that we truly began to make significant strides toward equality and justice. It’s also important to understand that the culture of racism is deeply embedded in the country’s foundation. That’s why, as systemic racism continues to manifest in many forms, the promises of the legislation have yet to be fulfilled for all Black Americans.

While Black Americans continue to fall victim to a system that has, at many times, posed insurmountable barriers to progress, we also face mounting threats to the right to effect change.

As of today, more than 40 states have enacted anti-protest laws. And almost half of the country will face new restrictions to the ballot box in November.

The anniversary comes at a critical time. Will we push forward or revert to a time where the color of our skin is used as justification for the degradation of fundamental freedoms?

If we are to truly honor this historic legislation and the pathway it created, we must take an active role in protecting its legacy while building a brighter future. We must reject politicians who deny the fact that Black history is American history or who seek to deny our community the right to have a seat in corporate conference rooms or the halls of Congress.

We must band together, striving towards a time where the promises of our Constitution are fulfilled for every American.

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Phd in law: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in law.

A PhD in law, commonly known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), is a postgraduate academic degree that normally represents the greatest level of education one can obtain in the discipline of law.

It is a research-oriented degree intended for those interested in pursuing advanced studies in legal research, theory, and scholarship.

Individuals who already have a law degree, such as a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Master of Laws (LLM), who are interested in pursuing a career in legal academia or undertaking research in law-related disciplines, typically pursue a PhD in law.

Advanced courses in legal theory, research methodologies, and specialized fields of law are frequently required, as is the completion of a major and unique research effort, usually in the form of a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Law?

Individuals with a PhD in law’s earning potential might vary substantially based on criteria such as the country or location of work, the type of institution or organization, the amount of experience, and the subject of expertise.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for postsecondary law teachers in the United States was $126,930 in May 2020, with the top 10% making more than $197,230.

However, it is crucial to remember that salaries can vary greatly depending on criteria such as the academic position’s rank, the institution’s location, and the individual’s level of experience and competence.

Earning potential with a PhD in law might also vary substantially in other legal fields, such as government, private practice, or non-profit organizations.

Legal researchers or policy analysts, for example, may earn wages ranging from moderate to high, depending on the organization’s budget and the individual’s level of knowledge.

Individuals with a PhD in law who work in private law firms may earn varied wages depending on their function, amount of experience, and the size, location, and practice area of the firm.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Law?

Job growth for those having a PhD in law might vary depending on factors such as country or location, field of concentration, and demand for legal skills in various sectors. Individuals holding a PhD in law may be able to find work in academia, research institutions, government, non-profit organizations, and private practice.

Individuals holding a PhD in law may be able to find work in academia, research institutions, government, non-profit organizations, and private practice.

For example, in academia, for example, the availability of tenure-track posts, research funding, and enrollment trends in law schools or universities may all influence job growth for law professors or legal scholars. Job growth in academia can be competitive and varies depending on the institution’s location and reputation, as well as the demand for legal instruction and research.

What can you do with a PhD in Law?

Individuals with a PhD in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), can pursue a wide range of job options. Individuals with a PhD in law may pursue the following careers:

1. Academic careers: Many law PhD holders choose to work as law professors or legal scholars at universities or research institutions. They may teach law courses, do research, write academic papers and books, and contribute to the progress of legal knowledge in their area of specialization. Academic positions in law schools, universities, research institutes, and think tanks may be offered.

2. Legal research and policy analysis: Legal researchers and policy analysts with a PhD can work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks. They may perform legal research, study laws and policies, provide legal advice, and help build legal frameworks and policy recommendations in areas such as human rights, international law, environmental law, and social justice.

3. Legal consulting: Law PhD holders can act as legal consultants, providing specific legal advice to private enterprises, corporations, or organizations. They may provide legal counsel, legal research, produce legal documents, and strategic direction on legal concerns and ramifications.

4. Legal advocacy: Some people with a PhD in law act as legal advocates, representing clients in court, litigating, or lobbying for legal reforms. They may work in law firms, non-profit organizations, or advocacy groups, and they may specialize in civil rights, criminal justice, immigration law, or public interest law.

5. Government and public service: People with a PhD in law can serve as legal counsel, policy consultants, or legislative analysts in government agencies. They may help to establish and execute laws and regulations, advise government officials, and conduct legal research and analysis to help guide decision-making.

6. Entrepreneurial initiatives: Some law PhD holders may choose to launch their own legal consulting businesses, research centers, or other law-related entrepreneurial ventures. This could include offering specialized legal services, producing legal software or instruments, or coming up with creative solutions to legal problems.

7. International organizations: Individuals with a PhD in law may work with international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, or other intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations, where they can contribute to legal research, policy creation, and legal advocacy on global concerns.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Law?

The specific requirements for a Ph.D. in law can vary depending on the program and institution. However, here are some general bullet points that may outline the common requirements for obtaining a Ph.D. in law:

• Completion of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic background, typically with high grades and academic achievements.
• Demonstrated research skills, including the ability to conduct independent and original research.
• Proficiency in legal research methods, legal writing, and critical analysis.
• Submission of a research proposal or statement of purpose outlining the intended research topic or area of study.
• Completion of coursework, seminars, and/or workshops related to legal research and methodology.
• Successful completion of comprehensive exams or qualifying exams.

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How long does it take to get a phd in law.

The length of a PhD in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), varies based on the country, the specific program, and the individual’s progress toward completion. A PhD in law, on the other hand, normally takes 3 to 5 years to finish.

Several factors can influence the length of a PhD in law program, including the complexity of the research topic, the time required to conduct original research, the availability of funding and resources, and the individual’s ability to meet program requirements and milestones on time.

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Do you need a masters in law to get a phd in law.

In most situations, a Master’s degree in law (such as an LL.M.) is not required in order to pursue a Ph.D. in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD).

The particular prerequisites for admission to a Ph.D. in law program, on the other hand, can vary based on the country, program, and institution awarding the degree.

Some Ph.D. programs in law may require or prefer applicants to have a Master’s degree in law or a related area, but others may admit students directly from a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree program.

Applicants without a Master’s degree in law may be required to complete additional courses or meet other requirements throughout the Ph.D. program to compensate for any gaps in their academic background.

They may be required to take basic courses in legal theory, research methodologies, or other relevant areas, for example. This can, however, differ depending on the program’s criteria and the individual’s academic background.

What are the Best PhD in Law Degree programs?

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What the Civil Rights Act Really Meant

An overlooked effect of the legislation, passed 60 years ago this week, was its powerful message of hope for Black Americans.

S ixty years ago this week, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a monumental piece of legislation that forever changed the nature of race and gender in American society. In the decades since, legal scholars have offered hundreds of interpretations of the law, but none more powerful than the words of the young Black students who attended the Mississippi Freedom Schools that opened just days after Johnson signed the bill. Perhaps the law’s most important lesson for us today is rooted in the students’ efforts to explain how it would affect their future.

The Freedom School students imagined new dreams for their lives based on the messages conveyed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although the law did not immediately resolve America’s painful legacy of racial injustice, it did embody a wave of hope. Today, however, legislators in dozens of states are in a frenzied rush to pass laws that do the opposite for America’s youth: Animated by right-wing activists, lawmakers across the nation are seeking to ban the teaching of parts of U.S. history that they deem “ divisive .”

Many of the lessons once taught in the Mississippi Freedom Schools would certainly fall under these bans. In fact, some of the very same books used to empower Freedom School students have already been censored in parts of America. In blocking access to the most potent form of intellectual empowerment, legislators convey clear societal values, especially in places such as Alabama and Tennessee , where state legislatures have passed laws to protect monuments to the Confederacy.

Although young people may not understand the complicated legal implications of new legislation, they can certainly discern broader cultural meanings behind our laws. Most of today’s young children won’t follow debates over school segregation and private-school vouchers, or even the laws dictating classroom content or efforts to ban books. But young people can sense when they are being devalued. Like the Freedom School students of 1964, they understand that laws have expressive functions. Today’s young people, too, should have the chance to know what the Civil Rights Act means for them.

Vann Newkirk II: Revisiting America’s most radical experiment

T hat summer of 1964, more than 2,000 young Black Mississippians attended one of some 40 Freedom Schools that operated across the state. These schools were organized by a coalition of civil-rights activists to supplement the inferior education available to Black youths in Mississippi’s public schools, which remained segregated until fall of that year, when the Civil Rights Act finally forced Mississippi to begin to comply with school desegregation. Those young Black people lived in a state that tightly controlled and censored the subjects that could be taught in regular Mississippi schools. Teachers were surveilled and barred from belonging to such organizations as the NAACP.

Every child who attended a Freedom School experienced racism on a daily basis. In addition to public harassment and the prospect of violence, these youths grew up in segregated neighborhoods and attended underfunded schools, and their hometowns were filled with Confederate monuments as well as with streets and parks named for slave owners and Klansmen.

And yet, a century on from the Civil War, they were also living in a moment of transition. Their time in Freedom School coincided with the first days of the Civil Rights Act.

Freedom Schools exposed Black students to history lessons that connected them with inspirational heroes such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. The experience also offered a path to empowerment by explaining the systems and laws that created the stark racial inequalities between Black and white Mississippians. In Freedom School, students learned about Reconstruction and the historical origins of racial discrimination—lessons that dispelled the myths of white supremacy by showing how carefully Mississippi’s racial hierarchy had been shaped and curated.

Emboldened by these lessons, Freedom School students wrote thousands of essays, articles, and poems expressing their feelings about race. The things they wrote are held in archives in dozens of institutions across the country, as I found while researching my 2015 book, To Write in the Light of Freedom . Many of these students were indignant about the whitewashed histories taught in public schools, and they gave credit to the Freedom School for helping open their eyes. A junior-high-school-aged girl named Linda wrote, “We have been taught that the white man was responsible for the abolishing of slavery, but that is false. What about the Negro abolitionists?” And she concluded, “The reason for my coming out of the darkness is by attending Freedom Schools.” Another student compared the Freedom School experience to “having the lights turned on after you have lived all your life in a darkened room.” That type of intellectual liberation was one of the most profound products of the civil-rights movement, in Mississippi and beyond.

Almost immediately after the Civil Rights Act became law, the students began discussing its implications for their own life. A pair of junior-high-school kids in Hattiesburg wrote, “I am glad that the Civil Rights Bill was passed because whites can go to any show. And we could go to any show they go to.” One of their classmates wrote, “I know that the white people are angry because the civil rights laws has passed, but I am very glad because we are able to go to cafes and shows, we will have better school books and most of all we will have the opportunity to go to better schools.” Another 13-year-old expressed this complaint about Hattiesburg: “The one thing I don’t like is these Jim Crow restaurants. What I mean by that is these places where they allow no one but white skinned people to eat and not people with black skins. Since the bill passed I eat where I want to.”

Some of the more forward-thinking Freedom School students shared still-loftier dreams. “Now that the Civil rights Law has been passed,” wrote a junior-high-school student from Palmer’s Crossing, “I pray and hope for a better America, and a better Mississippi in which to live.” As Archie Richard of Benton County wrote, with a 12-year-old’s syntax and spelling but with absolute clarity of vision:

Now that the civil rights bill have been signed, we children going to school have a better chance of learning the different subjects we wish to, if we put our minds to it. We can finish school, go to college, and make a new start in life. We hope and pray that everything works out okay that we all can work and play together—Whites and Negroes—in the name of the Lord.

Molly Ball: No, the Voting Rights Act is not dead

M ore than 30 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the legal scholar Cass Sunstein argued for understanding “the expressive function of law” when considering the effects of legislation. Sunstein, who was the same age as the Freedom School students but of a very different background, articulated a legal philosophy that reflected the experience of Black Mississippians in 1964. Laws matter, Sunstein argued, not only for the process of “controlling behavior” but also for “making statements” to members of society.

Today’s renewed efforts to censor the topics taught in American classrooms reek of the very Jim Crow system that civil-rights activists sought to strike down. In a healthier democracy, and in a freer and more open country, we would pass more laws like the 1964 Civil Rights Act. When he signed the bill into law, President Johnson praised its “abiding commitment to freedom, a more constant pursuit of justice, and a deeper respect for human dignity.” Like the Freedom School students of 1964, the children of the 21st century deserve laws that express messages of hope.