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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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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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• School of Law

Ph.D. in Law PhD in Law

A Ph.D. requires a minimum of three years' study, at least two years of which comprises work done while in residence at the University of Washington. Students enter the Ph.D. program having already identified a dissertation supervisory chair and additional committee members (referred to as the student’s Doctoral Supervisory Committee), who will support and shepherd them through the Ph.D. curriculum and dissertation writing process.

Ph.D. candidates must complete 90 credits, at least 60 of which must be taken at the University of Washington, in order to receive a doctoral degree.

I. Requirements

Overall course requirements.

Ph.D. students must successfully complete a minimum of 90 credits including at least 60 course credits and 27 dissertation credits (LAW 800—minimum two credit hours per quarter). With the approval of the Ph.D. Program Director and Steering Committee, an appropriate master’s degree from an accredited institution may substitute for up to a maximum of 30 of the course credits.   This determination of substituting master’s credits takes place at the time when the presumptive chair agrees that the Ph.D. student’s prospectus is ready to defend at a General Examination.   The 60 course credits also include courses required by the School of Law as described immediately below.

Required Competencies:

The primary requirement is the production of a dissertation that, in the opinion of the Ph.D. Doctoral Supervisory Committee, represents a novel and significant contribution to the discipline of law. In addition, Ph.D. students are required to demonstrate competencies in four areas: 

• Understanding of common law legal systems and differences between major legal systems around the world.
• An understanding of a research methodology area relevant to the topic of their dissertation research.
• Subject matter expertise in the area of their dissertation research.
• The ability to present and discuss the results of their dissertation research.

An understanding of common law legal systems and differences between major legal systems around the world

This requirement will be satisfied by 8 credits of coursework as follows:

• Required course: B550 American Legal Systems and Methods (4 credits) or equivalent
• Additionally, students will have to complete B557 Graduate Writing Seminar (4 credits) or the equivalent to demonstrate understanding of the American legal system.

Research Methodology

Broadly speaking, modern academic legal research is supported by one or more of the following:  jurisprudential approaches, qualitative approaches, quantitative approaches. Competency will be satisfied by at least 3-4 credits of coursework as follows, chosen in consultation with the supervisory chair:

• PPM 502 Research Design (4)
• EDPSY 586 Qualitative Methods of Educational Research I (4 credits)
• ARCH 567 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• CS&SS 536 Analysis of Categorical and Count Data (3)
• LAWA 595 Jurisprudence and Moral Philosophy (4)

Elective courses: Law A599 Legal Research Methods (3 credits), Law   A 549 Advanced Legal Research   (4 Credits) 

Subject Matter Expertise (10-12 credits of subject discipline required courses)

The remaining courses to fulfill the credit requirement are to be chosen based on the Ph.D. student’s dissertation research topic. For instance, students with a focus on intellectual property must complete that discipline’s required courses. The same is true for sustainable international development, health law, etc.

Presentation/Discussion Competency

The presentation/discussion competency will be satisfied by successful completion of the general and final examination process described below.

Other Requirements

Law 600 tutorial with supervisory chair (1-2 credits per quarter).

In addition to the above requirements, students are expected to take 1-2 Law 600 credits with their supervisory chair per quarter to facilitate regular communication during the time leading up to their general exam. The chair will monitor the student’s academic progress and advise on appropriate courses to be taken (at the law school and in other departments on campus) related to the Ph.D. student’s research.

First- and Second-Year Elective Courses

All Ph.D. students are expected and encouraged to take subject-matter courses relevant to their dissertation research topic as part of their 60 credits of coursework. There is a rich variety of courses available in the School of Law and in other schools and departments across the University of Washington campus. For example, the   Graduate School has a variety of graduate certificate programs   that not only may be pertinent to student’s research interests but may provide an additional credential to enhance a student’s academic portfolio.

II. General Examination

Completion of 60 course credits (up to 30 credits from an accredited LL.M. or other pertinent master's degree may be counted toward the 90-credit total) and a Dissertation Prospectus approved by the Doctoral Supervisory Committee are required prior to this exam.

Students must pass an oral   General Examination   designed around individualized readings determined in consultation with the student’s Doctoral Supervisory Committee, and a Dissertation Prospectus that contains the student’s detailed dissertation study plans, including research questions and the chosen methodology and study plan to answer them.

To be eligible for the General Exam, the student must have completed a minimum of 60 course credits (including credits being taken the quarter of the exam) of which at least 18 credits must be at the 500 level and above. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 quarter credits of coursework taken at the University of Washington. The Graduate School accepts numerical grades in department approved 400-level courses accepted as part of the major and in 500-level courses (this excludes 499 credits). 

Students are required to write and successfully defend a Dissertation Prospectus that outlines a detailed plan for the Ph.D. dissertation. The General Examination tests the student’s understanding of, and facility with, the scholarly literature that relates to the proposed dissertation topic, along with the strength of the proposed research proposal and its design.

III. Final Examination (Doctoral Defense)

In addition to a successful General Examination, the Ph.D. candidate must complete at least 27 dissertation credits over a period of at least three quarters. Candidates total credit count must reach 90 and they must have completed their doctoral dissertation.

To complete the degree, the candidate must complete a   Dissertation Defense   (also known as the   Final Examination ) administered by the Supervisory Doctoral Committee and devoted to the presentation and defense of the dissertation. It should be noted that the Graduate School requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA to obtain a graduate degree. For the final Dissertation Defense, students must get their committee members’ signatures on the UW Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee Approval form and submit that before the end of the quarter (the form will be provided at or prior to the student’s defense and submission instructions are on the form). More detailed information is on the Ph.D. Program’s Canvas page.

Students must be registered and may not be on leave during the quarter that the General and Final Examinations are taken.

IV. Official Submission

After a successful Final Examination, the dissertation must be submitted in the required format to the University of Washington Graduate School by 11:59 p.m. PST on the  last day of the quarter . The PhD Candidate must be registered and may not be on leave during the quarter that the dissertation is submitted.

For details of degree requirements please see Graduate School Policies-Doctoral Degree .

Ph.D. in Law

• Current Ph.D.s in Law
• PhD Admissions

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