online phd law

The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

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Updated October 24, 2023

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A doctorate in legal studies considers research methods, legal theory, justice policy, and jurisprudence as they pertain to legal institutions and the legal profession. Many programs prepare legal professionals and practicing attorneys to expand their expertise into specific areas of law, including maritime law, intellectual property law, and human rights law. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 8% growth for postsecondary instructors , including those in criminal justice and law, between 2022 and 2032. Use this guide to learn more about what you can expect from an online doctorate program in legal studies.

For more degree and career info, jump to:

• Choosing an Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Program
• What Else Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Program?

Careers with a Doctorate in Legal Studies

Legal phd programs for you.

Because numerous types of degrees fall under the umbrella of “Doctorate in Legal Studies,” the following sections display top-ranked programs from several related ranking articles on our website. To learn more about these different degrees, follow the link at the end of each section to their corresponding ranking article.

• Criminal Justice
• Homeland Security
• Public Administration

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

#1 The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

California University of Pennsylvania

• California, PA
• Online + Campus

The online doctor of criminal justice program at California University of Pennsylvania ranks as one of the field's best degrees. The public university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate in a flexible format. Doctoral students also benefit from research support, career advising, and library access.

After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates propose a dissertation topic and conduct research in their specialty area. As the field's terminal degree, the doctoral program trains graduates for roles in academia, research, and industry.

Doctoral students attending the accredited institution online qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid.

California University of Pennsylvania at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 4,367

Online Master's Programs: 13

Online Doctoral Programs: 2

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,288

Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available

#2 The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

National University

• San Diego, CA

The Ph.D. in homeland security leadership and policy at Northcentral University offers a doctorate in an online learning format. Degree-seekers benefit from flexible course options through the private institution. Doctoral students meet with career advisors and faculty mentors.

The online program requires a minimum of 82 credits of doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates spend 1-2 years researching and writing their dissertation. A doctorate can lead to job opportunities in research, academia, and leadership.

Doctoral students qualify for fellowships, scholarships, and federal financial aid programs at the accredited institution. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid.

National University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: Data not available

Online Master's Programs: 26

Online Doctoral Programs: 15

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,983

Accepts Transfer Credits: Accepted

#3 The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

Walden University

• Minneapolis, MN

Walden University offers a Ph.D. in criminal justice program with an online learning format. Thanks to a flexible format, the private institution makes it easier to complete a doctorate. Doctoral students also benefit from research support, career advising, and library access.

After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. With a doctorate in, professionals may work in academia, research, and leadership roles.

Doctoral students qualify for federal financial aid and fellowships at the accredited institution. Contact the program for more information about doctoral admissions.

Walden University at a Glance:

Online Master's Programs: 39

Online Doctoral Programs: 20

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $12,039

#4 The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

• Colorado Springs, CO

The online doctor of management in homeland security program, offered by Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, ranks as a top program in the field. At the private institution, degree-seekers take doctoral classes in a flexible format. Doctoral students engage in advanced research and benefit from support services.

Degree-seekers move through the program by passing exams and researching a dissertation project. As the field's highest degree, the doctorate trains graduates for academic, research, and leadership careers.

The accredited institution meets federal requirements for financial aid support. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid.

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 27,043

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 31-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $13,710

#5 The Best Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Programs

California Baptist University

• Riverside, CA

Doctoral students seeking an online program benefit from the doctor of public administration program at California Baptist University. Degree-seekers benefit from the flexible enrollment options at the private university. Doctoral students engage in advanced research and benefit from support services.

During the online program, learners complete advanced coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. A doctorate prepares graduates for roles in research, academia, and leadership.

At the accredited institution, doctoral students qualify for several forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about admission requirements.

California Baptist University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 6,112

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $12,830

See more of the Best Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Degree Programs .

Choosing a Doctorate in Legal Studies Program

50 Best Online Colleges & Universities Earning a doctorate in legal studies online give you extensive training in research and scholarship as you pursue coursework on legal theory and practice. You acquire knowledge applicable to personal and professional goals, with many programs providing you the opportunity to tailor the program to a particular subset of law.

The interdisciplinary nature of a legal studies doctoral program provides you with exposure to legal subfields across historical and geographical boundaries. Corporate law professionals, for example, can explore the intricacies of finance and commerce law, while civic-minded legal activists can focus on environmental or human rights law.

Legal studies and law doctoral degrees require two to three years of coursework with at least one additional year to write a dissertation. Coursework prepares you to conduct research necessary for your dissertation. You will also develop a research proposal with faculty and work closely with advisors.

Some programs give you the opportunity to teach undergraduate students and participate in mock trials. Students also complete comprehensive oral or written exams over all of the classes taken. This demonstrates your expert knowledge of standards, practices, and principles of legal studies. Students must pass these exams and complete a dissertation to graduate.

What Else Can I Expect from an Online Doctorate in Legal Studies Program?

Doctoral programs in legal studies vary by school and department. Some classes remain consistent across the curriculum, but many degrees offer you the chance to concentrate on a particular segment of law, legal institutions, or jurisprudence. Programs that allow you to structure your program based on individual interests also give you practical knowledge applicable to your personal and professional goals.

Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Legal Studies

• Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Corporate lawyer, human rights lawyer, corporate negotiator
• Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Criminal justice professor, law school professor, law school administrator, legal researcher
• Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Law school professor, legal scholar and researcher

Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Legal Studies

• Research Methods: Research methods courses train students to use qualitative and quantitative research techniques to gather data in anticipation of their dissertation. Students use research tools, including statistics and ethnographic software.
• Jurisprudence: Coursework on jurisprudence provides students with the history and philosophy of law to understand its current application. Students assess their own relationships with law and justice as well. Jurisprudence classes may involve activities such as moot court.
• Anthropology of Law: A course on the anthropology of law focuses on the relationship between law and society. Students learn about the interactions of culture, people, and institutions in the context of regulations, legal applications, and ethical norms.
• Current Issues and Trends in Law: Students learn about contemporary matters related to law and legal policy through extensive readings, in-depth discussions, and individual research. Classes may focus on a specific topic such as finance, management, human rights, or private law.
• Law and Morality: Law and morality classes emphasize the relationship between individual choice, dilemma, and law. Students study the nature of law as well as scenarios and case studies to assess how people make decisions when faced with punishment, penalty, or ethical conflict.

A doctorate in legal studies prepares you for careers that require expertise in research, analytical, and critical-thinking skills. You gain the knowledge needed to make ethical and informed decisions in a legal setting, and increase your potential career growth in academia, government, and business.

• Median Annual Salary: $80,840
• Projected Growth Rate (2022-2032): 8%
• Median Annual Salary: $97,250
• Projected Growth Rate (2022-2032): 0.4%
• Median Annual Salary: $135,740

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Best Accredited Online Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Programs

Which are the best online Juris Doctorate programs in the United States? We help you find the top ABA-accredited online law degree programs.

Key Takeaways

The best online juris doctorate law degree programs are hybrids and require some parts of the program to be completed on-campus. many of the on-campus portions of an online juris doctorate law degree program can be completed during weekend sessions. to qualify to sit for the bar exam, an online juris doctorate law degree program must be aba-accredited., best online juris doctorate degree programs, syracuse university, university of denver, loyola university chicago, university of new hampshire, seton hall university, cleveland state university, university of dayton, southwestern law school, mitchell hamline school of law, touro university.

• University of New Hampshire 87%
• Cleveland State University 85%
• Loyola University Chicago 79%
• University of Denver 78%
• Seton Hall University 75%
• University of Dayton 74%
• Touro University 71%
• Syracuse University 52%
• Cleveland State University 16 to 1
• University of New Hampshire 16 to 1
• Syracuse University 15 to 1
• University of Dayton 15 to 1
• Seton Hall University 14 to 1
• Loyola University Chicago 13 to 1
• Touro University 9 to 1
• University of Denver 8 to 1
• Syracuse University $60,135
• University of Denver $56,439
• Loyola University Chicago $49,498
• Seton Hall University $48,960
• University of Dayton $46,170
• Touro University $21,170
• University of New Hampshire $15,520
• Cleveland State University $12,144
• University of Denver $55,260
• Syracuse University $43,428
• Mitchell Hamline School of Law $36,020
• Seton Hall University $33,528
• Loyola University Chicago $19,440
• Southwestern Law School $18,710
• University of Dayton $18,540
• University of New Hampshire $14,170
• Touro University $13,068
• Cleveland State University $10,627

The 10 Best Online JD Doctorate Degrees

This list was based on the American Bar Association’s list of accredited institutions. Our ranking is composed of the ten best online law degree JD programs with the following criteria in mind.

• Student support services
• Financial aid opportunities
• Popularity in rankings
• Reasonable tuition costs
• Networking opportunities
• Availability of online programs/courses
• Accreditation with colleges and schools commission agencies and academic organizations

These criteria, however, are not to say that the ABA-accredited law schools not included on the list are below average. All traditional and online law schools have their own strengths, but the following ten schools stood out the most during our evaluation.

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Tuition + fees

Student body

Median SAT/ACT

Syracuse University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• Communications
• Earth Sciences
• Social Work
• Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

• Clement Greenberg
• Joyce Carol Oates
• Megyn Kelly
• Ernest Becker
• George Saunders
• Marv Albert
• William Safire
• Story Musgrave
• Dorothy Thompson

The College of Law at Syracuse University offers different online law programs, including a JDinteractive , an online JD degree program. This program is in a part-time format that has to be completed in 4 years. The weekly self-paced classes allow students to have an extensive introduction to the content discussed in each live class session.

• Credit Hours: 87
• Program Duration: 4 years
• Format: Online
• Disability Law
• Innovation Law
• National Security Law

What We Love About Syracuse University

On top of the program’s asynchronous and synchronous online classes, students attend residential courses to give them the ability to work with their peers and gain critical skill-building experience.

Syracuse University is ideal for students who:

Are looking for a school with a diverse student body that offers a rich tapestry of perspectives, cultures, and experience.

Syracuse University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are looking for on-campus housing as the school only has a limited number of these.

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University of Denver’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Anthropology
• Religious Studies
• Huston Smith
• Mohammad Javad Zarif
• Robert Gilpin
• Margaret Singer
• Bruce Hoffman
• Katherine Anne Porter
• Condoleezza Rice
• Henry T. Lynch
• John L. Horn
• Njabulo Ndebele

Through the Sturm College of Law, the University of Denver offers a hybrid professional online JD program for working adult students. While this is a 90-semester-hour program, only one-third of it can be completed online. However, students can still have flexible on-campus class schedules thanks to the customizable on-campus courses. These courses are usually done on weekends.

• Credit Hours: 90
• Format: Hybrid

What We Love About the University of Denver

Students are allowed to enroll in certificate programs while earning their JD degree. These programs are tailored based on the legal interests of the students.

The University of Denver is ideal for students who:

Prefer to have a smaller class for a better experience.

The University of Denver might not be the best fit for students who:

Because the university is community oriented, students who don’t wish to join in the activities might feel better placed at a different school.

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Loyola University Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Marsha M. Linehan
• Norman Geisler
• Sandra Cisneros
• Levi Bryant
• Stuart Dybek
• Alphonso Lingis
• Shalanda Young
• Joseph Fitzmyer
• Wilton Daniel Gregory
• Fabian Udekwu
• Bob Newhart
• John Hardon

The Loyola University Chicago School of Law offers a weekend JD law degree . This is a combination of on-campus classes with one of the country’s best suppliers of online legal education.

• Credit Hours: 86

What We Love About Loyal University Chicago

Students can earn their JD degree without altering their present work-life schedules. They can also customize their degrees based on their goals and interests.

Loyola University Chicago is great for students who:

Want a vibrant campus life with a wide range of diverse student activities and engaging community events.

Loyola University Chicago might not be the best fit for students who:

Are not comfortable in an urban setting where shops, bars, and other cultural attractions are easily accessible because of the congestion and noise associated with it.

Loyola University Chicago’s Online Degrees

• Required Credits : 72
• Completion Time : None Reported
• Format : Online
• Required Credits : 66

Degree Concentrations

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Systems Leadership
• Required Credits : 30-80
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University of New Hampshire’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Computer Science
• Ronald Noble
• Jason Brennan
• Loren Coleman
• Jeffrey Snover
• Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
• James J. Martin
• Carlton Fisk
• Nathan Brody

Through the Franklin Pierce School of Law, the University of New Hampshire offers one of the best hybrid JD degree programs with the most financial aid opportunities. The program focuses heavily on technology law and intellectual law.

• Credit Hours: 85
• Intellectual Property
• Information Law

What We Love about the University of New Hampshire

Aside from having world-class faculty, students will learn from industry experts worldwide. This includes the Chief Patent Counsel for Microsoft or the Chief Counsel for Global Trademarks at Pepsi.

The University of New Hampshire is great for students who:

Loves to get involved with other students as everybody is naturally welcoming

The University of New Hampshire might not be the best choice for students who:

Are not partygoers, considering UNH is a party school with bars and restaurants close to campus

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Seton Hall University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Criminal Justice
• Artie Lange
• Chris Christie
• Dick Vitale
• John L. McNulty
• Max Weinberg
• Malcolm Diamond
• Brendan Byrne
• Charlie Haas
• Thomas Aloysius Boland
• Bill Raftery
• Patrick E. Hobbs
• John B. Duff

Seton Hall University has a hybrid JD degree program for students who wish to complete some coursework via distance learning on weekdays and on-campus classes on weekends. In the first two years, however, students are required to attend on-campus, but the scheduling becomes more flexible after that.

• Credit Hours: 88

What We Love About Seton Hall University

Students, especially the part-time ones, can work as community helpers and visit border detainees to offer legal assistance. They also write for the Incarcerated Persons Workforce Re-Entry and the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law.

Seton Hall University is ideal for students who:

Want to attend a strong university that offers great education, has a diverse student body, and a vibrant campus life.

Seton Hall University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are not into the social scene, as Seton Hall University has a very vibrant one, with so many events and parties that cater to different interests and tastes.

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Cleveland State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Engineering
• Annie Easley
• Dennis Kucinich
• Mitchell Silver
• Nina Turner
• James Harris
• Bryn Forbes
• Danielle Ripich
• George Nader
• Vlado Dimovski
• Karen Kovacik

The College of Law at Cleveland State University offers an online JD degree program . This 100% online coursework is one of the top-ranking online JD programs in the US and is considered one of the best value schools because of its affordable in-state and out-of-state students.

• Program Duration: 3 years

What We Love About Cleveland State University

Specialized classes are available for students who wish to tailor their degree. There are also courses in corporate compliance, commercial law, criminal law, space law, and cybersecurity.

Cleveland State University is great for students who:

Love a campus in an urban setting with the highest-tier academic programs.

Cleveland State University might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer an active residential student life/party school because CSU still has a generally large commuter population.

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University of Dayton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Richard Schoen
• Bruce Graham
• James P. Sterba
• David Bradley
• Erica Chenoweth
• Thomas Joseph Tobin
• Ahmed K. Elmagarmid
• Fred McBagonluri
• James A. Krumhansl
• Kristina Keneally
• Peter J. Phipps

The School of Law at the University of Dayton offers a hybrid JD degree program. Students will join weekly live online classes to complete their online coursework and visit the campus to get REAL Intensives, which are in-person learning opportunities.

What We Love About the University of Dayton

JD students can pursue their postgraduate Master of Laws (LLM) degree program without spending any additional money.

The University of Dayton is great for students who:

Want a large campus

The University of Dayton might not be the best fit for students who:

Are tight with their budget because the school does not have an affordable cost of attendance.

Southwestern Law School’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Gloria Allred
• William John Cox
• Tom Bradley
• Jerry O'Connell
• Gordon H. Smith

Southwestern Law School offers a hybrid JD program with on-campus and evening courses. Students are required to attend in-person two evenings per week and complete the remaining class sessions online.

• Program Duration: 3 to 4 years
• Concentrations:
• Civil Litigation & Advocacy
• Entertainment & Media Law
• Public Interest Law
• Technology Law & Entrepreneurship

What We Love About Southwestern Law School

This JD program is a very affordable and flexible program that allows students to pursue different concentrations, including Criminal Law and Advocacy, Criminal Litigation and Advocacy, Public Interest Law, and many more.

Southwestern Law School is great for students who:

Are looking for an affordable and flexible JD program

Southwestern Law Schools might not be the best fit for students who:

Only have a limited budget for their law school since Southwestern has a relatively high cost of attendance.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Rosalie E. Wahl

Mitchell Hamline School of Law offers a blended learning JD program that combines the best aspects of both in-person and online training. The school, being one of the pioneers that offer law degree programs, had the chance to develop a technology foundation and continuously improve its teaching methods to this day.

• Credit Hours:
• Format: Hybrid/Blended

What We Love About Mitchell Hamline School of Law

In January 2015, the school was the first ABA-approved law school in the entire US to offer students the chance to finish a law degree through on-campus and online instruction. It was called the Hybrid JD.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is great for students who:

Are looking for a blended learning option that includes the best elements of hybrid, weekend, and executive offerings.

Touro University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Joseph Buxbaum
• Yaakov Stern

Touro University, through the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, offers one of the most accessible hybrid JD degree programs. The program is designed to fit the schedules of students who wish to pursue legal education but don’t have the luxury of time to leave their full-time jobs.

• Criminal Law
• Land Use and Sustainable Development Law

What We Love About Touro University

Although students are required to be in person for classes for 12 Sundays, they complete the remaining assignments asynchronously so they can complete them wherever and whenever suits their schedules.

Touro University is great for students who:

Want to experience small class sizes with helpful professors that allow them to establish close and personal connections.

Touro University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are looking for schools with different academic programs because Touro has limited courses.

Career Outlook for Students with Law Degree

Pre-law studies, degree level: doctorate.

• Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)

Career Salaries

Average career salaries, promising job markets, top industries.

Those with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree influence many facets of our society, from governmental rules, estate planning, contract conflicts, and criminal justice.

Many law schools are broadening their curriculum to include online JD degree programs to better prepare students for the Bar Exam and get their license to practice law in the US. It is important to note, however, that online JD degree programs are not 100% online degree programs; instead, they’re hybrid doctorate degree programs that are a mix of online and on-campus graduate degree coursework.

What is a Juris Doctorate?

A Juris Doctorate degree, also known as a JD or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, is a professional degree designed to prepare students for a legal profession after completing an online master program. It is the most popular educational route to sit for the Bar Exam in the US.

JD degree programs require students to complete 85 to 90 credit hours, generally taking three years of full-time study; part-time students can take up to five years. Online law degrees provide training that is identical to an on-campus program and they give students the skills and knowledge to pass the Bar Exam.

It is important to note that you can only obtain a JD by graduating from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) .

What To Expect from ABA-Accredited Professional Law Degree Programs

Mid- or senior-career professionals can benefit greatly from attending online law degree programs. The greatest way to start a fulfilling and rewarding new job practicing law may be to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) at the best online law schools.

The average cost of attending law school, including living fees and additional costs like books and supplies, is $45,990 per year. According to the Education Data Initiative , the average overall expenditure is $206,180.

When enrolled full-time, law school takes three years to complete. Part-time students, on the other hand, generally complete the didactic and experiential coursework in four to five years.

JD curricula frequently emphasize the methods and techniques utilized in court and for legal research. Additionally, you can get the chance to concentrate your research on one area of law. Typical concentrations include:

• Advocacy law
• Business law
• Constitutional law
• Contract law
• Employment law
• Criminal law
• Entertainment (or media) law
• Environmental law
• General practice law
• Intellectual property law
• Maritime law

Student Submitted Questions on Online Juris Doctorate Degrees and Online Law Schools

Leo asks , “Why are ABA-accredited JD degree programs completed in hybrid learning formats only?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: Since 1952, the American Bar Association (ABA) has served as the benchmark for accrediting law schools. No ABA-accredited institutions currently offer a fully online law education, with zero on-campus requirements. Lawyers and attorneys must pass state Bar Exams, follow the rules for ethical behavior, and develop client trust under challenging situations.

ABA-accredited institutions require students to complete externships and spend weeks on campus each year to enhance learning from their online coursework, network with faculty and peers, and put their knowledge into practice.

ABA-Accredited vs. Unaccredited Law Schools

You might have heard about non-ABA law schools, but you might not have fully understood them. After all, it is a topic that is frequently sidestepped in favor of discussing the more illustrious law schools that the ABA accredits.

The key distinctions between schools with ABA accreditation and those without it are the educational standards available to students and how simple it is to sit for the Bar Exam after graduating, which is the last step in securing employment as legal professionals or lawyers.

ABA-accredited institutions have undergone stringent examination and worked to comply with specific criteria to become accredited. Therefore, ABA-accredited law schools are proven to provide better academic rigor. The quality of the classes at non-ABA-accredited law schools may not be as uniform as those at an ABA-accredited school.

Consequently, while graduates of ABA-accredited law schools are always eligible to take the exam, most (but not all) states do not let graduates from non-ABA schools sit for the Bar Exam.

A non-ABA law school may be the best choice if you want to remain in the state where you attend law school. An ABA law school, on the other hand, is best if you want the freedom to move with your legal degree.

In most states, you can retake the Bar Exam after several years of practice, although it may take 10 to 15 years.

Sophie asks , “Can online JD graduates from accredited law schools sit for the Bar?”

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: If your law school is ABA-accredited, you can qualify to take the Bar Exam, work in any state, and become an attorney in that state.

Jaden asks , “Are LSAT scores needed in online law programs?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: While LSAT scores are mandatory for some online law schools, other law schools accept an LSAT or GRE score as long as they were taken in the last five years.

Jaden asks , “What are the differences between a Juris Doctor and a Juris Master online law degree program?

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: A Juris Master concentrates on more specialized areas of business, nonprofit, or government positions that do not need to pass the Bar Exam. A Juris Doctor degree prepares students to sit and pass the exams to become lawyers or judges.

Ph.D. Program

The ph.d. in law degree.

The Ph.D. in Law degree program is designed to prepare J.D. graduates for careers as legal scholars and teachers through a doctoral program aimed at the production of a substantial body of academic research and writing under the close supervision of a three-member faculty dissertation committee. Unlike programs designed for students who wish to learn about law from the disciplinary perspectives of the social sciences or the humanities, the Ph.D. in Law is directed at students who wish to pursue advanced studies in law from the perspective of the law. This program offers emerging scholars an opportunity to contribute to the development of law as an academic field, and it provides an alternate pathway into law teaching alongside existing routes such as fellowships, advanced degrees in cognate fields, legal practice, and clerkships.

Because our entering Ph.D. students will have already completed their J.D. degrees, the anticipated course of study toward the Ph.D. in Law degree is three academic years and two summers in residence. In their first two semesters, Ph.D. students will enroll in courses designed to help them acquire the background and research skills needed to complete a dissertation in their field of interest and to prepare them for qualifying examinations that test the depth and breadth of the literacies and skills they have acquired. During their second year, students will prepare a dissertation prospectus and begin work on a dissertation. The dissertation may take the form of either three law review articles or a book-length manuscript and will make up a portfolio of writing that will be essential for success in the job market. Ph.D. students will also gain experience in the classroom, and receive the full support of Yale Law School’s Law Teaching Program , which has had remarkable success in placing graduates in tenure-track positions at leading law schools.

Ph.D. students receive a full-tuition waiver, a health award for health insurance coverage, and a stipend to cover their year-round living expenses, as well as support for participation in national and international conferences.

Applications for admission to the Ph.D. in Law program are available starting on August 15. The deadline for submission of all materials is December 15. Applicants to the Ph.D. in Law program must complete a J.D. degree at a U.S. law school before they matriculate and begin the Ph.D. program. Any questions about the program may be directed to Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, at [email protected] .

Watch Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, describe the Ph.D. program at Yale Law School.

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The 7 Best Online Schools for Doctorate in Law (Juris Doctor) Degree Programs

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A Doctorate in Law is an optional academic feat for Law majors who seek advanced learning, specialize in research, and contribute to law literature. Juris Doctor degree holders–students who have completed three years in law school and may practice the profession– are eligible for admission to the Doctorate in Law degree program.

An Online Doctorate Degree in Law is generally research-intensive and usually requires an extensive doctoral thesis. On average, students finish the degree in three to four years. The Online Doctorate in Law degree is designed for adult learners who aim to go beyond the law practice and explore other competencies, including in the areas of scholarly research and publication, as well as teaching in academia.

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Walden university, liberty university, abraham lincoln university, emory university, florida state university, loyola university chicago, california southern university, best online schools for doctorate in law (juris doctor) degree programs.

Methodology: We compiled a list of the 10 Best Online Schools for Doctorate in Law Degree Programs for 2021, listed in no particular order due to each school’s unique degree program and highlights. In exploring these features, we also mention the career opportunities for graduates who have acquired advanced knowledge and skills in the discipline. The following attributes were considered: Highlights each school’s accreditation details, required credit hours for program completion, admission requirements and retention rates, Programs designed to relay a better understanding of legal and ethical laws, public policy and legal trends to the working professional, Includes Dissertation/Doctoral study in Juris Doctor Law, Options in Concentrations; allowing students opportunities to expand on their current credentials, apply for advancements, or pursue a teaching career at the university level, 100% Online, Blended or Hybrid format options, Financial Aid options: Scholarships, Grants, Military Aid, Offers experiential learning through an effective online distance learning format by quality professors outstanding in the field of Doctorate Law (Juris Doctor), Based on prestigious and notability as an online school according to reputable academic resources. To learn more, please see our Methodology page.

ONLINE PH.D. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE WITH A LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATION

Program Standouts: The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a Law and Public Policy concentration at Walden University explores the contemporary practices and theories and national and global issues in the administration of criminal justice.

This online doctorate degree provides the necessary skills and knowledge a student needs to attract exciting new career opportunities, whether they want to pursue leadership roles in the current organization or start a new career in criminal justice. It is ideal for students who are interested in gaining an in-depth knowledge of the law or studying legal concerns in the workplace.

Students need to have 98 credit hours to earn this online doctorate program.

Campus Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Accreditation: Walden University receives accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Retention Rate: 33%

Acceptance Rate: 98%

Admission Requirements:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Admission Application
• Writing Assessment
• Application Essay
• Official Transcript of Records

Program Core Components:

• The Nature of Crime and Criminology
• Policy and Analysis in Criminal Justice Systems
• Technological Solutions and 21st–Century Crime
• Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Leadership: Putting Theory into Practice in Criminal Justice Administration

Degree Outcomes: Graduates of this online doctorate program have the option to pursue career advancement in their current profession. They are able to evaluate the root cause of crime and its specific impact on the practice of law, procedures, and policies.

In addition, it has prepared them for a variety of positions, such as:

• private investigator,
• professor/instructor,
• criminal investigator,
• director of emergency management,
• and other roles related to the law/criminal justice industry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WALDEN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE WITH A LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATION

ONLINE PH.D. IN PUBLIC POLICY

Program Standouts: Liberty University has a Ph.D. in Public Policy that provides the ethical background and skills that students or professionals need to mold the local, national, state, and local law in order to pursue peace and instill Christian values in the pursuit of happiness.

This online Ph.D. degree is suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their current credentials, strengthen their skills in policy research or put an emphasis on educating the next generation of law professionals.

It has five specializations, namely:

• Education Policy,
• Economic Policy,
• National Security Policy,
• Foreign Policy,
• and Social Policy.

Students need to have 60 credit hours to earn this degree in a span of three years, depending on the students’ timeframes of learning.

Campus Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Accreditation: Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Retention Rate: 32%

Acceptance Rate: 99%

• Official College Transcript of Records
• Application Fee
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Statement of Purpose
• Foundations of Statesmanship & Public Policy
• Foreign Policy, Globalization & Statesmanship
• Natural Law, The State & The Gospel
• Statesmanship, Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations
• The Founding Era & Constitution

Degree Outcomes:

Graduates of this online doctorate program are equipped with essential skills in law and governance. They are built upon their existing expertise in their chosen specialization and hone their craft to help create a better, secure and prosperous future for the nation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN PUBLIC POLICY

ONLINE JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE PROGRAM

Program Standouts: The Juris Doctor online program of Abraham Lincoln University is designed for individuals who want to practice law or those interested to pursue into one of the many legal fields that a Juris Doctor degree offers.

It is ideal for working professionals and provides students with increased flexibility without sacrificing their quality of education. They are able to learn the advanced analytical skills necessary to create legal documents, perform legal research, and investigate legal issues and concerns. The Juris Doctor of ALU requires 140 quarter units to earn this degree.

The university prides itself on the establishment of a rigorous, online law degree that provides competence in the educational goals of their law students.

Campus Location: Los Angeles, California

Accreditation: Abraham Lincoln University has received accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Retention Rate: 73%

Acceptance Rate: 100%

• Completed Online Application
• $50 Non-Refundable Application Fee
• Completed Online Assessment Test
• Current government-issued photo ID
• 500-1000 Word Personal Statement describing the professional and personal goals and explanation on pursuing a Juris Doctor degree
• Official Transcript of Records  
• Criminal Law
• Contracts A and B
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Advanced Legal Research & Writing

Abraham Lincoln University’s law school graduates of the Juris Doctor program have the eligibility to become full members of the State Bar of California and are eligible to practice in California. They are able to understand the principles and theories of law, their relationships with others, and their limitations.

Graduates are prepared for a rewarding career as well as prepared for the California First Year Law Students’ Examination and California General Bar Examination.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE PROGRAM

ONLINE JD DEGREE

Program Standouts: The Juris Doctor program offered by the Emory Law of the Emory University provides empowerment to discern students’ legal path right from the beginning of their legal studies. The faculty handling the Emory Law are experts in their respective law careers and dynamic teachers in the learning environment.

The freshman year of studies immerses students in the language of the law, sophomore students have the opportunity in a one-week immersion in advocacy and a summer internship program, and the third-year students of this online doctorate program puts an emphasis on mentorship programs under the supervision of a dedicated 3L Career Center adviser.

Students will need 90 credit hours to earn this degree.

Campus Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Accreditation: Emory University has earned accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Retention Rate: 95%

Acceptance Rate: 13%

• $80 Non-refundable Application Fee
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Civil Procedure
• Introduction to Legal Advocacy, Research, and Communications I and II
• Legislation and Regulation

Juris Doctor graduates of Emory University have demonstrated an understanding and knowledge of procedural American Law and they are equipped with professional skills that are needed for ethical participation and competence as members of the legal professions.

In addition, they demonstrate competence in reasoning, problem-solving in a legal context, legal analysis, and legal research. A rewarding career awaits them in the private and government sectors that need legal expertise across different issues and concerns of the society.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EMORY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE JD DEGREE

JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) ONLINE PROGRAM

Program Standouts: Florida State University offers a Juris Doctor program through its College of Law. This doctorate degree is completed in an average of three years depending on the students’ timeframe of learning. It is specially formatted in traditional courses and develops to include the latest in interdisciplinary and theoretical analyses.

The university offers several learning opportunities for experiential learning and courses that enable students to be competitive and highly-skilled entrants into the business, law, and government sectors. Additionally, students have the option to enroll in any FSU’s joint-degree programs namely:

• Urban and Regional Planning and Law,
• Oceanography: Aquatic Environmental Science and Law,
• Sport Management and Law,
• Business and Law,
• Social Work and Law,
• Information and Law,
• Public Administration and Law,
• Information Technology and Law,
• or International Affairs and Law.

Campus Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Accreditation: Florida State University receives accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Retention Rate: 96%

Acceptance Rate: 37%

• Online Application Form
• $30 Non-refundable Application Fee
• Law School Admission Test or GRE
• LSAC Report
• Residency Form
• Optional but preferable requirements such as Academic Addendum, Diversity Statement, and Letter of Recommendation
• TOEFL and IELTS Requirement (For international students only)

Program Specializations:

• International Law
• Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law
• Business and Tax Law

Degree Outcomes: Graduates of this Juris Doctor program have a strong wealth of knowledge through FSU’s extensive and hands-on learning program. The hands-on learning experience in the Mock Trial and Moot Court programs equipped their graduates to be appellate and trial advocates.

They are provided the opportunity to hone their research and writing skills that are essentially useful when they navigate in different sectors of the society through promising legal professions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY’S JURIS DOCTOR ONLINE PROGRAM

ONLINE LAW DEGREES: JURIS DOCTOR (JD) DEGREE PROGRAM

Program Standouts: California Southern University’s Juris Doctor program is suitable for individuals who prefer the convenience and flexibility without compromising their busy, working professions.

This online JD program is a rigorous and challenging program that puts an emphasis on ethical responsibility and analytical thinking capabilities. The rigorous program has the same case books and materials that many of the country’s most prominent law schools use.

Students will become part of a community that provides overall support and tools essential to the study of law and business. CalSouthern’s JD program requires 88 credits for degree completion. Students can earn this degree in as quick as 2 years depending on their pace of learning.

Campus Location: Costa Mesa, California

Accreditation: California Southern University received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

Retention Rate: 67%

• Online Enrollment Application
• $75 Application Fee
• Official Transcript of Records of Undergraduate Coursework
• JD Assessment Questionnaire Completion
• Signed Enrollment Agreements
• Contracts I and II
• Legal Writing I and II
• Constitutional Law I and II
• Professional Responsibility
• Legal Research

Graduates of CalSouthern’s online JD program acquire an advanced set of knowledge of the traditional fields of law.

They are integrated with skills that are helpful in understanding and applying legal procedures, to comprehend legal principles, limitations of the law, and excel in the State Bar of California examinations. They have the eligibility to sit for the California Bar Exam.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE LAW DEGREES: JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE PROGRAM

WEEKEND JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM

Program Standouts: The Juris Doctor program of Loyola University Chicago is a rigorous program combined with practical experience students need to rise above the competition.

Students will work closely with world-class faculty to learn the foundations of the American legal system. The set of coursework under this program helps students learn to effectively apply the study of law to real-world challenging scenarios.

Students must complete 86 credit hours to earn a JD degree in Loyola. Experiential learning that is comprised of 6 credit hours is required to demonstrate the applied knowledge and skills of the students all throughout the program.

All online courses are offered through the university’s highly interactive and collaborative online learning platform – Sakai.

Campus Location: Chicago, Illinois

Accreditation: Loyola University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Retention Rate: 86%

Acceptance Rate: 77%

• Completed Online Application Form
• LSAT Scores
• One Letter of Recommendation
• Law School Admission Test Exam
• Character and Fitness Questions
• Qualification for Bar Exam Admissions
• Administrative Law

Students who complete the JD program will earn the same rewarding opportunity to gain benefits from quality, world-class legal education at Loyola. They have achieved unwavering success in serving different sectors of society through promising career pathways in the government and private sectors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO’S WEEKEND JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM

Why should i earn a doctorate in law (juris doctor) degree.

Earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree is an excellent option for anyone interested in learning more about the legal field and pursuing a career as an attorney. A JD degree provides the necessary skills and knowledge to practice law and a deeper understanding of the legal system.

The degree also offers a variety of opportunities for specialization and career advancement. Those with a Juris Doctor degree can also look forward to higher salaries, increased job security, and more job opportunities.

What can I do with a Doctorate in Law (Juris Doctor) Degree?

A Doctorate in Law (Juris Doctor) Degree is the highest degree in law and is typically required to practice law in the United States. With a Juris Doctor, you could pursue a career in legal practice by becoming a lawyer, a judge, or a law professor.

Additionally, a Juris Doctor can open up policy-making, advocacy, and legal consulting opportunities. You could also apply your degree to a career in government, business, or nonprofit organizations.

Do I need a Doctorate in Law (Juris Doctor) Degree to become a lawyer?

Yes, in most states in the United States, you must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in order to become a licensed lawyer.

What is the average salary for an Attorney?

The average salary for an attorney in the United States is approximately $135,740 per year to upwards of $239,200 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure can vary depending on geographic location, experience, and other factors.

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An Online Law School Built for Working Adults.

Welcome to Purdue Global Law School (formerly Concord Law School), the original innovator of online legal education with a legacy of firsts. The nation’s first fully online law school. One of the first to be accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of California. A legal institution where working adults take the first step toward becoming tomorrow’s leaders.

Earn the Law Degree Your Career Deserves at Purdue Global Law School

As Purdue University's online law school for working adults, we offer high-quality law degree programs that feature the latest innovations in online learning, affordable tuition, and expert-led courses that fit seamlessly into your life. This is your moment. Ready to move your career forward?

Juris Doctor (JD)

Prepare to become a California-licensed attorney at our state-accredited law school. After meeting State Bar requirements, you can represent clients in court, conduct depositions, negotiate settlements, and petition to practice in federal court. A California law license may also offer you opportunities in other states.

Executive Juris Doctor (EJD)

Earn your doctorate in law without the regulatory hurdles of a Juris Doctor degree. Build your legal expertise at a law school online through concentrations in business, education, health, and technology.

See Notes and Conditions section below for important information.

Purdue Global Law School was named to  The Princeton Review 's list of  Best Online JD Programs  for the past four years (2021–2024).

A Quality Legal Education at Affordable Rates

Lower tuition means less debt and pressure after graduation — freeing you to pursue your career dreams.

Our overall JD cost is below the average cost of an ABA-approved law school.

Compared to first-time California bar pass rate in February 2024.

Purdue Global Law School has a rich, 25+ year history as the first fully online law school.

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Learn more about our Upcoming Student Information Series, Distinguished Speaker Series, and other events hosted by Purdue Global Law School.

What makes our online law school programs stand out? Our overall JD cost is far below the average ABA-accredited law school.

Our online law school programs deliver a rigorous, interactive, and relevant legal education completely within a distance-learning environment.

Backed by one of the most respected universities in the nation, Purdue Global Law School is the nation’s first fully online law school and one of the first to be accredited by the State Bar of California.

Upcoming Start Dates

Purdue Global Law School offers 3 start dates per year. Each term is 16 weeks.

You have these options of collaborating with instructors through this very structured intuitive platform that the law school has put together. You have to go through real curriculum, real professors, work on your assignments thoroughly, and they test you at every level on the curriculum.

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To receive the Purdue Global Law School brochure and learn more about associated career pathways for our law degrees, request more information.

JD Tuition Cost Comparison —Average Cost of Tuition :  Based on the published tuition rates of 193 ABA-approved programs. Calculation uses average tuition for a nonresident full-time student for a 3-year period. Purdue Global Law School's Juris Doctor is a part-time 4-year program, which equates to 3 years of full-time study. Source: American Bar Association .

Best Online JD Program:   The Princeton Review's  Best Online JD Programs at Law School  list is unranked.  The Princeton Review  is neither affiliated with nor endorses Purdue Global Law School. Logo from the Princeton Review. ©2024 TPR Education. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Testimonials:  Testimonials were obtained by Purdue Global Law School (formerly Concord Law School). The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual; student experiences may vary.

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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.

See full curriculum

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

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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

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Law PhD by Distance Learning

What is a phd by distance learning.

A PhD by Distance Learning allows you to undertake the majority of your research at an off-campus location. You are therefore able to do the research required for your PhD in a location of your choosing; only making one annual visit to the University.

Why study by distance learning?

The main advantage of studying by distance learning is the opportunity to undertake research supervised by one of our world-renowned academics without having to relocate geographically to the Birmingham region. The flexibility offered by distance learning will allow you to combine study with other commitments, including work and family.

Is the distance learning route for you?

The distance learning route to PhD study is not for everyone. You need to have a very clear idea of your research project and be able to motivate yourself. Undertaking PhD study off campus can sometimes be quite isolating, so the ability to proactively seek out connections from within relevant research communities is important. This route is well-suited to those who have a project associated with their work or particular interests and where resources are available locally to support your research e.g. appropriate archives and data collections.

Can I study by Distance Learning in the UK?

Distance Learning courses can be undertaken from anywhere in the world, including the UK. 

However, it is worth noting that supervisory sessions for Distance Learning students will take place via audiovisual communications, such as Skype or Facetime, rather than in person. 

While this 21st Century approach has proved effective, for those applicants who would prefer to visit the campus for face-to-face meetings with their supervisor, the traditional part-time study option would be more appropriate. 

• One return economy flight per year for the required two-week campus visit in September
• Accommodation at the University for the required two-week campus visit in September
• One return economy flight at the end of the study period for the three-day PhD viva examination
• Accommodation at the University for the three-day viva examination

How will I be supported?

You will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students. The only difference is that supervisory sessions will take place via audio and visual communication services such as Skype or Facetime, rather than in person.  

When would I start?

We encourage you to start your PhD in the month of September so that you can attend an induction along with other PhD candidates beginning their research at the same time as you. However, other arrangements may be possible with agreement from your supervisor.

How often will I need to be on campus?

Although you may be able to undertake the majority of your study at an off-campus location, you will be fully funded to make one compulsory visit to the University per year of study. This will enable you to meet your supervisory team, undertake intensive research skills training and make a start on your doctoral studies. You will then be invited to attend the University for annual meetings which will give you the opportunity to interact with other doctoral students both socially and academically, undertake important progress meetings and carry out necessary training. You will also generally be required to be present on campus for your viva voce.

Am I eligible?

Before we can offer you a place it is important that you have agreement from your potential supervisor and that they are satisfied that you will be able to undertake the PhD on an off-campus basis. This may mean that slightly different entry requirements apply, such as English language and more extensive research skills training. Agreements will also need to be reached regarding some of the more practical aspects of undertaking the PhD in this way (for example attendance requirements, suitability of the chosen residency etc). It is important that arrangements are discussed early so that all parties involved know what to expect and to ensure you are able to successfully complete your studies.  

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

Luis Bergolla

• JSD Candidate
• Teaching Fellow, LLM Program in International Economic Law, Business and Policy (IELBP)
• Lecturer in Law

Silindile Buthelezi

Rolando Garcia Miron

Yutang Hsiao

Tai-jan huang.

Takuma Iwasaki

Maria Palacio

Michael Thorburn

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

Teaching in US Academia

Teaching Outside the US

Working in the Public Interest Sector

Working in the Private Sector

Graduate Program

Jurisprudence & social policy graduate program, may 10, 2024, april 19, 2024, april 12, 2024, march 8, 2024, march 4, 2024.

Berkeley Law offers a unique interdisciplinary program of graduate study in law and society, leading to the Ph.D. degree in Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP) . The JSP Program promotes the study of law and legal institutions through the perspectives of several disciplines, including economics, political science, philosophy, sociology, history, psychology, and criminal justice

The Jurisprudence and Social Policy Ph.D. is ideal for students interested in:

The scholarly study of legal ideas and institutions from the standpoint of one or more of the basic disciplines, such as, history, economics, philosophy, sociology, or political science.

Policy analysis and applied research on law-related issues in such fields as criminal justice, poverty and discrimination, human rights, urban planning, and environmental protection.

Preparation for teaching legal studies in graduate and undergraduate curriculums.

Interdisciplinary preparation for teaching law.

A Note from Associate Dean Dylan Penningroth:

Thanks for visiting our website.  The Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP) Program is a unique doctoral program focused on the interdisciplinary study of law. JSP is housed within the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, but organized under UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division. Established in 1978, JSP was the first law-focused PhD program in the United States and continues to be the leading program of its kind anywhere.

By integrating the study of law with the humanities and social sciences, JSP seeks a broad context for understanding and developing legal policy. While there are many productive ways to link law to the research tools of the disciplines, we are committed to pursuing plural, interdisciplinary scholarship that includes humanistic and social scientific approaches to the study of law. Our students generally specialize in some portion of this spectrum while learning from teachers and peers with diverse research interests. Students take a mix of interdisciplinary courses offered within JSP, as well as classes in the Law School’s traditional JD curriculum. These and other features of our program have become a model for other doctoral programs in interdisciplinary legal studies, many of which have recruited our alumni for their faculties. 

JSP faculty are leading scholars in their field who hail from a variety of disciplines – including political science, sociology, economics, history, philosophy, and psychology. Beginning with the JSP Orientation Seminar and through a range of course offerings in the humanities and social sciences, we offer students training in both empirical and normative analysis of law. Over the past decade, JSP has grown, adding faculty who offer a range of cutting-edge courses in quantitative and qualitative research methods and research design that are specially oriented to the study of law. Our substantive course offerings also have increased in scope, pushing the boundaries of knowledge across multiple fields.

JSP is closely integrated with the Center for the Study of Law and Society (CSLS), which attracts visiting scholars from all over the world, hosts one of the most dynamic speaker series on campus, and provides an intellectual hub for top-notch research on law and legal institutions. CSLS also offers the Berkeley Empirical Legal Studies (BELS) Graduate Fellowship, which brings together doctoral students studying law and social science from JSP and other programs on the Berkeley campus in a year-long research workshop. Berkeley Law is also home to a vibrant array of other research centers dedicated to issues ranging from law, energy, and the environment to reproductive rights and justice; from law and business to law and social justice; from law, morality, and public affairs to law and technology. 

This is an extraordinary time for scholars and students who have interdisciplinary training in law. The collective challenges confronting us today span diverse legal systems, fields of expertise, cultures, and regions of the world. In this context, the training we provide is not only an advantage for a professional career in academia, public service, or policy advocacy, but also urgently needed kindling for innovative theorizing, creative problem-solving, and breakthrough empirical research.

On this website you can get to know our students and our faculty and learn more about the JSP program by viewing recent course offerings and upcoming conferences. I especially urge you to learn more about our advanced graduate students currently on the academic job market, as well as our alumni. Nothing reflects so well on our program as our graduates, and what they are accomplishing with their training here at Berkeley continues to inspire us. 

If you have any questions about the JSP Program, please feel welcome to contact me, our Graduate Advisor, Sarah Song, or our Graduate Student Advisor, Michael Paz.

Dylan C. Penningroth, Associate Dean Jurisprudence and Social Policy

Online Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law Legal Insights for the Future of Educational Policy

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Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Liberty’s Online Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law Can Equip You to Implement Student-Focused Education Policies

A legal perspective on education can make a big difference when it comes to setting policies and influencing the future of educational institutions.

With Liberty University’s 100% online Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law degree program, you can expand your knowledge, skills, and training in the legal aspects of education. The Ph.D. in Education applies relevant concepts in a way that can give you the flexibility to help learners in any setting, and the knowledge you gain in educational law can prepare you to lead others in corporations, businesses, and successful school administrations.

So whether your goal is to teach, design for curriculum and instruction, or serve in school administration, Liberty is committed to preparing future educators and leaders who impact the field of education for Christ. Liberty University’s Ph.D. in Education is a 100% online program designed to provide advanced training for educators across various fields. The specialization in educational law helps education professionals make a positive impact on educational organizations and policies.

Since understanding education law and policy can help you develop better teaching and learning environments, Liberty’s educational law degree focuses on developing your knowledge of important legal policies and theories. Through Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education, you can gain the confidence you need to lead educational organizations and help improve our education system.

The education research you develop during your academic and dissertation studies can benefit your fellow educators and build new bodies of knowledge. Through academic research excellence and a thorough understanding of education law, you can be equipped to help schools, teachers, and governments make the education system work better for students.

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• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
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• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law Online Program?

At Liberty University, we believe your impact on the next generation matters. All of your classes will be taught from a biblical worldview by faculty with years of experience in and out of the classroom. A terminal degree grounded in biblical principles can make you extremely valuable to educational institutions because you can be well-equipped to influence policies, procedures, and outcomes with ethical clarity and integrity.

Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law online degree program is designed to provide you with advanced training in the legal issues that impact academic institutions. If you’re an educator who is interested in executive leadership within education systems, an understanding of educational law is critical. Start on your path to success as an educator or a leader in a school or university through our educational law degree program.

Your time is important, so the Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law is available 100% online so that you can fit your coursework into your schedule. You may choose to network with faculty and peers within the program by participating in optional intensive courses on our campus in Lynchburg, Va., as well. Liberty University is dedicated to helping you earn your degree around your commitments.

We believe that biblical values build good policy, so your courses in the online education degree will focus on helping you to examine relevant topics and current events in light of a Christian worldview. Come join Liberty’s mission to Train Champions for Christ by equipping educators to use the law for the benefit of students.

What Will You Study in Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law?

Liberty University’s core education courses can enhance your knowledge of education policy, structure, theories, and educational law. Because educational law is just as critical as educational leadership in the managing of academic institutions, this program will focus on key areas of leadership with an emphasis on educational law. Our courses in the Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law online program can help you develop new skills as you learn strategic management solutions to common leadership problems in organizations.

Liberty’s online doctoral degree in education emphasizes a Christian perspective in learning theory and can help you approach education and education research through the lens of a biblical worldview. You can also learn how global culture, legal, and economic factors can inform your approach to student engagement at different levels of schooling.

Through this program, you can:

• Learn how to evaluate education theories for application in both professional and academic settings.
• Analyze theories and evidence-based practices that inform leadership, research, and teacher preparation in educational law.
• Design and conduct original research that adds to the knowledge base of the education field.
• Use cutting-edge educational technology to engage students and develop research, which can be implemented in your dissertation.
• Study legal policy in education and learner development.
• Develop educational law expertise in special education and other essential topics.

In the educational law area of study, you can gain specialized knowledge of larger policies that affect the field of education and the role of education policy. This area of study can help you analyze pedagogical concepts based on research and knowledge of the discipline.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Education advocate
• Education survey researcher
• Educational policy legislator
• K-12 administrator
• University administrator
• University professor

Featured Courses

• EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
• EDUC 747 – Advanced Educational Law
• EDUC 845 – Policy Analysis
• JURI 625 – Administrative Law

Degree Information

• This program falls under our School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides .
• An extensive final dissertation project is required.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

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Admission Information for Our Online Ph.D. in Educational Law Degree

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

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Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can i do with a ph.d. in education.

Advanced training in education, educational law, and research, can help you gain the valuable communication and problem-solving skills needed to lead students and organizations to success. Our online Ph.D. in Education – Educational Law can provide you with the tools and skills you need to lead an educational administration at the county, state, or national level.

Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education can prepare you for a career as a proficient researcher, effective leader, or skilled educator. Our programs are taught from a biblical worldview and encourage educators to model high standards as they assume leadership roles within various education-related organizations. Researchers and leaders in the field of education can shape the future direction of policies, goals, and objectives within K-12, business, or state or federal government educational settings.

What kinds of professional skills could I gain through the Education Ph.D. program?

• An understanding of policy analysis and legal theory in education
• Education research skills that can apply to a variety of organizations and institutions
• How to use distinct types of media to engage students and help them develop key problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Statistical and data analysis skills through the use of industry-leading technology
• School administration and management techniques valuable for leading organizations

Does this degree require any culminating project?

The Ph.D. online includes an integrated dissertation process allowing you to work toward your final research project while completing your coursework.

Completing the online Ph.D. program’s dissertation can empower you to make a unique impact in education research that can become the basis for publications, curriculum and instruction products, and other publishing opportunities.

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education program can help you to develop educational management skills and foster leadership in teachers and students. This program is offered in an 8-week course format, with 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times!

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Online Programs

Participating in an online program with Harvard Law School Executive Education will allow you to access the same faculty expertise, unparalleled content, and opportunities to engage with peers from around the world as our on-campus programs, but with the added flexibility of a virtual classroom.

Asynchronous programs

Computer Science for Lawyers

Gain a deep understanding of the legal ramifications of clients’ technological decisions and policies.

International Finance: Policy, Regulation, and Transactions

Learn the fundamentals and emerging policy issues for the global financial system

Financial Analysis and Valuation for Lawyers

Understand, interpret, and use financial data to provide insight and advise your clients.

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Harvard is authorized to offer distance education under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), an agreement that allows institutions of higher education in Massachusetts to offer distance education to students residing in other states that participate in SARA. For information about SARA-related student complaint processes for distance education students, please see  https://vpal.harvard.edu/nc-sara .

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The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program is a new 30-credit, asynchronous online degree program that provides students, most of whom are adult professionals working in a variety of heavy regulated industries, with the legal and regulatory acumen to perform their essential job functions at the highest level and to improve career outcomes.  More than 70 ABA-accredited law schools offer this degree and it has established value in the marketplace.  The program’s curriculum will be driven by and tailored to projected job growth in South Florida.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit their completed MLS application, Bachelor's degree transcript from a regionally accredited institution, resume, personal statement, and at least one letter of recommendation to be considered for admission.  The program targets applicants with a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA and professional work experience.

All students will take four required courses ("Core") including the Master’s Capstone course, during which the student will write a research paper or complete a project of equal importance. The academic Core is twelve (12) semester credits.

• Foundations of U.S. Law and Regulation, 3 credits
• Legal Research, Writing and Analysis Skills, 3 credits
• Corporate Compliance & Enterprise Risk Management, 3 credits
• Master's Capstone, 3 credits

Students selecting an optional track will select at least three (3) elective courses in that track and  additional credits can be selected from the entire menu of electives to reach thirty (30) total  credits for the degree.

Curriculum Requirements

Sample plan of study.

In the administrative world we inhabit, the MLS program aims to fill an educational gap for a growing body of professionals who work in “law adjacent” jobs, meaning they work in and around the law (or lawyers),  regulation, corporate compliance, and enterprise risk management every day but do not engage in the practice of law.  Think of a senior human resources director for a large company, for example, grappling with the risks of terminating a pregnant employee during a period of broad layoffs.  Or a mid-level compliance officer at a large university tasked by General Counsel’s office with updating Title IX training for employees to ensure that it aligns with expected rule changes relating to sex discrimination and assault.  Or an employee at a small start-up company who has been asked to develop the company’s first cyber risk compliance program.  Each employee would benefit from a working knowledge of law and regulation, and the degree provides a competitive advantage for employees seeking promotions within their organizations or new job opportunities.  Indeed, these are profiles of actual students who have earned the MLS degree at other law schools and credit it with helping them improve job performance and advance their careers. 

Student Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes target acquisition of knowledge, critical thinking skills, legal research and analysis skills, and include an ethical component.  By the end of the program:

• Students will be able to describe the structure and function of U.S. legal systems and, where appropriate, compare and contrast the U.S. approach with others (e.g., domestic information privacy regulation with GDPR);
• Students will be able to identify and navigate relevant sources of law, including statutes, regulations, and cases;
• Students will be able to conduct basic legal analysis appropriate to non-lawyers and communicate it effectively to a variety of constituents, including lawyers;
• Students will be able to assess risks to an organization’s business goals and objectives, and develop and draft measures or strategies to mitigate the risks;
• Students will be able to consider and evaluate the tangible benefits of using an ethical lens to drive corporate behavior.

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Bridgit Mendler Officially Graduates Harvard Law School and Her Future's Bright

Former disney channel star bridgit mendler is one step closer to becoming a lawyer following her 2024 graduation from harvard law school. what, like it's hard.

As Harvard Law School graduate Elle Woods famously said, "We did it!"

And in the case of  Bridgit Mendler , she did it and so much more: The  Good Luck Charlie  alum has officially graduated with her law degree from Harvard.

In a video  shared to social media May 23 , the 31-year-old could be seen walking across the stage to collect her diploma and shake hands with the Harvard faculty. But Bridgit wasn't up there alone, as she was joined by her 4-year-old son—who she adopted in 2022—with the duo pausing to pose for a quick photo before walking off stage.

The "Ready or Not" singer  surprised fans earlier this year  when she revealed she'd not only adopted her son, but that she'd also said goodbye to Hollywood, instead launching her own tech startup with husband  Griffin Cleverly . And proving she can do it all, Bridgit shared she simultaneously was on her way to getting both a law degree from Harvard and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

However,  she later had to press pause on the PhD . 

"The PhD is something I started working towards in 2020," she explained in a March post on  X , "and I pursued it jointly with my law degree but when I moved to California last summer and decided that for family reasons we would stay on the west coast, it had to go on pause." 

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The Disney Channel alum explained that completing her degree is now "up to the administration and my principal investigator and what they think is appropriate."

But Bridgit understands that, as a parent, sometimes difficult decisions need to be made in order to maintain a work/life balance.

"I enjoy pushing the boundary of the possible and saying yes to more things," she continued, "but also it is important to flex the muscle of prioritization and discernment. For myself I've found that learning when to say no or not right now can be more of a skill than saying yes."

As for her other venture, Bridgit is currently serving as the CEO of Northwood Space, while Griffin—who she married in 2019—acts as CTO. The startup aims to build ground satellite stations to help send and receive data from space, acting as a "data highway" between the two.

"Space is getting easier along so many different dimensions," she told  CNBC  in February about her company's goals, "but still the actual exercise of sending data to and from space is difficult."

Bridgit wasn't the only star to celebrate a graduation in 2024. Keep reading to see who else collected a diploma this year.

Ella Stiller

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor ’s daughter graduated with a BFA in acting from The Juilliard School in New York City.

“I couldn’t be happier to be done or prouder to have survived or more grateful to my family for the unwavering support that got me there and through," the 22-year-old wrote on Instagram May 25. "I have a degree in playing pretend!!! Yay!!!”

Jennifer Gates

Jennifer Gates , the eldest daughter of Bill Gates and ex-wife Melinda French Gates , graduated from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

Following her special day, the Microsoft founder shared a touching message to celebrate her achievement. 

"From pre-K to MD," Bill wrote in a May 15 Instagram post . "I'm so proud to officially call you Dr. Gates."

Ivey Watson

Jamie Lynn Spears ' youngest daughter Ivey Watson , who she shares with husband Jamie Watson , graduated from kindergarten. The little one proudly held her diploma in front of her older sister Maddie Watson , who Jamie Lynn shares with ex Casey Aldridge .

Karma Bridges

Ludacris ' daughter graduated from Spelman College with a degree in Documentary Filmmaking in May 2024, according to Essence . The singer said he was a " #prouddaddy " over her achievement. 

“I want to make movie and film content that helps shape and change the social and political landscape,” Karma said in a statement to the Ludacris Foundation. “Tell stories that are meaningful and thought provoking. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling due to its ability to heal, inspire, educate, create empathy, and ultimately catalyze positive change in the world.”

Massai Zhivago Dorsey II

Nia Long and Massai Z. Dorsey 's oldest son received his degree from New York University.

"Oh my baby," the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress wrote on Instagram May 20. "I’m so proud of you! Let’s get it!"

Jace Caussin

Jana Kramer 's son Jace—who she shares with ex Mike Caussin —said goodbye to Pre-K and celebrated the milestone at a mini prom.

Jason & Kylie Kelce Receive Apology From Mayor After Fan Interaction

Isabella strahan spent 19th birthday unconscious amid cancer battle.

Best Engineering Schools to Be Published June 18

Here's how U.S. News calculated rankings across 13 specialties, from chemical engineering to mechanical engineering.

New Best Engineering Rankings June 18

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On June 18, 2024, U.S. News will publish its 2024 Best Engineering Schools rankings, including an overall ranking of nearly 200 doctorate-granting schools of engineering. Rankings across 13 specialties, such as chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, will also be published.

In line with last year's revamped methodology, half of each school’s rank is based on research activity, while the remaining combined factors comprise the other half. U.S. News favors this approach because research productivity is a core attribute of a department enrolling doctoral students.

The increased research focus is in line with diversifying the underlying metrics used to measure engineering research so that each school’s ranking was not too dependent on a single measure.

To be clear, the total dollar amounts of external research expenditures at engineering schools are a reliable indicator of research activity. These metrics also reflect the American Society for Engineering Education's standardized definition , which includes only activity tied to grants and contracts budgeted for research from applicable external sources, including federal, state, local and foreign governments, industry, nonprofits and individuals.

Even so, total spending is not the only factor to consider when evaluating a school’s research activity. One limitation is that while these aggregated amounts signify the quantity of research an engineering school conducts, they inform less about the quality and impact of that research.

Bibliometric data helps with quality. How often publications are cited in other research, especially in top journals, indicates whether schools’ publications left favorable impressions. Consequently, U.S. News reduced by 10 percentage points the weight placed on research grants indicators, replacing them with the following four new bibliometric ranking factors: citations per publication, field weighted citation impact, and shares of publications cited in the top 5% and top 25% of the most-cited journals.

Citations per publication is the total number of citations divided by the total number of publications for each engineering school. Field-weighted citation impact is the citation impact per paper, normalized for each engineering field to account for some fields being more likely than others to be cited. The remaining two factors account for the extent publications appear in top journals.

The data reflects a five-calendar-year time span, 2019-2023, and were calculated and compiled by Elsevier, a global leader in information and analytics.

Note that all statistics are scaled, meaning they measure the impact of research produced rather than the quantity. This was done purposefully for a couple of reasons. First, it was in response to a 2023 ASEE survey of its members, many of whom suggested the rankings formula had been overleveraged on rewarding schools for their size. Second, this meant logical issues involving the publications that Elsevier attributed to each engineering school were not instrumental in how each school performed.

U.S. News and Elsevier made significant efforts to compile bibliometric statistics for each school based on comprehensive records that followed a standardized approach. The data was derived from how publications’ authors identified their school, research centers and lab affiliations. Specifically, Elsevier used advanced clustering technology to map affiliation text from five types of peer-reviewed documents – articles, conference papers, reviews, books and book chapters – to organizational identifiers.

In early May 2024, engineering schools were given a comprehensive list of affiliates and their name variants that Elsevier had mapped to their schools. Schools could offer additional name variants they believed were missing.

This approach was admittedly subject to the limitations of how faculty have identified their school affiliations in publications. But requiring an explicit identification to a school best ensured only relevant publications would be applied to the rankings. Other approaches fail this test.

For example, mapping publications using faculty names instead of school attribution, as some schools have proposed, would result in including publications that are not connected to the corresponding engineering school, in part because faculty may have changed institutions over a five-year period. Relying on 199 schools to self-report comparable information on eligible faculty would also undermine the benefit of using third-party data.

Finally, this is a ranking of engineering schools, not individuals working in engineering departments. This is why it’s important to focus on the affiliations of engineering schools. But as an acknowledgement that the roster of publications used in the rankings were subject to methodological approach, U.S. News will not publish schools’ total publication counts on its website.

The objective of the rankings is to help prospective graduate students better understand their options for improving their skills, specializing in fields of interest and gaining leadership opportunities that lead to higher salaries. More sophisticated rankings better inform those choices. The latest adjustments to the 2024 Best Engineering Schools rankings methodology help provide a more complete assessment of schools’ research activity by complementing research grant statistics with data on the impact of that spending.

Tags: engineering , engineering graduate school , colleges , education , rankings , students

About Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings

Robert Morse is chief data strategist for U.S. News & World Report and has worked at the company since 1976. He develops the methodologies and surveys for the Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools annual rankings, keeping an eye on higher-education trends to make sure the rankings offer prospective students the best analysis available. Morse Code provides deeper insights into the methodologies and is a forum for commentary and analysis of college, grad and other rankings.

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Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

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HEC Law GAT 2024 Registration Schedule Announced

HEC has announced the schedule of the LAW GAT test LAW Graduate Assessment Test 2024. The Law GAT test is scheduled to be held on June 30, 2024. Law Graduate Assessment Test is compulsory for all LLB graduates who wish to seek Bar Council Registration. Applications for LAW-GAT 2024 can be submitted online at the HEC portal latest by June 04, 2024. 

Candidates who have passed a Bachelor's degree in Law or equivalent from a university recognized by HEC/PBC can register themselves online through http://etc.hec.gov.pk Applications can be submitted online at the HEC website. HEC LAE-GAT is compulsory for all LLB graduates before entering the legal profession for practicing law.

The test will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCOs). Applicants who have registered through HEC online registration process will download their Roll Number Slip through http://etc.hec.gov.pk a week before the test date. Email/SMS will be sent to registered applicants regarding the test date time, and venue. Candidates are required to provide a valid email/mobile number while filling out the online application form. A print of the Roll Number Slip and original CNIC will be required to enter Test Centre. The Last date to apply for HEC Law GAT 2024 is June 04, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria for HEC Law GAT 2024

• Persons having passed a Bachelor's degree in Law from a university recognized by HEC and PBC are eligible to apply.

HEC-Law GAT Test Centers

The Test will be conducted in the following Centers:

• Lahore 
• Sukkur 
• Quetta 
• Muzaffarabad

Applicants may select any test Centre from the list available in the application form. The test will only be held at any of the above Centers if a minimum of 250 applicants will select that Centre. Test Centre once selected will not be changed after registration.

How to Register for HEC Law Graduate Assessment Test GAT 2024 ​

• Please visit the following link: http://etc.hec.gov.pk for online registration In case of any difficulty during online registration, please visit onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk or visit HEC Secretariat or HEC Regional Centers for guidance. Application submission comprises two steps: profile completion using the "My Profile" section and application submission using the "Law Graduate Assessment Test" link on the menu panel at the left-hand side bar of the online portal. Only SUBMITTED applications will be considered for the Law-GAT Test and applications in SAVE or INCOMPLETE mode will not be entertained.
• Test Fee is to be deposited via 1Link 1Bill invoice payment services with generated consumer numbers.
• After depositing the fee through 1Link 1Bill invoice, click on Verify Online payment on ETC dashboard.
•  The last date for online registration is Deadline for Online Registration: June 04, 2024 (4 pm)

Other Requirements/Conditions

• A 50% score is required to pass the Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law-GAT).
• Applicants will have to meet other criteria, if any, as per the Rules and Regulations of PBC.
• Applicants will have a maximum of three chances to clear the Law-GAT test. HEC will conduct the test thrice a year.

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I quit my Ph.D. program to be a wife and mother at 23. It's not what I expected for my post-college life, but I'm happier.

• After college, I ennrolled in a Ph.D. program I wasn't actually interested in. 
• I eventually dropped out of the program so that I could focus on my husband and being a mother. 
• I am now pregnant, and I'm so happy with my decision.

In high school, I knew college would be an important step toward success and a career. Nonetheless, my deeper desires involved finding "the one" — friends-to-lovers style.

I had a full scholarship to the college of my dreams, but I quickly shifted focus from my studies to my personal development. I wanted to know more about myself than my classes.

And that's what I did. I created a podcast with my friends. I fell in love with my best friend and got my friends-to-lovers romance. We even got married in college. I also discovered my passion for mental health.

But by the end of my senior year, reality started to set in. I became so fearful of graduation because I had no job prospects or future plans. I suddenly realized I would become a stay-at-home wife , and that terrified me even more.

To avoid that, I desperately searched for a career and enrolled in a graduate program I wasn't interested in.

I quickly lost interest in my Ph.D. program

I was among a small number of students who were able to get into a Ph.D. program directly from undergrad.

Related stories

I was an academic in training, which meant having two part-time jobs, doing side research projects, and attending class. I saw my husband less, but he supported the sacrifice as long as I got what I wanted. I started working at 8 a.m. and finished around 7 p.m. I worked on the weekends, too.

The Pinterest-inspired home I hoped to have would have required my creativity and time, both of which are limited resources when you're running the career race. So, we kept the white walls, with no time to hang the framed pictures of our wedding day .

I started therapy during this time, and I was forced to address the fear and anxiety that had pushed me to jump head-first into a career I wasn't sure about. Toward the end of my first semester , I knew this career was not for me. I wasn't able to invest in my marriage. I wasn't able to write creatively on topics that mattered. I wasn't becoming who I wanted to be.

So, I left the program, prompting everyone in my life to wonder why I would leave a school that would earn me the highest degree you can get in academics.

I chose to be a wife and mother instead

After leaving my program, I felt relief, then sadness, and then relief again. Undergrad was about becoming myself, but graduate school showed me the realities of unbecoming — unbecoming a perfectionist, unbecoming a planner, and unbecoming a high-achiever . The pain of unbecoming had given me the freedom to change.

When I let go of grinding toward a career, I learned about my desire to be a mother. I wanted to share the beauties of the world with someone else, someone I created. Now, I'm pregnant .

When I let go of the negative connotations of being a stay-at-home wife, I realized my desire to make my home into a creative and comfortable space. So, I created it. When I let go of the fear of being a wife, I saw my husband as a compassionate, servant, and loving person who needed it in return. Now, I give love freely. When I let go of the fear of people seeing me as wasted potential, I found writing again. So, I write.

This is not what I expected for my post-graduation life , but my life is both better and different than my expectations.

In the year after graduation, I've learned that becoming's shadow is unbecoming. They exist together. The becoming is full of excitement and hope. The unbecoming is full of pain, truth, and even fear. But there's hope on the horizon.

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Courses and Curriculum

The course catalog contains descriptions of courses offered at the School of Law. Not all courses are offered every year. Information on offerings is available inside the individual catalog pages.

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Please note that the Law School makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the courses listed in the course catalog are offered as scheduled. On occasion, however, circumstances or events beyond the control of the Law School can result in a class being cancelled, reassigned to a different professor, or offered on a different day or at a different time. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience that this may cause you.

Schedule of Classes

The course offerings have information specific to the particular section and professor who is offering the course. You will find information about grading, prerequisites, and other offering-specific information here. Links to the course schedules can be found on the left side of this page.

Courses by Requirement Fulfilled

A student must complete all of the following to be eligible for graduation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law:

• Foundations of Legal Research (1 credit) Must be taken during the second year. Three sections of this course will be offered each Fall semester. LAW 5386: Foundations of Legal Research »
• Legal Profession (Ethics) Courses satisfying the Legal Profession requirement provide substantial instruction in the values, rules, and responsibilities of the legal profession and its members. Legal Profession »
• Upper Level Legal Writing Requirement (ULW) This requirement is satisfied by a paper of substantial length requiring the student to explore, on the basis of significant research in legal sources, the interrelationships of issues presented in a complex context, and must be fulfilled through a seminar, legal writing independent study or other course specifically designated as meeting the upper-level writing requirement. Only members of the full-time faculty may supervise papers to satisfy the ULW requirement. A paper must receive a grade of B- or better to satisfy the ULW requirement. Upper-Level Writing »
• Writing Requirement ("W") This requirement is fulfilled by completing either 1) a second/separate seminar, legal writing independent study, or course meeting the upper level legal writing (ULW) requirement as described above or 2) one course designated as satisfying the W requirement. Students must receive a grade of B- or better to satisfy the W requirement. “W” Writing »  
• Experiential Learning Requirement (For the Class of 2019 and thereafter) Beginning with the Class of 2019 (i.e., students admitted to Pitt Law in the Fall 2016 term), each student must complete at least 6 credits of experiential courses that engage students in performance of the experiential skills generally regarded as necessary for effective and responsible participation in the legal profession. Experiential Learning »
• International/Comparative Law Requirement Each student must complete an international law/comparative law course in the second or third year, choosing from a menu of courses designated as satisfying the international/comparative law requirement. International / Comparative »

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Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

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