phd in family law

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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Doctor of Science of Law (JSD)

January 2023, JSD cohort with Professor Amalia Kessler, Associate Dean for Degree Programs

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOW TO APPLY

JSD Candidates

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

Teaching in US Academia

Teaching Outside the US

Working in the Public Interest Sector

Working in the Private Sector

COMMENCEMENT SEVERE WEATHER PLAN: Please learn more about locations for the diploma ceremony and viewing rooms .

LL.M. Program

5005 Wasserstein Hall (WCC) 1585 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge , MA 02138

The LL.M. (Master of Laws) program is a one-year degree program that typically includes 180 students from some 65 countries. The Graduate Program is interested in attracting intellectually curious and thoughtful candidates from a variety of legal systems and backgrounds and with various career plans. Harvard’s LL.M. students include lawyers working in firms, government officials, law professors, judges, diplomats, human rights activists, doctoral students, business people, and others. The diversity of the participants in the LL.M. program contributes significantly to the educational experience of all students at the School.

LL.M. Degree Overview

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School of Law

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

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola online, child & family law (llm).

What defines a family? How are children's rights evolving? The practice of child and family law requires both a sensitive manner and a discerning legal mind. The Master of Laws (LLM) in Child and Family Law degree program is designed to sharpen and inform both needs. We offer a comprehensive study of the latest in child law trial practice and legislation, international rights for children, adoption law, and domestic violence.

The opportunity to work closely with nationally-recognized faculty members and experienced practitioners in the field means you'll be well-versed in this evolving discipline.

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To learn more about state and international authorization of programs, please refer to our State and International Authorization page . To learn more about the accreditation of Loyola University Chicago and its schools, as well as information about professional licensure, visit our Accreditation page .

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Find Law Schools to Study Family Law, Child Advocacy

Prospective law students interested in this field should research schools with specialized training programs and clinics.

How to Study Family Law, Child Advocacy

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Internships and undergraduate coursework are a couple of ways to create a career path in family law.

If you excel at counseling and negotiation and are interested in working closely with clients, often in emotionally charged situations, you may consider a career in family law or child advocacy.

Lawyers who practice in this area mediate, counsel and litigate a wide variety of matters in many subject areas, including estate planning, divorce, spousal support, parental rights, custody, child support, paternity, dependency, and neglect and adoption.

Such diverse and varied opportunities make family law and child advocacy attractive practice areas for prospective law school students. Regardless of economic trends, the political landscape or policy and regulatory changes, family law remains a practice area that is in constant need of committed legal advocates.

If you plan to pursue a career in this field, consider schools that offer specialized training and clinic options when choosing a law school , and take advantage of opportunities to gain relevant experience.

Learn how to

Schools That Offer Specialized Training and Programming

Most law schools offer some coursework in family law and related areas, enabling students to learn the basics. In addition, some law schools have specialized course options or training programs that allow students to focus on family law and learn this area of law in a more in-depth way.

For example, students in Columbia Law School 's J.D. program can choose from a wide variety of courses in family law and related practice areas. Topics covered include basic and advanced family law and domestic violence, for instance. Columbia also hosts a yearly conference relating to child and family advocacy.

Several other schools offer a concentration area in family law. At the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University—Bloomington, for example, if students focus on family law, they will study key issues including divorce, same-sex marriage, abortion, gender roles and property division.

At the DePaul University College of Law , students can earn a certificate in family law as part of the J.D. program. The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University offers an LL.M. program in family law, and Loyola University Chicago offers an LL.M. program in child and family law that students can pursue on either a full- or part-time basis.

These schools also offer students the opportunity to participate in organizations and activities related to family law, such as the Child & Family Law Association at DePaul and the Family Law Society at Indiana. These organizations allow for engagement in the subject matter beyond the confines of the classroom.

Schools With Related Clinic Options

In addition to concentrations, coursework and specialized programming, clinics provide an excellent opportunity for law students to gain hands-on experience in casework and client advocacy in particular areas of law.

Many of the above-mentioned schools also offer clinic options in family law and related areas of study. Columbia, for example, offers a few clinics in areas such as adolescent representation, sexuality and gender law, and incarceration, all of which touch on issues related to family law.

Many other schools that do not offer a family law focus or concentration provide students with experiential learning opportunities and clinic options.

Harvard Law School , for example, offers a Family Law and Domestic Violence Law Clinic. The University of Virginia School of Law has a Family Law Clinic that focuses on mediation, negotiation and creative problem-solving as alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve conflicts in families.

The New York University School of Law offers the Family Defense Clinic and the Juvenile Defender Clinic. The former centers its work on preventing the unnecessary breakup of indigent families and assisting in the reuniting of families touched by the foster care system. In the latter clinic, students represent juveniles charged with committing crimes.

Evaluate the

Prelaw Considerations

Aside from selecting a school with ample coursework, programming and clinic opportunities in family law from which to choose, you should also think about other ways to create a path to a successful career in this area.

• Undergraduate coursework: Consider a major or a minor in subjects like psychology or human development. Any classes that focus on development of interpersonal skills or an understanding of how people think and operate in life will help you thrive as a family law attorney.

• Internship and volunteer work: Seek out opportunities to intern or volunteer for organizations that advocate for families or children, or look to strengthen key skills, such as counseling and oral communication. You could look for internships in family court, for example, or for social service providers. Another option could be to shadow attorneys who practice family law.

Whatever you choose to do, take time to explore whether you enjoy working closely with people in stressful and emotionally trying situations.

• Seek mentors: Network with practitioners in the field and ask for advice and guidance. Develop trusting relationships in which you can take an honest look at your suitability for this kind of work.

• Self-educate: Keep up with current trends in family law by reading related legal publications such as Family Law Quarterly and Family Advocate. As cultural norms shift and the definition of family evolves, the field also changes. It is in your interest to stay abreast of developments.

If you are thinking about a career in family law and related fields, consider specialized programming and clinic opportunities when choosing a law school. In addition, you should get involved in related organizations and look to acquire meaningful and relevant experience so that you are an attractive clinic candidate and are well-positioned for employment prospects in law school and beyond.

Tags: law school , graduate schools , law , family

About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Top 10 Best PhD in Law Programs [2024]

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Top PhD in Law Programs

Yale university, law school.

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

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

Stanford University

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

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

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

The University of Chicago, The Law School

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)

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

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

Columbia University, Law School

JSD Program

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

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

Harvard University, Law School

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

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

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

The University of Pennsylvania, Carey Law School

Doctor of Science of Law (SJD)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

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

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

Abraham Lincoln University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

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

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

Walden University

Online PhD in Criminal Justice

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

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

What Do You Need to Get a PhD in Law?

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

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

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

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

Preparing for a Law Doctorate Program

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

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

Things to Consider When Choosing a Law PhD Program

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

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

Why Get a Doctorate in Law?

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

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

Jobs for PhD in Law Degree Holders

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

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

Course Costs

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

Course Length

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

Skills You’ll Gain through a PhD in Law

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

Communication
Presentation
Critical Thinking
Project Management
Problem Solving

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

PhD in Law FAQs

What is a phd in law called.

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

Is a PhD in Law the Same as a JD?

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

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

What is the Highest Degree in Law?

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

How Long is a PhD in Law?

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

What Does a PhD in Law Do?

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

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

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Doctoral Programs

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PhD, Family Science

Examine family processes and the dynamic interaction of families with their communities

This exciting program examines both internal family processes and the dynamic interaction of families with the biological, psychological, social, political and economic aspects of their environment.

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Perfect for...

Students looking for a small student-to-faculty ratio, award-winning faculty with active research programs, mentors with diverse research expertise and a culturally sensitive learning environment.

Career Paths

Public, non-profit, and private sectors
University teaching
Family policy analysis
Administrative positions in human service programs

Program Overview

The Ph.D. program adopts an ecological or systems approach to the study of families and the problems they face in today's society. The program of study provides doctoral students with a broad knowledge of family theory, research methodology, family policy, family programs, ethnic families, and major issues confronting contemporary families. Students also learn to design, implement, and evaluate culturally-sensitive interventions addressing family needs and to analyze the consequences of public/private policies on family well-being.

Visit the Department of Family Science site.

For more information, see the Family Science flyer .

Find a lab.

Upon graduating with a Ph.D. in Family Science, students will be able to:

Design and evaluate programmatic interventions to address social, behavioral, health, economic, and other family issues.
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in research, program planning and evaluation, and policy related to family health and well-being.
Analyze family health policy, evaluate health care policy issues, and conduct a family impact study.
Design and implement a theory-based research project that addresses a significant family or family health issue and write an empirical manuscript for publication.

The Family Science Ph.D. program requires 57 graduate credit hours, including family science core courses (20 credits), research methods courses (16 credits), electives (6 credits), research internship (3 credits), and dissertation credits (12 credits). Please consult with your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies as individual study plans may differ. All Ph.D. students must have a Master’s Degree from an accredited or approved program prior to matriculation to the Ph.D. program. All Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination with its oral defense and complete a dissertation with its oral defense.

The PhD Student Handbook
PhD Degree Requirements
Graduate Student Ombudsman
Graduate Assistantship Policies
Department of Family Science Graduate Student Advising and Mentoring Policy

Department of Family Science

Dr. Tanner Kilpatrick Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Family and Human Development, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

Location: Tempe campus
Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Family and Human Development

The PhD program in family and human development is devoted to the study of families, children and youth. The program's research, teaching and service have direct meaning in the lives of children and adults and for their families and communities.

The faculty share a common commitment to high-quality research that both increases the basic understanding of human and family development and has the potential to contribute to the improvement of the lives of children and families.

Applications open September 1st and are due by December 1st to begin the program the following fall. Admissions made for the fall semester only.

The Ph.D. program in Family and Human Development is designed to train researchers in developmental and family science. Students take core courses in family sciences, human development, research methodology, statistics, and diversity. The aims of the program are to train students to become researchers with an area of specialization in Family and Human Development. Graduate students are expected to develop competencies in research methods and in theoretical orientations relevant to their area of study.

A minimum of 85 hours is required.

Courses and Electives

Training in Family and Human Development involves coursework in theory, research methods, statistics, diversity, and areas related to students' own interests or specialization. The program of study is developed in collaboration with one's doctoral advisor/mentor. The program follows a mentorship model of training. Students work closely with faculty members to develop research skills through involvement in projects.

Additional Information

Financial support, sanford school graduate student financial support.

The Sanford School is dedicated to supporting our graduate students. As such, we provide many different funding opportunities to our graduate students.

Assistantships

Currently, the programs in family and human development and sociology have several teaching assistantship (TA) and research assistantship (RA) positions. These positions require that recipients work 10-20 hours per week for faculty to whom they are assigned for the period August-May. The TA is responsible for contacting the faculty to whom they are assigned by the day their contract begins, approximately August 16. Selection of TAs and their assignments is a complex process and is based on meeting the needs of the courses, faculty, students and funding requirements.

Responsibilities

Teaching assistant responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Grading class assignments.
Developing teaching materials.
Conferring with students.
Recording and posting grades.
Assisting with preparation of tests.
Proctoring exams for faculty.
Abstracting research articles.
Updating bibliographies.
In addition, TAs will give classroom presentations as requested.

RAs work with faculty members on research projects. Responsibilities are determined by the faculty member in consultation with the student.

Qualifications

TAs and RAs must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or above, be admitted with regular status to a graduate program, and must complete six hours of graduate work each semester towards on their program of study. Preference is given to those graduate students enrolled in the family and human development or sociology program in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.

Specializations

In addition to the general doctoral degree track in Family and Human Development, students can focus and organize their elective coursework to reflect areas of specialization. At the present time, three areas of specialization are available: Quantitative Methodology, Social and Emotional Development (SED), and Diverstiy and Inclusion Science (DISI). Graduate students may concentrate their studies in one of these areas or may combine two areas to meet their specific research interests.

Diversity and Inclusion Science (DISI)

The PhD in Family and Human Development offers a training specialization for students interested in theoretical, methodological, and research perspectives on children, youth, and families from underrepresented groups. This specialization aligns with a larger Diversity and Inclusion Science Initiative (DISI) in the Sanford School. Students who choose the Diversity and Inclusion Science specialization will take two required courses. One focuses on theory and methods as they apply to the study of underrepresented groups (CDE 598: Introduction to Theory and Methods in the Study of Diversity and Inclusion Science) and a second course involves the in-depth exploration of issues related to study, biases, and interactions with underrepresented groups (CDE 598: Interpersonal Interactions and Perspectives in the Study of Diversity and Inclusion Science). Students who have interest in underrepresented populations in the field of human development and family studies, broadly defined by socioeconomic status, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability/health status, or other populations that are underrepresented, are encouraged to specialize in Diversity and Inclusion Science.

18 hours total Core Courses

REQUIRED = 6 hours (instructor approval required)

CDE 598: Introduction to Theory and Methods in Diversity and Inclusion Science . This course will provide an overview of theoretical frameworks and methodological issues as they apply to the study of underrepresented populations in our field.
CDE 598: Interpersonal Interactions and Perspectives in Diversity and Inclusion Science . This course will explore interpersonal experiences, biases, and strategies for working with different populations that are underrepresented in the field.

ELECTIVES = 12 hours

*The below list is not exhaustive.

Sanford School Elective Courses

CDE 610: Gender Development
CDE 598: Latino Families and Children
CDE 598: Culture and Biology
FAS 591: Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity
CDE 598: Poverty
CDE 534: Risk and Resilience
CDE/FAS 590: Readings and Conference (1 to 3 credits)**
CDE/FAS 592/792: Research (1 to 3 credits)**

Elective Courses from other units

AFR 598: Women’s International and Human Rights
AFR 598: Peoples and Cultures of Africa
APA: Graduate Level Courses in Asian American Psychology
AIS 503: Contemporary Issues of American Indian Nations
JUS 560: Women, Law, and Social Control
JUS 691: Sexuality and Social Justice
JUS 598: The Social Construction of Disability
PSY 591: Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
WST 502: Gender Research Methods
WST 602: Mapping Intersections Gender
WST 603: Engendering Methodology

*Additional electives will be considered by the Diversity and Inclusion Science faculty as they apply to this area of specialization. Students should submit the course syllabus and a memo explaining the fit of the course within the students’ diversity science specialization for courses not listed above.

**Students are encouraged to take up to three elective credits to propose innovative teaching, service, and research activities that contribute to inclusion and diversity science. Such projects will require supervision by a faculty member and can range from contributing to a course or seminar (e.g., lecture, activities), conducting a case study, supervising an undergraduate or conducting an applied project to enhance one’s experience with an underrepresented group, or developing a manuscript or research project. Innovative ideas proposed by doctoral students are welcome.

Completion of this specialization requires that at least 9 hours of the requirements be taken within the Sanford School. All courses counting toward specialization must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.

For additional information, please contact:

Kimberly Updegraff DISI Coordinator Email: [email protected] (480) 965-6669

Quantitative Methodology

The Sanford School (SSFD) offers specialized training for students interested in the study of Quantitative Methodology. The Quantitative Methodology specialization is open to any doctoral student in SSFD. Students choosing the Quantitative Methodology specialization will undertake in-depth study of statistical and measurement methodologies that offer great utility for research in human development, family studies, sociology, and education, among other areas. Faculty and students interested in quantitative methods study, evaluate, and develop statistical and measurement methods applicable to investigating issues in family and human development, sociology, and related fields. Students whose primary interest is in measurement, methods, and statistical modeling should complete the Quantitative Methodology specialization, along with additional coursework and research focused on quantitative methods. Students whose primary interest is in other substantive areas within Family and Human Development or Sociology but who would like to develop strength in measurement and statistical analysis should also consider the Quantitative Methodology specialization.

How to Apply:

The Quantitative Methodology specialization is open to any doctoral student in the Sanford School. Prospective students should apply either through the PhD in Family and Human Development program or the PhD in Sociology program. Please see the Graduate Handbook: Program in Family and Human Development or the Graduate Handbook: Program in Sociology for full descriptions of the application process. Existing students may apply for the Quantitative Methodology Specialization by completing this form.

Faculty affiliated with the Quantitative Methodology Specialization and their methodological interests are as follows:

Dawn DeLay – social network analysis, dyadic analysis, interdependent (nonindependent) data, and longitudinal social relationship models

Masumi Iida – multilevel modeling of longitudinal and dyadic data

Justin Jager – structural equation modeling, latent growth modeling, pattern-centered analysis (e.g., latent class analysis and growth-mixture modeling)

Roy Levy – psychometrics, item response theory, structural equation modeling, Bayesian networks, Bayesian inference, and assessment design

Holly O'Rourke - mediation analysis and statistical performance of mediation models, longitudinal mediation models, latent change score models, structural equation models for longitudinal data, statistical power

Connor Sheehan – Longitudinal methods, bio-statistics, demographic techniques, event history analysis.

Monica Tsethlikai - structural equation modeling, Bayesian statistics for small samples, item response theory

Marilyn Thompson – structural equation modeling, factor analysis, measurement invariance, multilevel modeling of longitudinal and clustered data

Natalie Eggum – longitudinal data analyses within a structural equation model framework

The Quantitative Methodology specialization requires 18 hours total:

REQUIRED = 6 hours

*Requirements assume Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences I, Lab I, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences II, and Lab II as prerequisites

SSFD's Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the Social Sciences (introduction to matrix algebra, principal components analyses, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, fundamentals of structural equation modeling)
SSFD's Structural Equation Modeling for the Social Sciences (theory and application of structural equation modeling; path analysis, latent regression models, multiple group analysis, models for longitudinal data)

*The below list is not exhaustive. The Quantitative Methodology specialization elective hours can overlap with courses taken toward a degree program’s statistics electives requirements. Note that Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences I and Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences II courses do NOT count as an elective for the Quantitative Methodology specialization.

Pattern-Centered Analysis
Bayesian Methods
Advanced Bayesian Methods
Mediation Analysis
Experimental and Quasi-experimental Designs for Research

Measurement

Item Response Theory

Statistical Methods for Small Group and Longitudinal Designs

Analysis of Dyadic Interaction
Structural Equation Modeling with Longitudinal Data
Latent Growth and Mixture Models with Longitudinal Data

Statistical Methods for Large and Complex Samples

Social Network Analysis
Large/Secondary Dataset Analysis

Appropriate substitutions will be considered by the Methodology faculty if required courses are not offered within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., due to faculty sabbaticals or other leaves of absence). Completion of the Quantitative Methodology specialization requires that at least 12 hours of the requirements be taken within the Sanford School (this does not include the introduction sequence). All courses counting toward the Quantitative Methodology specialization must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.

Natalie Eggum, Coordinator, Quantitative Methodology Specialization Email: [email protected]

Social and Emotional Development (SED)

The PhD in Family and Human Development offers a training specialization for students interested in the study of social and emotional development (SED) across the life span. Students choosing the SED specialization will learn about contemporary theories, methodologies, and bodies of empirical research pertaining to a range of issues in broadly defined adaptive and maladaptive processes in social and emotional development. Students may also become involved in research in other disciplines that informs the understanding of aspects of social-emotional development. Examples of such disciplines include family dynamics, intervention research, social networks, neuroscience, psychophysiology, and developmental psychopathology.

The SED specialization requires 18 hours total:

CDE 598 Social and Emotional Development
CDE 612 Peer Relationships
CDE 534 Risk and Resilience
CDE 612 Gender Development
CDE 634 Prevention and Child Development
EDP 691 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
CDE 698 Social-Emotional Development in Atypical Children
PSY 578 Development and Psychopathology
CDE/SOC 598 Social Networks
CDE 598 Play and Development
CDE/FAS 590 Readings and Conference (3 hours only)
CDE 598 Bullying/Aggression
FAS 598 Parenting
Others as approved

Gary Ladd, SED Coordinator Email: [email protected] (480) 727‐6621

Each specialization builds on the basic PhD program in Family and Human Development but provides students with focused coursework and training in areas of strength within the unit. Opportunities to learn from expert faculty within and outside of the Sanford School are reflected in the specializations.

Students do not have to declare a specialization, but those who do will follow the guidelines for the specialization to ensure that training is guided and coherent. Each specialization is designed to enhance students' training and research, such that a programmatic area of expertise is developed.

Working with Faculty

The Core FHD Graduate Program Faculty are primarily responsible for training FHD doctoral students. In addition, students may also work with other Sanford School faculty members in Family and Human Development and Sociology. See the list below of research faculty members and their interests.

All faculty members are eligible to serve as chairs of master’s committees.

In addition, because ASU sponsors a graduate faculty model, faculty from academic units outside of the Sanford School may also be eligible to serve on the committees of FHD doctoral students.

For a current list of our eligible graduate faculty, please see https://graduateapps.asu.edu/graduate-faculty

Program Faculty

How to apply, how to apply, how do i apply to the doctoral program in family and human development.

Applications are due by December 1st to begin the program the following fall. Admissions made for the fall semester only.

Follow these steps to complete the application process.

1. Graduate College Application

Complete the Graduate College at ASU application at https://admission.asu.edu/contact

Send official materials to Graduate Admission Services https://admission.asu.edu/graduate/apply

ASU transcripts do not need to be sent

2. Other required supplemental materials

Submit all of the following materials online via the Graduate College Application at https://webapp4.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp

Resume or curriculum vitae. Must summarize the academic and employment experiences of the applicant.
State your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in this program.
Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
Describe, in detail, your research experience (include a description of your master's thesis if applicable). Describe the relevant responsibilities you have held.
Indicate your personal research interests as specifically as possible.
Identify two or three faculty whose research interest matches your own. Explain why you believe these are good matches (view faculty interests).
Include any additional information that you feel will help the committee evaluate your application.
Three letters of recommendation. Must include at least one from an instructor at the applicant's institution where undergraduate or graduate work was completed. These letters should be from people who know you as a student or in a professional capacity. Letters from family members or friends do not meet this criterion.

As part of the online graduate application you will submit the names and work email addresses for your three recommenders. Your recommenders will be sent instructions on how to electronically send their recommendations.

3. International Students – Required additional materials

International applicants must also meet all of the requirements and supply all of the information requested by the Graduate College at https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate-apply .

How are admissions decisions made?

Admission to the Doctoral Program in Family and Human Development is competitive. Applicants will be short-listed based on a review of all submitted materials, including official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, verbal, quantitative, statement of goals relevant to the doctoral program, three letters of recommendation, resume or CV, and complete application for admission to the Graduate College. Those applicants who make the short-list will be invited to visit in the spring for an interview. Final admissions decisions will be made following the interview.

Students are admitted for the fall semester only.

If you have any questions about the online application procedures or about the program, please contact [email protected]

Degree Requirements

85 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (1 credit hour) FAS 503 Academic Professional Development (1)

Other Requirements (26 credit hours) CDE 531 Theoretical Issues in Child Development (3) FAS 500 Research Methods (3) FAS 513 Introduction to Regression and Linear Models (4) FAS 514 Advanced Regression and Nonlinear Models (4) FAS 531 Theoretical Issues in Family Sciences (3) two graduate-level courses in advanced methods or statistics (6) one graduate-level diversity course (3)

Research (6 credit hours) FAS or CDE 592 Research (6)

Electives (40 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) FAS or CDE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Postbaccalaureate (students entering after the bachelor's degree): Of the 85 credit hours for a postbaccalaureate program, six credit hours are dedicated to an empirical project, and 12 credit hours are for the dissertation.

Post-master's (students entering after the master's degree): When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this credential. Of the 55 credit hours of the post-master's degree program, 12 credit hours are for the dissertation.

Electives should be chosen in consultation with and approval of the advisor. Electives may be selected within or outside the Sanford School. All elective courses must be 500 level or higher.

Substitutions for all courses listed under other requirements may be made per department approval.

For the diversity course requirement, students should refer to the department for a list of approved courses.

For the advanced methods or statistics requirement, students take two courses with content that advances beyond Quantitative Methods I and II.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

graduate admission application and application fee
official transcripts
a resume or curriculum vitae
statement of goals relevant to the doctoral program
three letters of recommendation
proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The personal statement must be four to six pages, double-spaced, and address the applicant's professional goals, the applicant's strengths that will enable them to succeed in the program, a detailed description of past research experience, relevant professional experiences or responsibilities, and specific personal research interests. The applicant also must identify two or three faculty members whose research interests match their own and explain why they are good matches.

Three letters of recommendation are required. These must include at least one from an instructor at the institution where the applicant completed their undergraduate or graduate work. The letters should be from people who know the applicant in a professional or academic capacity; letters from family members or friends do not meet this criterion.

Students should see the program website for full application deadlines.

Core Courses (25 credits)

FAS 531: Theoretical Issues in Family Sciences CDE 531: Theoretical Issues in Child Development

Diversity Course FAS 500: Research Methods ANOVA Multiple Regression

2 Advanced Statistics Courses FAS 503: Professional Development

Elective Courses (42 credits)

Optional specializations include Diversity and Inclusion Science, Quantitative Methodology, and Social and Emotional Development.

Student will work with their advisor to identify elective courses in the area of expertise that the student would like to develop.

Research (6 credits)

FAS or CDE 592

Empirical Portfolio Project: Students who enter the program with their bachelor's degree will complete a portfolio project in the form of an empirical project to earn their master's in passing. The empirical portfolio project consists of original work on a specific research problem. The problem is decided upon by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee chair. After selection of a research problem, the student develops a research proposal and makes a formal presentation of it to the supervisory committee for critical review and formal acceptance (called the Portfolio Proposal Meeting). The portfolio project can be formatted as a traditional document (i.e., including an introduction, literature review, method, plan of analyses/results, and discussion) or as an empirical article in the format specified for empirical articles in the relevant current edition of the publication manual by the American Psychological Association .

Comprehensive Exam: The comprehensive exam fulfills a number of purposes. On one level, this exam allows students to independently demonstrate the breadth and depth of their knowledge, their ability to think critically, and their readiness to write their dissertation proposal to their supervisory committee. On another level, comprehensive exams should challenge students to utilize and integrate what they have learned in their coursework, and to independently develop a research plan that potentially will sustain their investigative efforts past their doctoral dissertation and into the early years of their career. There are two format options for the exam: students select either (a) grant application or (b) psychological bulletin article.

Dissertation (12 credits)

FAS or CDE 799

Dissertation: The doctoral dissertation must be the product of original scholarship and must make a significant contribution to knowledge in the field and demonstrate the student's mastery of systematic research methods. The dissertation should be completed using one of two formats: (a) traditional dissertation proposal; or (b) two or three original and distinct empirical articles. For the traditional dissertation option, the prospectus should include a pertinent review of the literature, statement of the problem, the purpose of the proposed study, description of the research design and methods, and discussion of the specific means by which the data will be analyzed (i.e., an introduction and literature review, method, and plan of analysis). For the empirical articles option, the prospectus should include an introduction that provides the broad theoretical rational, statement of the problem and how it will be divided into 2 or 3 studies, and integration of the 2 to 3 planned studies.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

Apply research methods, including study design, measurement, and analyses in their final exam and dissertation.
Apply their understanding of theoretical perspectives to the field of child and family development in their final project and/or final exam.
Able to implement a major independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the field of family and human development.

Career Opportunities

Graduates possess knowledge and skills necessary for promoting healthy individual and family development as they study the factors that promote successful relationships and positive outcomes for individuals, families and communities across the life span. Graduates often pursue careers working with children, youth and adults in human, social and government agencies or take on leadership roles as researchers in a university, in a public or privately funded agency, in an industry or in government.

Career examples include:

community support program officials
government agency administrators and professionals
instructors
nonprofit organization administrators
research professionals

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

[email protected]
480/965-6875

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School of Law

Postgraduate research opportunities
Family Law PhD scholarship

Description

The international family law rules applicable in Scotland are European in character. Since 1968 a body of harmonised European rules of jurisdiction (the courts of which country/countries are competent to hear a case), applicable law (the system of law to be applied by the court to determine the rights of the parties in cases involving foreign elements), and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments (the extent to which recognition is given to decisions of foreign courts, and the manner of enforcing such judgments) has operated in Scotland. Over decades, Scotland (as part of the UK) has engaged with the harmonisation of laws agenda, towards the establishment and consolidation of a European judicial area.

More European citizens than ever before live, work or study in an EU State other than that of their nationality. Individuals and families are increasingly mobile, and growing numbers of couples and families living in Scotland are international, comprising individuals of different nationalities, or originating from different countries. The consequences of relationship breakdown are particularly difficult for such families, with estranged parties often having conflicting personal, financial and legal interests.

Clear, workable rules of jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are essential in the context of cross-border divorce, child contact/access, and family maintenance claims. The European judicial cooperation agenda has sought to protect children and families where one or more individuals move(s) from one Member State to another. European law currently forms the basis of the rules which operate in Scotland to regulate these matters, and affords protection of children and adults in cases of family breakdown, e.g., in accessing a divorce court and ensuring divorces are recognised across borders; in securing rights of residence and contact in respect of children; and concerning the enforcement abroad of family maintenance obligations. The European framework protects children’s rights to be heard, and the rights of other family members.

Brexit will have the effect that the current scheme of rules of jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in child and family law will cease to apply in Scotland. Family law judgments issued in Scottish courts no longer will be given effect in other EU countries under the European scheme. The dismantling of the European scheme in Scotland will adversely affect international families living in Scotland who are caught up in family breakdown.

The Ph.D. will review the historical, political and sociological background to the Europeanisation of international family law, and will assess the impact of that process on international families living in Scotland. It will investigate the consequences of Brexit on cross-border child and family law in Scotland, and the implications for children and families living in Scotland. It will explore potential avenues for ensuring that Scots law continues to protect children and families in the cross-border setting.

Eligibility

Home/EU and International applicants are eligible to apply.

A First or Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree in Law or a Master's qualification in Law or equivalent is required. However, applications will be considered from candidates in the final year of their Law degree, subject to the provision of a statement from at least one referee regarding the applicant’s projected final Honours degree classification.

Preference will be accorded to applicants who demonstrate proficiency in international private law (private international law/conflict of laws) and/or international family law.

The scholarship is open to +3 (3 years PhD only) commencing in October 2018 and will provide:

a stipend at the RCUK rate (2018-19 rate is £14,777 Full-Time)
100% tuition fee waiver
access to the Research Training Support Grant

How to Apply

All applicants should complete and collate the following documentation then attach to a single email and send to [email protected] with the subject line ‘CoSS Scholarship - The Europeanisation of International Private Law application' by 13 May 2018.

1. Academic Transcript(s) and Degree Certificate(s)

Final or current degree transcripts including grades and degree certificates (and official translations, if needed) - scanned copy in colour of the original documents.

2. References

Two references on headed paper (academic and/or professional).

At least one reference must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. Your references should be on official headed paper. These should also be signed by the referee.

If your referees would prefer to provide confidential references direct to the University then we can also accept the reference by email, from the referee's official university or business email account to [email protected] clearly labelling the reference e.g. “<applicant name> CoSS Scholarship Reference”.

3. Copy of CV

4. applicant statement.

A 1-2 page document outlining your skills and experience and your proposed contribution to the research project.

Any application which fails to meet the above requirements will not be considered.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed by the Project Team and shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview.

All scholarship awards are subject to candidates successfully securing admission to a PhD programme within the College of Social Sciences. Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme after they are selected for funding.

Schools & departments

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Law

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

The Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, collegial and enriching community of legal, sociolegal and criminology researchers and offers an excellent setting for doctoral research.

Edinburgh Law School is ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research by Research Professional, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

Our doctoral researchers are key to the School’s research activities, and we work hard to ensure that they are fully engaged with staff and projects across all of our legal disciplines.

You will find opportunities in the following fields:

company and commercial law
comparative law
constitutional and administrative law
criminal law
criminology and criminal justice
environmental law
European law, policy and institutions
European private law
evidence and procedure
gender and sexuality
human rights law
information technology law
intellectual property law
international law
legal theory
medical law and ethics
obligations
contract delict
unjustified enrichment
property, trusts and successions
Roman law and legal history
socio-legal studies

Training and support

Doctoral researchers enjoy full access to the University’s research skills training which the Law School complements with a tailored research and wider skills programme.

The training programme in Year One (six seminars) includes workshops on research design, writing and research ethics.

The focus of the training programme in Year Two and Three is on supporting the dissemination of work with opportunities to present work.

Opportunities are also available for research exchanges through the League of European Research (LERU) network, as well as an annual research training exchange programme with KU Leuven.

Find out more about the training and support available

Doctoral researchers are able to draw upon a fantastic range of resources and facilities to support their research.

The Law School has one of the most significant academic law libraries in the UK which offers outstanding digital resources alongside a world-leading print collection (almost 60,000 items including a unique collection for Scots law research).

You will also have access to the University’s Main Library which has one of the largest and most important collections in Britain, as well as the legal collection of the National Library of Scotland.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the PhD, the majority of our students progress to postdoctoral research or lecturing and teaching roles.

Recent graduates have also found employment in roles as diverse as prison governor, solicitor and policy adviser for organisations including:

the International Criminal Court
Anderson Strathern
HM Prison Service

Our PhD programme

Edinburgh Law School can offer expert supervision across an exceptional range of subject areas for PhD study.

A PhD at Edinburgh Law School involves undertaking independent research, culminating in the submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words, which should be an original piece of work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of study and contains material worthy of publication.

As a doctoral student, you will join a diverse community of around 100 postgraduate researchers and will become an integral part of the intellectual life of the School.

Find our more about studying for a PhD at Edinburgh Law School

Studying for a PhD video

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

PhD Law: a UK 2:1 honours degree in law, arts or social sciences, and a UK Masters degree with at least 60% in the taught section and 65% or more in the dissertation, or their international equivalents.

The majority of our applicants have studied law, but we are a comprehensive Law School covering a range of approaches to legal topics including social science, historical and philosophical enquiry; applications from non-law students with relevant studies and experience will be considered and if you require further guidance please contact us.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

Entry requirements by country
English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 25 in writing and 23 in all other components.
C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 185 in writing and 176 in all other components.
Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 70 in writing and 62 in all other components.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Law funding opportunities
Research scholarships for international students
Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

your programme
the duration of your studies
your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Search for funding

Further information

Postgraduate Research Office
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2022
Contact: [email protected]
School of Law (Postgraduate Research Office)
Old College
South Bridge
Central Campus
Programme: Law
School: Law
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Law - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd law - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

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Best schools for family law.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 01/17/23

This article covers some of the best schools for family law in the United States.

Family law covers various aspects that affect our everyday lives. Family lawyers may handle cases that involve domestic abuse, child custody, divorce, education advocacy, juvenile rights, reproductive rights, asset distribution, and adoption and surrogacy, to name a few.

Family lawyers work closely with their clients to advocate for them during pivotal points in their lives. While practicing family law can, at times, be emotionally complex and challenging, family lawyers have the opportunity to make effective, positive changes in clients’ lives.

If you have an interest in family law, continue reading for a list of the best schools for family law. We also have included a brief FAQ section to help you start your journey into family law.

Top Schools for Family Law

Here is a list of the best law schools for family law, in no particular order. Tuition costs are all based on in-state tuition rates.

Harvard Law School

Why pick Harvard: Harvard Law School offers a “Domestic Violence and Family Law” Clinic where students have the opportunity to interview clients, negotiate with opposite parties, represent clients, draft legal documents, and more.

Acceptance rate: 13%

Median LSAT Score of accepted applicants: 174

Median GPA : 3.75

Tuition: $70,430 per year

Columbia University

Why pick Columbia: Columbia University has a renowned family law program that focuses on the intersections of family, gender, and sexuality. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first woman who was a full-time professor at the Law School.

Acceptance rate: 11.3%

Median GPA: 3.84

Tuition: $75,572 per year

DePaul University - College of Law

Why pick DePaul University: DePaul’s College of Law has an innovative family law program with a variety of options for students, including a Domestic Violence Practicum, Externship Program, and a Family Law Field Clinic .

Acceptance rate: 59%

Median LSAT Score of accepted applicants: 156

Median GPA: 3.57

Tuition: $49,644 per year

Maurer School of Law

Why pick Maurer School of Law: Maurer School of Law has a strong family law program with various student activities and publications that pertain to family law topics like gender, marriage, and reproductive rights. The school also provides students with hands-on experience working in a family-law office through their family office program .

Acceptance rate: 36%

Median LSAT Score of accepted applicants: 164

Median GPA: 3.77

Tuition: $36,647 per year

NYU School of Law

Why pick New York Law School: NYU recently launched a year-long “ Juvenile Defender Clinic ” that allows students to work closely with youth and youth-related issues, including alcohol abuse and educational neglect.

Acceptance rate: 52%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 153

Median GPA: 3.47

Tuition: $57,694

Michigan Law

Why pick Michigan Law: Michigan Law has a team of acclaimed faculty as well as a law library with over 500,000 titles.

Acceptance rate: 28%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 171

Median GPA: 3.84

Tuition: $66,808

Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University

Why pick Maurice A. Deane School of Law: Hofstra ’s law school has programs and training in areas prominent in current family law, including youth advocacy, immigration, and community development. The school also has one of the best Child and Family Advocacy Fellowships in the nation.

Acceptance rate: 48.1%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 156

Median GPA: 3.42

Tuition: $64,022

Drake University

Why pick Drake University: Drake University has been named one of the top law schools in the U.S. for family and child law several times, based on curriculum, course offerings, and clinics.

Acceptance rate: 66.4%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 155

Median GPA: 3.5

Tuition: $42,462

Emory University School of Law

Why pick Emory University School of Law: Emory is ranked at #30 of the best law schools to attend and #23 on the National Law Journal’s “Go To Law Schools” list. They offer an LLM concentration in Child Law and Policy .

Acceptance rate: 29.6%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 165

Median GPA: 3.79

Tuition: $57,348

School of Law - University of Oregon

Why pick the School of Law at the University of Oregon: The University of Oregon was ranked #1 in Legal Research and Writing in the state of Oregon by U.S. News and World Report. The school also has domestic abuse and child advocacy concentrations.

Acceptance rate: 50.4%

Median LSAT score of accepted applicants: 157

Median GPA : 3.40

Tuition: $44,082

FAQs: Family Law Schools

Still have questions about going into family law? Continue reading as we answer some frequently asked questions about family law.

1. What is the Best Major for Family Law?

While no perfect undergraduate degree will ensure your success in family law, it is best to pick a program that interests you and relates to your future career goals.

Majors like Political Science, Psychology, and Criminal Justice, are some of the most common undergraduate programs taken by applicants accepted into law school. Other majors that may help prepare you for family law include English, History, and Economics.

However, remember that your overall GPA and LSAT score are more important when applying for law school than your undergraduate program title. Degrees that will help build your empathy, critical thinking skills, writing skills, time management skills, and political knowledge are probably the best options for an aspiring family lawyer.

2. How Can I Become a Family Lawyer?

New England Law School has an in-depth article that discusses everything you need to know about becoming a family law lawyer . Here are some highlights:

Pass Your Undergrad

This is the first requirement; perform well throughout your undergrad because law schools highly take your GPA into consideration.

Perform Well on the LSAT

Law schools take your LSAT score into great consideration–the better you do, the higher your chances of acceptance are.

Pick a School and Program That Has a Reputable Family Law Program

Research law schools that have strong family law programs. After admission, take as many family law courses as you can to get the experience and theoretical knowledge you need. Additionally, this will be a good opportunity to pick your area of focus, whether it be divorce law, domestic abuse, juvenile law, or something else.

Network With Your Peers and Faculty

Building meaningful relationships with your classmates and professors can lead to potential job opportunities once you graduate.

Participate in Hands-on Learning and Experiential Learning

Students should gain as much practical experience as possible in family law and network with practicing attorneys in their area of interest. Additionally, getting as much exposure to family law will allow you to decide if family law is something you wish to pursue as a career.

Get Experience

After obtaining a J.D., many individuals choose to work for non-profit organizations, government agencies, or even start their own firms.

3. How Long Does it Take to Study Family Law?

Studying family law takes the same amount of time as most other areas of law. To become a family lawyer, you must complete your J.D. like any other law student. This typically takes three years if you are studying full-time.

4. What Course Should I Take to Become a Family Lawyer?

As mentioned previously, there is no specific undergraduate degree or courses that will ensure your success in family law. However, subjects that cover government, politics, and humanities may increase your understanding of topics relevant to family law.

While you complete your J.D., you should take as many family law courses as you can. Taking a variety of courses will also help you discover the area of focus you’re most interested in.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best school for family law can be challenging. If you are seriously considering practicing family and child law, this article aims to show you that there are many great family law schools out there.

With so many options, you’re sure to receive an education with extensive and exceptional course offerings, programs, and clinics to build your expertise and career.

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Law research.

MPhil/PhD Law Research from The Dickson Poon School of Law at King's College London.

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We have a thriving cohort of PhD students from all over the world. Their projects cover a broad range of topics from intellectual property to information technology, from competition law to counter-rules, from global justice to gender equality.

You can meet some of our current PhD students on our Faculty's People pages.

Our research programme is overseen by the Vice Dean for Research, Professor Michael Schillig and the Director for Doctoral Studies, Dr Aleksandra Jordanoska.

Candidates should identify and approach their potential first supervisor before applying. Applications from candidates without a named, agreed supervisor from the School will not be considered. View our people page to match your interests with our academic's broad range of research expertise.

Our PhD programme accepts projects in any area of legal research, subject to supervisory availability.

What We Offer

You will join our academic staff on the premises in Somerset House East Wing where we have a dedicated suite of hot desking spaces available to our research students.

Mere minutes from the Strand Campus you will find the Maughan Library which serves as King College London’s library for law, social science, and the arts and humanities. As a King’s researcher you will also have access to the resources of other London universities including those at Senate House (home to the University of London’s research library), the British Library of Economics and Political Science at LSE, and the libraries of both Birkbeck College and the School of Oriental and African Studies in Bloomsbury. You also have access to The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) - the premier legal research library in London.

We provide a research allowance to each PhD student to support you with conference attendance, training, and development during your PhD. Additionally, we run multiple internal schemes for Research Development that can help you with the costs of travel and accomodation related to your PhD research. The Dickson Poon School of Law has also had great success supporting students with the Modern Law Review bursary over the last four years.

Student life

The Dickson Poon School of Law is home to one of the largest communities of doctoral researchers in the country and prides itself on the vibrant life of its doctoral programme. Our researchers are an integral part of the King’s community and fully participate in staff research events alongside faculty members.

The Dickson Poon School of Law is also home to various research centres and groupings which enjoy strong international and national reputations. These centres contribute to legal and wider public discourse on important current issues. You may find that your PhD project and research interests align with the themes and scope of one of our research centres or groups, where you will find opportunities to be involved with their projects and activities. For more information, see Our Centres .

Student Representation

As a PhD student, you will be represented at the Faculty level by our Postgraduate Research Student Committee. This is a student-staff liaison committee which includes 4 representatives from the PhD cohort who take a lead in specific areas of concern and make sure that research students’ voices are heard. You are also represented at College level by the King's Doctoral Students' Association which includes members from each Faculty.

Our Law Student Reps provide input into training, inclusion, research activities, and social events. They have organised career development seminars, online writing sessions, and an annual Doctoral Student Sympsium where you will have an opporunity to present work-in-progress to your peers and members of our academic community.

Timeline of a PhD

The structure of the Law PhD is 3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) + 12 months of a 'Writing Up' year. This means most full-time students submit their thesis toward the end of their 4th year.

Over the course of the PhD, your will undertake independent research under the guidance of your supervisors to produce an innovative thesis of up to 100,000 words. This means much of your work is independent and based upon agreed targets with your supervisors.

Entry to the Law Research MPhil/PhD programme is 1st October of each academic year.

During your PhD, progress will be monitored by formal progress reports submitted to our Student Records system every 6 months. You will be expected to regularly meet with your supervisory team and engage in the research community of The Dickson Poon School of Law.

When you arrive

The School runs a series of induction events to complement the events King’s offers to all its postgraduate research students. These events introduce the School, its facilities and allow students to meet your enrolling peers and the wider PhD community. You should meet with your first supervisor within a week or two of enrolment. This meeting will serve to identify your second supervisor, agree the frequency of your meetings, discuss ethics approval and your upgrade. You will submit a student-supervisor agreement following this meeting.

Your first year

Over the course of your first year, you will undertake the compulsory Introduction to Law Research training module. This seminar series will introduce you to the idea of methodology in legal research. It will provide an overview of different legal research methodologies and explore the link between theory and methodology and outline key research skills. At the end of the course you should be able to make an informed decision about your project's research methodology.

All new students will be registered for the MPhil degree with the expectation that they will transfer to the PhD via a process we call the Upgrade. We expect our PhD students to upgrade between 9 -12 months (FT) or 18 - 22 months (PT) after their initial registration. To successfully upgrade, you will produce a significant piece of written work (approximately 20,000 words, usually two draft chapters), a draft abstract (approximately 250 words) and a work plan for completion of the thesis (with goals and completion dates). There is then an oral assessment (a mini-viva) to discuss this work. This meeting is with your first supervisor, an independent assessor (usually from within the School) and a Chair. The key principle for upgrading is that you are well on course to produce research of the required standard within the permitted timescale.

Your second year and third year

The middle part of your PhD has significantly less structure than your first year. Your should continue to have regular supervision meetings and complete regular progress reports throughout your PhD. Depending on the nature of your project and area of study, you might be doing any of the following things in your second, third, or even into your fourth year: Fieldwork, participating in conferences and workshops, undertaking a fellowship or internship, teaching at King's or another London university, coaching one of our several Mooting Teams, continuing to attend training and development seminars, participating in our yearly Doctoral Symposium, or engaging in opportunities with our academic staff and teams such as impact, knowledge exchange, public talks and events. We encourage you to engage with the community of The Dickson Poon School of Law as much as possible during your time here.

Your Final Year

Your final year is often focused on writing a draft of your PhD thesis. After 3 years of full-time registration (or PT equivalent) you will qualify to transfer to 'pending submission' status (also known as 'writing up'). This period marks the end of the data collection and research required for the PhD. 'Pending submission' is a possible registration status which signals you are likely to submit within twelve months. You must adhere to your final submission date (usually four years after registration), regardless of when you transfer into Writing Up, though some students submit earlier than the final submission date. You will also start thinking about examiners for your viva in your final year. These must be formally appointed and approved by the Faculty, so you will want to discuss it with your supervisory team early on.

Submission and final assessment

Assessment is by a thesis, not to exceed 100,000 words and an oral examination of your thesis (your viva). The viva is by two external Examiners who are experts in the field of research being examined.

Law MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UCL Laws has one of the most selective MPhil/PhD programmes in the UK, and produces graduates of internationally recognised quality. Ranked the top UK Law institution for research quality in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), UCL Laws attracts leading figures in the field to our extensive programme of events, informing debate on critical legal issues.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

Entry requirements

A minimum of a good upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in an appropriate subject, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. We have a strong preference for a recognised LLM or equivalent Master's degree and would normally expect a distinction overall, with evidence of first-class ability (or equivalent) in extended written work/dissertation.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3 Further details are available on the Faculty of Laws website .

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

UCL Laws has a strong international and multidisciplinary research environment, focused around all sixteen of our research centres, institutes and groups. Bringing together outstanding researchers from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and jurisdictions, our research centres and institutes nurture individual research, but also actively encourage and support collaboration and partnerships that expand cross-disciplinary research.

Who this course is for

This programme provides specialist training on research methods in law. Specialised research centres ensure that the doctoral study experience is collaborative, while UCL Faculty of Laws provides opportunities and support for doctoral students to achieve real impact with their research.

What this course will give you

UCL Laws has been one of the leading centres of legal education in the world for almost 200 years. Rated as being Number 1 for research quality in the UK compared with all other Law Schools in the country by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), UCL Laws' community of intellectually dynamic scholars responds to today's global challenges. Through our research, we help to shape government policy, national and international law and practice.

Combining a strong theoretical foundation in the law with world-leading expertise in empirical legal studies and interdisciplinary research, UCL Laws offers an outstanding educational experience to our doctoral students, with special work-in-progress workshops, dedicated conferences, and teaching experience.

All students benefit from a year-long research methodology seminar series in their first year and will join a vibrant and active MPhil/PhD student community which, for example, runs its own weekly seminar series in term time.

The foundation of your career

A graduate from the UCL Laws PhD programme will have developed advanced skills in legal research, analysis and writing, public presentations and in almost all cases teaching at university level. Our graduates are well placed to pursue careers in the global academic world, but the research, analytical and writing skills obtained during the PhD also transfer easily to high level work in government, non-governmental organisations and the commercial sector.

Employability

Our PhD graduates have entered a wide range of careers including top academic positions in the UK and overseas, international organisations, private sector, NGOs and government. 'The international reputation and expertise of the Faculty is well known and is what first attracted me to UCL. I found the faculty to be a vibrant academic community in which to undertake research, with invaluable support to develop personal research skills, pursue cross-disciplinary research and to engage in empirical activities. After my doctoral studies I was delighted to join the faculty as a Lecturer. The community of support at UCL Faculty of Laws undoubtedly enhanced my research and enabled me to pursue avenues that may not otherwise have been possible'. Dr Anna Donovan Lecturer, UCL Laws

The Faculty has a longstanding reputation for high-quality legal research with real world impact. We have long-established links with the judiciary, the legal, public and private sector. This is reflected in the outstanding quality of our extensive annual programme of seminars, lectures, debates and conferences on a wide variety of critical legal issues. Through this programme our PhD students have the opportunity to engage personally with leading members of the judiciary, legal profession, commercial and financial sectors, government, NGOs and leading international academics.

Teaching and learning

A PhD from UCL Laws is essentially an independent piece of substantial work, making an addition to current knowledge, but you will receive support in various ways this endeavour. Firstly, through expert supervision, which will include regular meetings, feedback on your progress and your written work, and advice on your development as a researcher. You will also undertake research skills training in the Faculty of Laws, through which a supportive environment among the PhD cohort and your fellow research students is fostered. There will the opportunity to engage with the wider UCL community in training bespoke to your research and career aims too. Dissemination of your work, and building networks in your field of research, will be actively supported and encouraged by the Facult y . There is financial support available to engage with the wider academic community, to present your work to and receive feedback from scholars and academic events, such as conferences, nationally and internationally.

The PhD programme is examined by a thesis of up to 100,000 words, which should demonstrate your capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline.

Full-time students can expect to meet their PhD supervisors at least once a month for progress meetings throughout their PhD (once every two months for part-time students). In year 1 of the PhD, there will be fortnightly research skills seminars. There will be research skills seminars in years 2 and 3 (for full-time students, years 2-5 for part-time students) too, but these will be less frequent. The majority of the PhD will be spent on independent research.

Research areas and structure

Antitrust, Regulation and Competition Law
Comparative and Foreign Law
Contract, Restitution and Tort
Corporate, Finance and Insolvency
Criminal Justice
Empirical Legal Studies
Environmental Law
European Law
Family Law and Bioethics
Human Rights, Employment and Equality Law
Intellectual Property
International Business, Insurance and Trade
International Commercial Law
Judicial Studies
Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
Law and Economics
Law and Ethics
Law and Religion
Law of the Sea
Legal Education
Legal History and Roman History
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Medical Law
Property and Trusts
Public, Admin and Constitutional
Public International Law

Research environment

UCL Laws is a world-leading community of intellectually dynamic scholars responding to today’s challenges. The Faculty was rated as the leading Law institution in the UK for research quality in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). As a Laws MPhil/PhD student, you will have the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, this research culture.

The Faculty attracts the leading figures in the field to our extensive programme of events, informing debate on critical legal issues. Events we have held in the past include a series of seminars from the former President of the European Court of Human Rights and Judge of the General Court of the European Union. Our events reflect the diversity of teaching and research at UCL Laws, and our programme of lively seminars, lectures, debates and conferences cover a wide variety of engaging legal topics. Many events are CPD accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Bar Standards Board and Intellectual Property regulation board (IP Reg).

A PhD at UCL Laws will allow you to pursue original research and make a distinct and significant contribution to your field. We are committed to the quality and relevance of the research supervision we offer and as an MPhil/PhD candidate; you could work with academics at the cutting edge of legal scholarship. Furthermore as a research student, you will be an integral part of our collaborative and thriving research community. Student-run ‘work in progress’ forums and an end-of-first-year PhD workshop will give you the opportunity to present and discuss your research with peers and academic colleagues. Tailored skills seminars will provide you with a supportive research environment and the critical skills necessary to undertake your research. To foster your academic development we also offer additional faculty funds, which can assist you with the costs of conferences and other research activities.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 3 years for full-time students.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9- 18 months after initial registration.

In your first year, you will be required to take part in a mandatory Skills Seminar Programme. Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research method and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to your supervisor for their comments and feedback. We hold a PhD workshop at the end of your first year, which provides you with an opportunity to present your research before an audience of UCL Laws Academic staff and fellow PhD students.

In your second year you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

The PhD programme is expected to be completed within three years for full-time students.. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the third year, you may be permitted a further year to complete the PhD in the 'Completing Research Status' phase of the programme.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 5 years for part-time students. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 15- 30 months after initial registration. In your first two years, you will be required to take part in a mandatory Skills Seminar Programme. Within six months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research method and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to your supervisor for their comments and feedback. We hold a PhD workshop at the end of your first year, which provides you with an opportunity to present your research before an audience of UCL Laws Academic staff and fellow PhD students. In your second or third year you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor. The PhD programme is expected to be completed within five years for part-time students. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the fifth year, you may be permitted a further two years to complete the PhD in the 'Completing Research Status' phase of the programme.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific additional costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

There are a number of different scholarships available to fund your PhD. All are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and are competitive.

Full information about funding may be found on our website - www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/study/mphilphd/applying scholarships page. The Faculty also provides financial support to current students in the form of an annual Research Allowance, and there is a PhD Research Impact and Innovation Fund (PRIF) that students may apply to for funding for exceptional items such as delivering a paper at an international conference.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: 12 January 2024 Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

Detailed information on the application process may be found on the Faculty of Laws website .

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UNSW Law & Justice can accelerate your career, whether you’re planning to move into advanced research, academia, practice or policy development.

Our research degree will equip you with skills and knowledge to help you thrive across a broad range of organisations, including academia, the legal profession, government, NGOs or inter-governmental agencies.

As part of this postgraduate research degree, you will study research methods and complete a research thesis that makes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in your chosen area of law, criminology or related discipline. You’ll enjoy a collegiate and dynamic research culture at UNSW Law & Justice, an internationally renowned faculty.

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Entry requirements
Program structure

Applicants for this doctoral program must have either completed a recognised Masters degree (including a substantial research component) with a minimum distinction average (75 per cent), or a recognised four-year Bachelor's degree with Honours Class II, Division (I) that included a substantial research component, or the equivalent.

You must also submit a research proposal to be considered for this program. Admission to the PhD program is subject to appropriate supervision being available.

The PhD requires a minimum of three and a maximum of four years full-time study and submission of a research thesis, usually not exceeding 100,000 words. You'll be supervised by experts in your chosen area, who will help you develop insights and critical legal research skills in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Compulsory coursework includes research ethics, research methods and data management. Ongoing enrolment in the doctoral program requires confirmation of candidature at between nine to 12 months full-time equivalent.

Confirmed candidates will then have annual progress reviews to help track their research project's achievements and milestones.

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Law research degree (phd).

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Key information

Home student fees (full-time) : £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time) : £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time) : £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time) : £11,245 per year

Please note that fees go up each year. See research fees for further details.

Course overview

The Law Research Degree (PhD) programme run by the School of Law accepts candidates for research work leading to a PhD.

The central feature of PhD work is the close relationship between the doctoral candidate and his or her supervisor, in which they meet regularly and consult closely. This relationship is supported and strengthened in various ways. Every doctoral candidate has an adjunct supervisor, another member of staff with a close interest in the candidate’s region and/or subfield of the discipline.

There is a departmental director of doctoral studies (research tutor) with overall responsibility for doctoral candidates who is available for a discussion of general problems. In addition there are a number of other activities which contribute to a doctoral candidate’s work and training. All incoming PhD candidates are required to take the School of Law’s Research Methods Seminar Programme in their first year.

Why study the Law Research Degrees (PhD) at SOAS?

we are UK Top 20 and World Top 200 for Law (QS World University Rankings 2021)
our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
SOAS provides a unique environment and opportunity to engage with relevant issues taught by our expert staff who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience of working and teaching in the field. This includes posts such as United Nations Independent Expert on human rights in the Sudan, acting as advisors to national, regional and international bodies, and in multiple roles and affiliations with civil society organisations and actors
doctoral candidates are encouraged to contribute to the research activities of the department Several of them are active in the various research centres run in the School of Law and are encouraged to participate in conferences and other projects organised by the department. Doctoral candidates are expected to participate in the School of Law PhD Colloquium which is held once a year. The colloquium, which is organised by a committee of PhD candidates, gives doctoral candidates the opportunity to present their research and progress to colleagues and staff
many SOAS doctoral candidates spend some time doing field work in the regions of their research. The School, and other members of SOAS, through their various connections with individuals and institutions in the universities and governments of Asia and Africa, facilitate this work with personal contacts and introductions
the School’s language training facilities are also available to doctoral candidates to develop their facility in an appropriate language for research purposes

Applicants must normally have an advanced degree equivalent in level and content to the School of Law’s LLM or MA.

Recent PhD theses in the School of Law

These include:

Michele Tedeschini, Unsettling Human Rights Custom (2020)
Oreva Olakpe, South-South Migrations in International Law: The Case Studies of Nigeria and China (2020)
Birsha Ohdedar, The Human Right to Water, Climate Change and Justice: Analysing multiple interactions through a case study of India (2020)
Mohammed Abdul Aziz, The Integration of Muslims in Britain: An account and analysis of the legal and non-legal equality and security initiatives during the New Labour years of 1997- 2010 (2019)
Yuan Qiong Hu, Rethinking Patent Centric Biomedical Innovation: Towards an Alternative Conceptual Framework Building (2019)
Lovleen Bhullar, Water pollution in India : environmental rights litigation as a solution (2018)

Selected published PhDs

Al Khanif, Religious Minorities, Islam and the Law – International Human Rights and Islamic Law in Indonesia (Routledge, 2020). [PhD 2016]
Rose Parfitt, The Process of International Legal Reproduction: Inequality, Historiography, Resistance (Cambridge University Press, 2019). [PhD 2010]
Janan Al-Asady, Iraq’s Oil and Gas Industry – The Legal and Contractual Framework (Routledge, 2019). [PhD 2016]
Jonathan Bashi Rudahindwa, Regional Developmentalism Through International Law: Establishing an African Economic Community (London: Routledge, 2018). [PhD 2016]

During the first year, candidates are required to attend the School of Law’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminar , whose purpose is to introduce them to the principal practical and methodological issues associated with postgraduate legal studies.

This course introduces candidates to both an array of methodologies, as well as different bodies of legal scholarship and theory. Candidates are also able to avail themselves of general seminars on research methodology offered by the SOAS Doctoral School.

By the beginning of the third term of the first year, candidates are required to hand in a draft Research Plan that is an integrated document based on the methodology paper, research paper, draft dissertation abstract, draft table of contents, draft bibliography and working schedule.

All doctoral candidates are first registered as MPhil candidates. The process of upgrading - that is, upgrading registration from MPhil to PhD - takes place at the end of the first year of study (or part-time equivalent) and involves all members of the Supervisory Committee in the assessment of the candidate's work to date.

Specifically, the potential of the work to be developed into a PhD thesis of University of London standard. It is based on the Research Plan and a presentation of that plan to the Supervisory Committee. Candidates who are not upgraded in accordance with this process will not be eligible to proceed to submission of a PhD thesis, although they may proceed to submit for an MPhil at the end of two years of full-time registration or part-time equivalent.

Doctoral students will be required to complete the Research Integrity Online Programme , as part of their upgrading requirement.

After year 1

After their first year, doctoral candidates must carefully plan their time so that they can finish their draft thesis well in time before the end of their third year of registration. The process followed by each doctoral candidate is guided by their research project.

This may include a period of field research if required by the nature of project undertaken. Doctoral candidates are encouraged to take part in the Law School's research activities and events, including the PhD Colloquium, activities organised by Research Centres, informal reading groups, and the Law School Research Seminar series.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Teaching and learning

familiarity with legal approaches to research will be developed through lectures, seminar discussions, compulsory reading assignments, and the dissertation
an understanding of the philosophical, ethical and political issues at the heart of law research (as well as possible solutions to such problems) will also be developed through lectures, seminar discussions, compulsory reading assignments, and the dissertation
critical comprehension of theoretical and empirical literature will be encouraged through substantive courses,compulsory reading assignments, lectures and seminars

Intellectual (thinking) skills

planning and execution of an appropriate research design will be developed through independent projects, essays, and the dissertation
understanding and utilization of appropriate research methods will be encouraged through independent projects (e.g. essays), oral presentations, and the dissertation

Subject-based practical skills

the interpretation and critique of published research will be encouraged via compulsory reading assignments, synthetic/critical lectures, and regular seminar discussions, as well as long essays and the dissertation

Transferable skills

an awareness of research resources available to social scientists will be provided via 1) the provision of detailed reading lists, which include, where appropriate, reference to on-line materials and 2) compulsory reading
assignments which familiarize students with secondary sources
an ability to write up and present the findings of analysis will be encouraged via long essays, coursework, exams, and the dissertation

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Scholarships

Fees and funding, fees for 2023/24 entrants per academic year.

Please note that fees go up each year.

See research fees for further details.

SOAS Law graduates leave SOAS as civic minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to their communities and societies. With a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying many of our global challenges today, our Law students are valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and global perspective.

Recent School of Law SOAS graduates have been hired by organisations including:

BloombergNEF
British Medical Association
Clifford Chance
DAC Beachcroft LLP
Department for Work and Pensions
HM Treasury
Latham & Watkins
Legal Cheek
Simpson Millar Solicitors
The Economist
Travers Smith
World Cancer Research Fund

Find out about our Careers Service

SOAS Voices

South Africa v Israel, provisional measures and the obligation to prevent genocide

SOAS Law academics contextualise South Africa v. Israel before the International Court of Justice ruling and discuss the implications of this case on international law and human rights protection.

Why I chose to study MA Human Rights Law at SOAS

MA student Anna moved across the pond to pursue a Human Rights Law degree. She runs through the key reasons why she chose SOAS.

How is Covid-19 impacting human rights?

Covid-19 constitutes a major stress test for societies, states, and the international order.

Africa neglects women's property rights at its own economic peril - but it's not the only culprit

Women in Africa own less than 10% of the land. Transformation can only be achieved through legal awareness raising and bottom-up legal change strategies to facilitate economic empowerment.

Sudan's catastrophe: A long history of failed responses to structural and direct violence

The current crisis in Sudan has deep roots. Seemingly erupting suddenly, it has in fact been a long time coming.

OPINION: How Suella Braverman's fight to "stop the boats" breaches human rights

The UK government wants to remove the right to claim asylum from people who arrive without the right of entry, whom they call “illegal”. But it does not address the nation's international human rights obligations and echoes the anti-migrant discourse of previous generations.

The Social Life of Law in Authoritarian Contexts

Food security and the governance of local knowledge in india and indonesia (2018–2023).

Working with the Australian Research Council to examine the ways small farmers identify, conserve and exchange useful plant material.

Fostering ecocentric community-led river restoration and conservation in the Ganga Basin (2022–2023)

Interrogating the concept of "river rights" to examine the contribution of ecocentric rights for river restoration and conservation.

Conflicts over Access to Water and Land: Evolving dimensions (2022–2025)

Addressing water conflicts through the lens of water security.

Carceral Policy, Policing and Race

Amplifying the carceral experiences of marginalised populations across the Global South.

Sanitation in India: Understanding a complex and controversial human right (2016)

Examining the right to sanitation in India from a broad perspective that encompasses the various dimensions of the right.

Legalissues Related to water sector restructuring in India (2006–2009)r

The first major study of water law in India since the early 1990s and contributed to ensuring policy-makers would consider it a more important part of sector reforms.

UKIERI: Climate change and groundwater management in India (2013–2015)

Analysing the impact of climate change on groundwater.

Rule of Law in Thailand

Enhancing SOAS knowledge and capacity in the study and research of East and Southeast Asian laws, with a focus on Thai law.

Age of consent and child-marriage in the British Empire

Exploring the debates that led to the reform of age of consent laws in UK and their introduction in other parts of the Empire at the end of the 19th century.

HURIME Project: Human Rights in the Post-Uprisings Middle East

Enhancing the knowledge of academicians and politicians on the new tendencies of human rights discourses and practices in the MENA region.

SOAS Influencing the Corridors of Power project

Influencing the Corridors of Power (ICOP) is an innovative front-line project which addresses the democratic deficit between UK universities and UK politics.

Islamic Finance in the Artificial Intelligence Age: Socio-Economic, Shariah and Legal Challenges

This is the 2024 annual SOAS-QFC Public Lecture on Islamic Finance organised by the Centre of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law (CIMEL) SOAS University of London in collaboration with Qatar Finance Centre (QFC).

School of Law, Gender and Media

The School of Law is dedicated to the legal systems and challenges of the developing world, with complementary strengths in human rights, international law and institutions, environmental law, and international trade and commerce.

LLB Single Honours at SOAS University of London

SOAS and National Law University Delhi awarded grant for development of dual postgraduate degree on climate change

SOAS University of London and National Law University Delhi have been granted a British Council Going Global Partnerships Exploratory Top-Up Grant of £15,000 to develop a joint degree programme on climate justice and climate law.

The College Of Law

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Our Programs
Postgraduate Applied Law Programs

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ABOUT FAMILY LAW

Australia's family law system helps people resolve the legal aspects of family relationship issues – including relationship breakdown, property and parenting arrangements.

The Family Law subjects in the Postgraduate Applied Law Programs deal with the legal aspects of working with families.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

SUBJECT DETAILS

Flp1 - foundations of family law practice*.

This subject family law is concerned with people, rather than property or financial matters. It includes the law and practice concerning parenting after separation or divorce. It also examines the law and practice of divorce. The subject aims to provide you with a strong foundation for practising in family law and covers most common issues encountered by family lawyers in practice. A more advanced subject deals with topics which are less common in law practice.

Introduction to family law
Shared parental responsibility and legislative pathways
Statutory considerations to determine the best interests of the child
Child abuse and family violence
Relocation and recovery of children
Variation and enforcement of parenting orders
Ethical and professional responsibility issues in children's cases
Divorce, nullity and validity of marriages

FLP2 - Property, Maintenance and Child Support*

This subject provides students with an introduction and overview of the process for resolving property and maintenance disputes with a focus on issues encountered in everyday practice. On satisfactory completion of this subject you will understand fundamental theories and practices in family law property, maintenance and child support practice, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. You will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, you will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

Jurisdictional issues and spousal maintenance
Ethical issues when acting for a party in family law financial proceedings
The four step process: introduction and step 1
The four step process: steps 2, 3 and 4
Conciliation conference, private mediation and costs in family law proceedings
Superannuation splitting, and tax, revenue and valuation issues
Documenting a settlement of a financial matter, and child support

FLP3 - Conducting Family Law Matters*

Conducting a family law matter – whether involving property, parenting, child support or other issues – requires a range of skills and procedural knowledge. This subject covers the steps involved in reaching a settlement, from your first conference with the client, through to the end of a final hearing. At the end of this subject you will be able to apply a problem-solving methodology and knowledge of procedural law to the conduct of all aspects of family law matters, both in and out of court.

Conducting first conference, compulsory mediation and pre-action procedures
Preparing for hearing
Commencing proceedings and interim proceedings
Court events and documents, Division 12A proceedings and financial proceedings
Preparing for and presenting the final hearing
Dispute resolution
Ethical Issues, and interlocutory processes and appeals processes

FLP11 - Advanced Parenting Issues*

This subject will build on FLP1 Foundations of Family Law and will provide a practical and in-depth study of the more complex, evolving and emerging issues in the areas of parenting, children and family law.

Practice and procedure – the legislative framework
Practice and procedure – specific issues
Parentage - who is a "parent"
Financial aspects of parenting – child maintenance and child support
Representation of children and the role of the independent children’s lawyer
The role of the states and territories in relation to child protection and adoption
Complex parenting issues for the 21st century
Practice and procedure – the final hearing, costs and appeals

FLP12 - Advanced Issues in Property, Maintenance and Child Support*

Family law is a multifaceted area of legal practice which helps people to deal with the legal aspects of family disputes, including relationship breakdowns. This subject provides an in-depth understanding of some of the more complex issues in property, spousal maintenance and child support, such as cross-border disputes, taxation issues, bankruptcy and the court’s power to bind third parties. The subject takes a practical approach to equip family law practitioners with the knowledge and skills to deal with these advanced issues in practice.

Jurisdiction in property matters, ascertaining the asset pool and categorising interests
Corporations, trusts, partnerships and businesses
Third parties, competing claims and bankruptcy
Cross-border disputes
Orders, agreements, setting aside and taxation issues
Interim relief: injunctions, interim property orders and spousal maintenance
Advanced issues in child support
Appeals and stays in family law proceedings

FLP13 - Development & Management of a Family Law Practice

This subject is about the development and management of your family law practice. As you will be aware, managing any legal practice requires a different set of skills to the technical and practical aspects of working as a lawyer on legal matters. Establishing a new legal practice and managing that practice for growth can be challenging. The personal circumstances and particular pressures facing many family law clients bring another dynamic to management of a family law practice. This subject considers a range of issues that are relevant to the effective and efficient conduct of a family law practice.

Introduction to developing and managing a family law practice
Getting started
Financial Management - Pricing and costs, and leveraging for productivity profit
Financial indicators
Risk Management Systems Management
Marketing Management
Managing People and Managing Clients
Managing Yourself

FLP14 - Family Dispute Resolution

Family dispute resolutions are where an independent accredited practitioner helps affected people resolve disputes with each other. There are various dispute resolution options that are available in family law matters. It is important that family law practitioners have a firm understanding of these options, select the most appropriate one for the case at hand and advice their clients accordingly.

The family law dispute resolution spectrum and legislative framework
Understanding disputes
Less adversarial approaches: Magellan and less adversarial trials
Negotiation
Family dispute resolution processes and communication skills
Issues of power and culture
Child informed mediation, Legal Aid conferences and collaborative law
Non-adversarial practice and family law – representing the client

FLP15 - Advocacy in Family Law

This subject is skills based and focused on developing advocacy skills in family law matters. Many lawyers are aware that their advocacy skills can require fine-tuning because of the increasing use of dispute resolution mechanisms. An increasing number of lawyers are choosing to appear as an advocate in their matters on interim hearings and sometimes even on final hearings. Whether you appear as a lawyer/advocate in a matter or you choose to brief counsel, it is important that the lawyer with carriage of the matter has a good working knowledge of the various stages of proceedings and their obligations.

Role of the advocate
Division 12A and financial proceedings
Examination-in-chief and witnesses
Cross-examination and re-examination
Submissions, reviews, stay applications and the slip rule
Interlocutory applications and appeals

FLP00 - Capstone Project (Family Law)

The Capstone Project is taken as your final subject, as a culmination of the knowledge and skills attained throughout your major. It will allow you to demonstrate your skills in a specialist practice area using real-life scenarios and case studies.

Throughout the intake, you will receive individualised feedback from your lecturer and will also have access to a rich array of skills modules that include guides, samples, and practice exercises for honing your legal skills.

The highlight of the Capstone Project is the final task, where you will prepare a Final Portfolio that demonstrates your legal writing, research, and oral skills.

Four short answer questions
Two legal writing samples

Intake dates

Advisory board.

Justice Stewart Austin, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Judge Dillon Morley, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Kathryn Kearley, Lawyer, Accredited Mediator, (Practice Area Leader)
Glenn Thompson, Partner, Newnhams Solicitors

Teaching Staff

Simon Cooper, Barrister, E-Chambers
Clare Dart, Barrister, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Law Arbitrator
Susan Hamilton-Green, Family Lawyer and FDRP, Intandem Legal Services, Creative Family Law Solutions, Accredited Specialist (Family Law and Mediation), AIFLAM, LEADR, VADR
Danielle Jaku-Greenfield, Mediator, lecturer and writer, Sydney Mediation Partnership, NMAS, LEADR
Ray James, Solicitor, James & Associates Solicitors, NSW Accredited Specialist (Family Law)
Kathryn Kearley, Partner, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers (Practice Area Leader)
Briana Kotzapavlidis, Partner, Hargreaves Family Lawyers
Doris Matias, Principal Owner, D M Legal
Selina Nikoloudakis, Partner, Andersons Solicitors
Graham Quinlivan, Member, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, QLS Children’s Committee
Ian Serisier, Barrister
Mark Youssef, Partner, Taylor & Scott, NSW Accredited Specialist (Family Law), Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee Member (Law Society of NSW)
Adam Somerville-Brown, Director, ASB Law
Catherine Devine, Barrister
Crispian Carlowe, Special Counsel, Stone Group Lawyers
Maria Tenace, Barrister
Matthew Taylor, Barrister
Michele Brooks, Barrister, Accredited Mediator
Simone Green, Principal Solicitor Accredited Specialist Family Law, Streeterlaw
Philippa Zande, Barrister, Accredited Mediator
Rebekah Bassano, Barrister, Accredited Mediator

Find Out More

Download the Postgraduate Programs course guide

Watch our free 30-minute information video

Got questions? Schedule a chat

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

I found the course to be highly practical, which allowed me to refine my knowledge and skills in family law

Ashlee Wachtel - Senior Solicitor at Resolve Divorce

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Master of Studies in Law

In-person msl.

The Master of Studies in Law at Pitt Law is a 30-credit advanced degree designed for professionals seeking to enhance their careers with a versatile alternative to the traditional three-year JD. It is also appropriate for attorneys who wish to recalibrate or improve their knowledge of a particular area of law.

The in-person MSL degree can be earned in classroom courses in two to four years on a flexible part-time schedule. On rare occasions, students may opt to complete the program in one year.

Students who complete a Pitt Law Online Certificate may apply the 15 credits earned in the online program to the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree. This option allows students to earn both the certificate and the MSL in 30 credit hours at an accelerated rate and with reduced tuition costs. To learn more, watch this video or contact [email protected] .

Apply Now

Pitt Law also offers the Master of Studies in Law Degree online . Like our in-person curriculum, this program is ideal for working professionals who want to advance their careers by building a foundation in US law and legal procedure. The online MSL courses are completely asynchronous and taught by world-renowned Pitt Law faculty and industry experts.

The MSL degree requires 30 credits for completion. Those who choose to enroll in the MSL Online program earn the first 15 credits through online classes tailor-made to non-legal professionals or attorneys who wish to brush up their knowledge. The year-long program begins in late August or early January. Students take one course at a time in a pre-set order. The second 15 credits may be completed in two different ways:

Complete courses in the classroom at Pitt Law. Choose from a wide range of JD courses in more than 20 different specializations
Complete one of our online certificate programs in Corporate Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law, International Business Law, or Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law

Contact the MSL Program

Alan Meisel In-Person & Online MSL Program Director [email protected]

Marily Nixon Online MSL Program Director [email protected]

Beth Ann Pischke Program Administrator [email protected]

Faculty & Staff
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School of Law graduate from the RGV finds support during J.D. studies

Home » Gold & Blue Magazine » School of Law graduate from the RGV finds support during J.D. studies

Close to home

By Leticia Romero

Hannah Orendain (J.D. ’24) had a family history in the legal field, but when it came to picking a major, she had to decide between following in her father’s footsteps by becoming an attorney or going to medical school.

She decided she was better at arguing and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Poverty Studies and Social Justice in 2020.

“I graduated a year early, and I took what would have been my senior year off,” Orendain said. “I worked at the district attorney’s office back in Hidalgo County just to make sure I wanted to study law, and that’s where I was like, ‘Yep, this is what I want to do.’”

Orendain did more than work for the district attorney that year. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, her mom suggested they find a way to help their hometown, McAllen.

In their first week, they raised $900, which they used to bring food to front-line medical workers in the South Texas area, known as the Rio Grande Valley or RGV. Their idea has since transformed into the nonprofit RGV Gives Back, which is “committed to promoting and advancing the educational, cultural, social and economic well-being of all RGV residents,” according to its website.

RGV Gives Back’s focus has evolved to providing college scholarships, giving away $6,000 to $7,000 every spring to Rio Grande Valley students.

When it came time to pick a law school, Orendain considered her undergrad alma mater but believed the St. Mary’s University School of Law was a better fit for her.

“I knew St. Mary’s had a really good pro bono program, and I’m very involved in my community,” Orendain said. “It is also the closest law school to the Valley, and my family is a big priority to me. I didn’t want to spend another three years living seven hours away from them.”

When her dad got sick during her first semester in law school, she knew she had made the right decision to stay close to home. Orendain’s father passed away in the second semester of her first year in law school.

I always had this dream: I was going to graduate law school, and I would join the family firm. My dad was going to be there, and he was going to guide me.” Hannah Orendain (J.D. ’24)

“I always had this dream: I was going to graduate law school, and I would join the family firm,” Orendain said. “My dad was going to be there, and he was going to guide me.”

Orendain said her professors worked with her, sending her recorded sessions and giving her the needed time to attend services and be with family. She returned more determined than ever to finish law school.

“Two weeks later, I came back, and I did better that semester than I did my first semester,” said Orendain. “I know God put me at St. Mary’s for a reason.”

Despite the loss of her father, Orendain made the most of her experience at the School of Law.

She’s been recognized by the School of Law for her work aiding those in need. Involved in student organizations, she also ended her school career as the vice president of the People’s Parity Project, president of the Lawtina Network student organization and alumni outreach chair of the Hispanic Law Student Association.

Orendain is also an advocate of the St. Mary’s 1L Edification Program, or SM1LE, a mentor program that matches first-year J.D. students with second- or third-year J.D. students.

“You need a mentor in law school,” Orendain said. “It’s easier to find success with someone by your side who’s already gone through your struggles.”

Orendain said she’s grateful for the resources on campus, including the School of Law’s Office of Career Strategy, which helped her with résumé and interview prep. She also plans to enroll in the Raise the Bar program, a supplement to a commercial bar prep program offered to all School of Law graduates to prepare for the bar exam.

Orendain still plans to move back home and work at her family’s law firm and to continue her commitment to St. Mary’s Law as an active alumna.

“I would love to be a resource for current or future students at St. Mary’s School of Law,” Orendain said. “I plan on staying involved as it allows me to make a positive impact and help shape the next generation of legal professionals.”

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More from the Spring 2024 Issue

Dede Fioklou-Toulan and Belyn Thompson have their monthly meeting at the Greehey School of Business.

Greehey School of Business connects students through mentorship

The Greehey School of Business Mentorship Program, open to all business students, is a voluntary program that allows students to seek additional support.

Members of the St. Mary's University Undergraduate Mock Trial Team review books in the library.

St. Mary’s undergraduates embrace mock trial team

During his internship at the Bexar County Courthouse, Eduardo Saucedo Moreno struck up a conversation with a local attorney about the lack of a mock trial team for undergraduate students at St. Mary’s University. The interaction sparked an interest that helped him establish a program at St. Mary's University.

Rattler Man, Cary Clack and Eddie Vega all read in front of the pool.

St. Mary’s community offers up summer reading options

Alumni and faculty from St. Mary's University offer up new reading materials, helping you find a cool way to stay out of the summer heat this year.

St. Mary’s Spanish professor wins major Peruvian literary award

Christian Elguera Olórtegui, a novelist who teaches Spanish at St. Mary’s University, has won a top literary prize in his home country of Peru, the Copé Award.

Marina Salgado (B.A. ’17) and her husband, Mario Salgado (B.A. ’17) take an engagment photo under the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower.

Couple who met in Biology class celebrate 10 years together

Marina Salgado (B.A. ’17) and her husband, Mario Salgado (B.A. ’17), didn’t expect to find chemistry in a Biology class. But in Fall 2013, the couple, in the first semester of their first year of college, met in Biology 1301 at St. Mary’s University.

Suffolk Law grad shaped by homelessness

BOSTON (WHDH) - A Suffolk Law School graduate has become a voice for those experiencing homelessness.

Tim Scalona and his family lost their home when he was just a teenager, staying in hotels and shelters for years.

He spoke about how that experience shaped his desire to help others in similar situations.

“Living with the knowledge of the situation, not really having much to eat besides canned goods and the delicacy, a turkey sandwich with gravy for dinner, being in a cramped compact space with my six siblings and my parents with like two beds in a hotel room – it was a really stressful experience,” Scalona said. “A better world is possible no matter what society or our structures in society say that it is.”

Scalona plans to continue advocating for people experiencing housing insecurity after graduation.

7WEATHER: Summer Storms
Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls faces $6 million fine and criminal charges
MBTA rolling out tap-to-pay system this summer

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Celebrating the UNH Franklin Pierce Class of 2023

Over 900 family members and friends joined us to celebrate UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law’s 49th Commencement on Saturday, May 18. 190 students from the residential JD, hybrid JD, and graduate programs walked across the stage marking a significant milestone as they celebrated their hard work and achievement of earning their law degree from UNH Franklin Pierce.

Professor Sophie Sparrow led the procession of excited students to the tent in Concord’s White Park.

Residential JD Anthony Alsante delivered a moving rendition of the National Anthem followed by heartfelt remarks by Dean Megan Carpenter. Dean Carpenter remarked about the class, “ That gutsy-ness, the grit, the resilience, the perseverance that brought you all here has shone throughout your time here. You have learned to be advocates and professionals. You have led student organizations and stood up for principles you believe in. You have challenged each other, yourselves, and the broader community. You made us better as an institution.

Anthony Alsante

Dean Carpenter 2024 Commencement Remarks

Dean Megan Carpenter

President Jim Dean of the University of New Hmapshire spotlighted the pivotal moments that graduates experienced throughout their tenure at UNH Franklin Pierce, “UNH Franklin Pierce is now part of your lifelong journey. Graduates, this is your moment, but it is also the culmination of many moments. The epic and ordinary. The personal and collective. The starting points and scenic routes.”

President Jim Dean

Following President Dean, student representatives were chosen to speak on behalf of the graduates. Residential JD student George Berg, Grad student Savi Varanasi, and Hybrid JD student Charlie Germano gave remarks highlighting the camaraderie amongst their peers, their successes and achievements, and words of thanks for loved ones and friends who have supported them while pursuing their legal education.

George Berg

Savi Varanasi

Charlie Germano

This year, we had the honor of hosting two esteemed guest speakers.

Honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker, Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, had important work to attend to in Geneva doing a key international negotiation. As a result, she wasn’t able to join us in person but shared a recording to play on her behalf. Vidal gave a heartful message, emphasizing the boundless opportunities awaiting the 190 degree recipients. “As lawyers, you have a world of opportunities ahead of you - opportunities to improve people’s lives; opportunities to shape the law and the world; opportunities to create a life of joy and meaning for yourself and others.”

Our second speaker, James Judd, graduated from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1998 with a JD/MIP. Following his admission to the NH Bar, he moved to California to start a vineyard and winery with his father. While waiting for his grapes to grow he wrote a one-man show titled “7 Sins,” which became a long-running success in San Francisco and toured the US and Canada. The show was serialized on National Public Radio and Judd headlined several national tours with NPR. He currently lives on Cape Cod and works as a private public speaking coach.

During the ceremony, Judd shared his unique journey, reflecting upon his experiences as a law student and bringing his comedic humor to the floor as a professional comedian. “You have to develop your life, you have to find those stories that enrich you because at the end of your life you don’t want to be thinking about legal stuff,” he shared. “I’m just gonna hit you with my best piece of advice right now… Don’t be anyone’s fixer!”

Two honorary degrees were awarded to leaders in the field.

Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court Tina Nadeau (‘89), received an honorary degree in recognition of her leadership on the New Hampshire Superior Court, and her transformational and innovative work in the criminal justice system. “Part of being in a position of leadership is recognizing that you can delve out change, but only at the rate at which the people you’re leading can absorb it,” says Nadeau.

From left to right: Dean Megan Carpenter, Provost Wayne Jones Jr., Chief Justice of the NH Superior Court Tina Nadeau JD ‘89

Attorney Young-Wook HA ('90, '92), owner of HA & HA Patent Law Firm, received an honorary degree in recognition of his dedication and his leadership in the field of Intellectual Property and his pioneering initiatives informing global collaborations and partnerships.

From left to right: Dean Megan Carpenter, Attorney Young-Wook HA

As the degrees were conferred upon the graduates, cheers erupted in White Park, marking the shared excitement and celebration of the class of 2023's great achievement.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are so proud of you

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Entertainment | ‘Little Melania’: New high school graduate…

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Entertainment | ‘little melania’: new high school graduate barron trump is still protected by mom: report, melania trump has reportedly locked herself in a ‘tight bubble’ in mar-a-lago, with her priority being to shelter barron from his father’s controversies.

Barron Trump, son of former US President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump, takes part in his graduation at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, May 17, 2024. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

Melania Trump sat front and center in the bleachers at Barron’s high school, the exclusive Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, reports said. She was joined by her Slovenian father, Victor Knavs, and her husband, former President Trump, who took a day off from being prosecuted in Manhattan on charges related to his hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Former US President Donald Trump (R), with former First Lady Melania Trump (C) and her father Viktor Knavs (L), attends the graduation ceremony of his son, Barron Trump, at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, May 17, 2024. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

When the name “Barron William Trump” was announced, the 6-foot, 7-inch Trump scion, wearing a cap and gown, stepped up on stage, briefly waved to his parents in the crowd and accepted his diploma.

Barron’s plans after high school have not been revealed, including if and where he’ll be going to college. But one thing the 18-year-old won’t be doing is serving as an at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention. After the Florida Republican Party announced that he would be a delegate, Melania Trump “put her foot down” and announced that her son wouldn’t participate in nominating his father to be the 2024 GOP presidential candidate, the Daily Mail reported.

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” Melania Trump’s office said in a statement last week. While no details were given for why Barron was withdrawing from the convention, it’s been known that the former first lady has long worked protect her son from the rough-and-tumble world of her husband’s MAGA politics and his controversies.

As Donald Trump has been embroiled in his criminal trial in Manhattan, Melania Trump has locked herself in a “tight bubble” in Mar-a-Lago, the Daily Mail reported. Her chief priority has been Barron, with a source close to the Trumps telling the U.K. news outlet: “He’s so regal. He’s a little Melania.”

But the Daily Mail said it’s become difficult for Trump’s third wife to keep her husband’s alleged personal indiscretions from spilling over into their private family life. The trial has included lurid testimony from Stormy Daniels, detailing her alleged sexual encounter with Trump in July 2006, when Barron was a few months old.

Observers also told the Daily Mail that Melania Trump wouldn’t have been happy about the way her husband used Barron’s graduation as a reason to complain about the judge in his criminal trial.

After the first day of court proceedings in Manhattan in April, Trump came outside and briefly spoke to the TV cameras, lambasting Judge Juan M. Merchan for saying that he may have to skip his son’s high school graduation in Florida, the Daily Mail reported.

“(Barron’s) a great student and he’s very proud of the fact he did so well and was looking forward for years to having his graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge isn’t going to allow me to escape this scam. It’s a scam trial,” the former president said.

“He talked about missing Barron’s graduation to the cameras and then again on Truth Social because it (created) a lot of coverage about that and it’s just not something she would have liked,” Grisham said.

News that Barron would serve as a delegate at the convention came the same week that Daniels testified. The news also was accompanied by reports that Barron was prepared to step into the political limelight, joining his older half-siblings, Don Jr., Eric and Tiffany, at the convention.

Some Trumpworld figures raved about the prospect of Barron being his father’s true political heir, the Daily Mail said in a profile of the teenager.

“Barron is handsome, tall — taller even than his father — and very knowledgeable for someone his age. He’s also far more politically interested than people realize,” an insider said in a glowing Daily Mail profile.

“I see all the attributes of a future president if he has the appetite for it. And why not? He has the Trump genes,” the insider said.

Another Trumpworld figure, Iranian-American business mogul Patrick Bet-David, voiced his delight in meeting Barron during a recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago, according to the Daily Mail. Bet-David described Barron on his podcast as “sharp, funny, sarcastic, tough — not weak,” the Daily Mail reported.

Moreover, in a clip posted to X, formerly Twitter, Bet-David praised Barron’s good manners and humility, calling him a “freaking stud of a kid.”

Bet-David furthermore explained on his podcast that Barron is prepared for the challenges of entering the political arena on behalf of his controversial father and his 2024 campaign to return to the White House. He said Barron told him, “It’s officially fair game to come after me.”

The teen apparently was referring to the media and to Trump’s opponents, who had taken a hands-off approach to writing about him or criticizing him when he was a minor. “‘I don’t care. Good, do it,” Barron reportedly said, according to Bet-David.

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