phd in law at yale university

Law School 2023 – 2024

Admissions, expenses, and financial aid, the degree of juris doctor (j.d.).

The small size of Yale Law School—approximately 200 in each entering class—requires an extremely selective admissions process. Admission is subject to approval by the dean, pursuant to policies promulgated by the faculty of the School and the Corporation of Yale University. Overall, the Law School seeks the most promising students in terms of professional and academic distinction. Students are considered for admission regardless of financial need.

To apply for the class entering in August 2024, an applicant must apply through the Credential Assembly Service of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and:

• Have received before registration a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) from an approved undergraduate institution,
• Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT or LSAT-Flex) or take the Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE or GRE General Test at Home),
• Complete and electronically submit an application by February 15, 2024,
• Submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended,
• Submit at least two letters of recommendation, and
• Pay the nonrefundable application fee of $85 (or receive a fee waiver).

Admitted applicants must submit the Intent to Enroll form to secure their place in the next entering class and must adhere to its requirements. Failure to follow the Intent to Enroll form may result in revocation of an offer of admission. Admitted students may request a deferral of their enrollment after submitting their Intent to Enroll form, and such requests will be considered and may be granted. Admitted and deferred students must adhere to all of the conditions set forth in the Deferral Request Policy.

Any applicant who has been expelled from any law, undergraduate, graduate, or professional school for deficiency in scholarship or because of misconduct is ineligible for admission. Any material misstatements on the application form or any form of application dishonesty (including fraudulent practices relating to the LSAT or GRE) will be considered disqualifying misconduct by the admissions committee.

Incoming first-term students must submit no later than October 15 of their first term a final, official transcript from the institution that awarded their undergraduate degree. Students who fail to do so will be withdrawn from the Law School.

All incoming J.D. students must start in the fall term. The Law School does not have an evening division, nor is there a summer session. Yale Law School offers no online or correspondence courses.

Any requests for exceptions to the admissions and application requirements stated above should be addressed by email to admissions.law@yale.edu or in writing to the Admissions Office, Yale Law School, PO Box 208215, New Haven CT 06520-8215. For additional information about admissions policies and procedures please refer to the website https://law.yale.edu/admissions/jd-admissions .

Transfer Students/Advanced Standing

Students who have completed one year of full-time course work (or the equivalent) in residence at a U.S. law school approved by the American Bar Association may apply to transfer to Yale; at least two years (four terms) of course work must be done at Yale Law School. Typically, the completion of 24 law school units is equivalent to the completion of one year of coursework. Upon admission, the Registrar will determine the number of units that will transfer to Yale Law School. An offer of admission may be revoked if upon the Registrar’s review an admitted student does not have sufficient equivalent law school units to be considered a second-year student. A maximum of 28 units will be transferred toward the J.D. requirements at Yale Law School. Transfer students are not eligible to petition for joint-degree status.

Applicants in special programs in American Bar Association-approved U.S. law schools who have completed the first year of law school while completing the requirements for a bachelor’s degree may be considered for transfer. To be considered, an applicant must have received a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) before matriculating at Yale Law School.

To apply for the second-year class entering in August 2024, an applicant must apply through the Credential Assembly Service of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and:

• Complete and electronically submit an application by June 15, 2024,
• Submit transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and law schools attended,
• Submit at least two letters of recommendation from law school professors, and

Applicants from foreign law schools should apply for admission to the first year of the J.D. program. Though granted only in rare circumstances, requests for advanced standing based on work done outside the United States should be made after admission to the first-year program.

Visiting Students

In special circumstances, a student enrolled in a J.D. program at an American Bar Association-approved law school may apply for admission on a full-time, nondegree basis. Visiting students may attend for one or two terms and earn credit toward a degree at their home institutions. The admissions committee considers past academic performance as well as applicants’ special circumstances when rendering decisions on such requests.

A visiting student application form may be obtained by sending an email to admissions .law@yale.edu . A completed application for visiting students contains the same materials required for transfer applicants. Additionally, a visiting application must include a cover letter explaining the applicant’s reason for visiting and a letter from the applicant’s law school granting permission to visit and indicating any conditions imposed on the credits earned at Yale Law School.

Visiting students must pay full tuition to Yale Law School and are eligible to apply for federal and supplemental loans, but are not eligible for Yale Law School scholarships/grants. Visiting students may have limited or restricted access to participation in student-run journals and may have a lower priority than Yale Law students in limited-enrollment courses.

Financing Law School

Quality legal education is expensive, and the Law School draws on the University, alumni, and friends to keep annual tuition well below the per student cost of education. Through a combination of loans, grants, and postgraduate loan forgiveness programs, the School seeks to reduce further the burden of education costs on those students demonstrating financial need. Approximately three-quarters of the student body receives some form of financial assistance. Extensive assistance to meet the cost of loan repayment for graduates is provided through the Career Options Assistance Program. Yale Law School is also an approved program for educational benefits from the Veterans Administration.

Tuition and Expenses

Tuition, including mandatory fees, in 2023–2024 is $35,770 per term. The total yearly fee is $71,540, not including other necessary expenses such as books, food, housing, hospitalization insurance fees, etc. Tuition and fees are payable before the beginning of each term at the University Office of Student Financial Services.

Previously deferred students who paid tuition deposits when they committed to enroll will have those deposits credited to their student account. Should a previously deferred student withdraw before registration in the fall, all previously paid tuition deposits will be forfeited.

Students will be charged a special roster fee of $175 per term to be maintained on the school records during periods of nonattendance.

Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy

On the basis of the federal regulations governing the return of federal student aid (Title IV) funds for withdrawn students, the rebate and refund of tuition is subject to the following policy:

• For purposes of determining the refund of Title IV funds, any student who withdraws from the Law School for any reason during the first 60 percent of the term will be subject to a pro rata schedule that will be used to determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. Funds are earned according to the percentage of the term completed. A student who withdraws after the 60 percent point has earned 100 percent of the Title IV funds. In 2023–2024, the last days for refunding federal student aid funds will be November 6, 2023, in the fall term and March 31, 2024, in the spring term.
• 100 percent of tuition will be rebated for withdrawals that occur on or before the end of the first 10 percent of the term: September 11, 2023, in the fall term and January 27, 2024, in the spring term.
• A rebate of one-half (50 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals that occur after the first 10 percent but on or before the last day of the first quarter of the term: September 28, 2023, in the fall term and February 13, 2024, in the spring term.
• A rebate of one-quarter (25 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals that occur after the first quarter of a term but on or before the day of midterm: October 26, 2023, in the fall term and March 11, 2024, in the spring term.
• Students who withdraw for any reason after midterm will not receive a rebate of any portion of tuition.
• The death of a student shall cancel charges for tuition as of the date of death, and the bursar will adjust the tuition on a pro rata basis.
• If the student has received student loans or other forms of financial aid, funds will be returned in the order prescribed by federal regulations; namely, first to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, if any; then to Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans; next to any other federal, state, private, or institutional scholarships and loans; and finally, any remaining balance to the student.
• Recipients of federal and/or institutional loans who withdraw are required to have an exit interview before leaving Yale. Students leaving Yale receive an exit packet from Student Financial Services with instructions on completing this process.

The estimated minimum amounts required for all expenses for the academic year, including tuition, are stated in the section on financial aid, below.

Student Accounts and Billing

Student accounts, billing, and related services are administered through the Office of Student Accounts, located at 246 Church Street. The office’s website is https:// student-accounts .yale.edu.

The Student Account is a record of all the direct charges for a student’s Yale education such as tuition, room, board, fees, and other academically related items assessed by offices throughout the University. It is also a record of all payments, financial aid, and other credits applied toward these charges.

Students and student-designated proxies can view all activity posted to their Student Account in real time through the University’s online billing and payment system, YalePay ( https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay ). At the beginning of each month, email reminders to log in to YalePay to review the Student Account activity are sent to all students at their official Yale email address and to all student-designated YalePay proxies. Payment is due by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the month.

Yale does not mail paper bills or generate monthly statements. Students and their authorized proxies can generate their own account statements in YalePay in pdf form to print or save. The statements can be generated by term or for a date range and can be submitted to employers, 401K plans, 529/College Savings Plans, scholarship agencies, or other organizations for documentation of the charges.

Students can grant others proxy access to YalePay to view student account activity, set up payment plans, and make online payments. For more information, see Proxy Access and Authorization ( https://student-accounts.yale.edu/understanding-your-bill/your-student-account ).

The Office of Student Accounts will impose late fees of $125 per month (up to a total of $375 per term) if any part of the term bill, less Yale-administered loans and scholarships that have been applied for on a timely basis, is not paid when due. Students who have not paid their student account term charges by the due date will also be placed on Financial Hold. The hold will remain until the term charges have been paid in full. While on Financial Hold, the University will not fulfill requests for transcripts or provide diplomas and reserves the right to withhold registration or withdraw the student for financial reasons.

Payment Options

There are a variety of options offered for making payments toward a student’s Student Account. Please note:

• All bills must be paid in U.S. currency.
• Yale does not accept credit or debit cards for Student Account payments.
• Payments made to a Student Account in excess of the balance due (net of pending financial aid credits) are not allowed on the Student Account. Yale reserves the right to return any overpayments.

Online Payments through YalePay

Yale’s recommended method of payment is online through YalePay ( https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay ). Online payments are easy and convenient and can be made by anyone with a U.S. checking or savings account. There is no charge to use this service. Bank information is password-protected and secure, and there is a printable confirmation receipt. Payments are immediately posted to the Student Account, which allows students to make payments at any time up to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date of the bill, from any location, and avoid late fees.

For those who choose to pay by check, a remittance advice and mailing instructions are available on YalePay. Checks should be made payable to Yale University, in U.S. dollars, and drawn on a U.S. bank. To avoid late fees, please allow for adequate mailing time to ensure that payment is received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.

Cash and check payments are also accepted at the Office of Student Accounts, located at 246 Church Street and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Yale University partners with Flywire, a leading provider of international payment solutions, to provide a fast and secure way to make international payments to a Student Account within YalePay. Students and authorized proxies can initiate international payments from the Make Payment tab in YalePay by selecting “International Payment via Flywire” as the payment method, and then selecting the country from which payment will be made to see available payment methods. International payment via Flywire allows students and authorized proxies to save on bank fees and exchange rates, track the payment online from start to finish, and have access to 24/7 multilingual customer support. For more information on making international payments via Flywire, see International Payments Made Easy at https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay .

A processing charge of $25 will be assessed for payments rejected for any reason by the bank on which they were drawn. In addition, for every returned ACH payment due to insufficient funds made through YalePay, Flywire will charge a penalty fee of $30 per occurrence. Furthermore, the following penalties may apply if a payment is rejected:

• If the payment was for a term bill, late fees of $125 per month will be charged for the period the bill was unpaid, as noted above.
• If the payment was for a term bill to permit registration, the student’s registration may be revoked.
• If the payment was given to settle an unpaid balance in order to receive a diploma, the University may refer the account to an attorney for collection.

Yale Payment Plan

A Yale Payment Plan provides parents and students with the option to pay education expenses monthly. It is designed to relieve the pressure of lump-sum payments by allowing families to spread payments over a period of months without incurring any interest charges. Participation is optional and elected on a term basis. The cost to sign up is $50 per term.

Depending on the date of enrollment, students may be eligible for up to five installments for the fall and spring terms. Payment Plan installments will be automatically deducted on the 5th of each month from the bank account specified when enrolling in the plan. For enrollment deadlines and additional details concerning the Yale Payment Plan, see https://student-accounts.yale.edu/ypp .

Bill Payment and Pending Military Benefits

Yale will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other facilities, or the requirement that a student borrow additional funds, on any student because of the student’s inability to meet their financial obligations to the institution, when the delay is due to the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Yale will permit a student to attend or participate in their course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the student provides to Yale a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates: (1) the date on which payment from VA is made to Yale; (2) ninety days after the date Yale certifies tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Interruption or Temporary Suspension of University Services or Programs

Certain events that are beyond the University’s control may cause or require the interruption or temporary suspension of some or all services and programs customarily furnished by the University. These events include, but are not limited to, epidemics or other public health emergencies; storms, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters; war, terrorism, rioting, or other acts of violence; loss of power, water, or other utility services; and strikes, work stoppages, or job actions. In the face of such events, the University may, at its sole discretion, provide substitute services and programs, suspend services and programs, or issue appropriate refunds. Such decisions shall be made at the sole discretion of the University.

Financial Aid

Applicants for financial aid who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at https://fafsa.ed.gov . A Financial Aid Application and Scholarship Tool (FAAST) application is also required from all applicants for financial aid and is available online at https://faast.law.yale.edu . Applications must be submitted by April 15 for continuing students. Admitted students should submit their FAFSA and FAAST as soon as possible after admittance.

The estimated budget for a single student for local transportation, books, and all living costs for the academic year 2023–2024 is $26,114. Individual cases may, of course, vary from these estimates, but all financial aid need determinations are based on these estimates.

Among the goals of the aid policy are allocating grant resources to the neediest students and balancing graduates’ educational indebtedness. The Law School therefore uses a formula that increases the proportion of grant as total need increases. Students whose total need is relatively low will normally receive only loan assistance. While the formula varies each year, in 2023–2024 students are expected to meet $54,750–$56,870 (depending on their class year) of need with loans, typically relying on federally guaranteed loans to the maximum extent possible. The remainder of each award above the required loan portion is ordinarily met through grants from the Law School. J.D. students with the highest level of financial need will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship through the Soledad ’92 and Robert Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program.

In calculating individual financial aid awards, the student’s financial resources—including student assets, summer and term-time employment, and spouse’s and parents’ contribution—are taken into account. The Law School treats students who are twenty-nine years old or older as of December 31 of the academic year for which aid is sought as financially independent from their parents. For students twenty-seven and twenty-eight years old as of December 31, only one-half of the calculated parental contribution will be treated as a resource.

A handbook containing detailed information on financial aid policies is available from the Financial Aid Office website, https://law.yale.edu/financialaid . The director and staff of the office are available to discuss financial aid matters with students.

Summer Public Interest Fellowship

The Summer Public Interest Fellowship (SPIF) program provides funds to Yale students working at public interest, government, and nonprofit organizations. In the summer of 2022, the Law School provided fellowships for more than 170 students in the United States and around the world.

Student eligibility is based on financial need. Those who do not meet the needs test may still be able to receive SPIF funding or loans. In 2023, students are eligible to receive up to $8,000 through SPIF.

Career Options Assistance Program

Yale Law School has long encouraged its graduates to consider the broad spectrum of careers available to them. In 1989 the School established the Career Options Assistance Program (COAP) to mitigate the influence of educational debts on the career choices of its graduates. COAP is one of the most distinctive, generous, and flexible loan forgiveness programs available at any law school.

COAP provides grants to cover the shortfall between graduates’ educational loan payments and the amounts graduates can afford to pay from relatively modest incomes. Unlike many other loan forgiveness programs, eligibility is based upon compensation levels, not type of employment. COAP participants work in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations serving the public interest; academia; and private practice; among other areas. COAP assistance is also available to judicial clerks in the form of loans. In order to be eligible, participants must provide certification that their employer complies with Yale’s Non-Discrimination Policy, available at https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/area/department/cdo/document/nondiscrimination_policy_2_12_20.pdf .

COAP grants are calculated on the basis of the participant’s income, indebtedness, and an imputed loan repayment schedule. Participants’ gross income is adjusted with regard to spouses, dependents, and assets, and for graduates whose adjusted income is less than a certain “threshold” level, COAP covers the entire calculated repayment for qualified educational loans. Those with adjusted incomes over the threshold are expected to contribute a percentage of their income in excess of that amount toward repayment. Provisions are made for parental leave and for part-time work.

For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid.law@yale.edu .

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Ph.D.)

Applicants for this program must apply through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at https://gsas.yale.edu/admissions/degree-program-application-process . General information about the program can be found at https://law.yale.edu/phd .

The Degrees of Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.)

A J.S.D. applicant must:

• Show promise of superior scholarship. Admission to the J.S.D. program is highly selective. It does not follow automatically from admission to the LL.M. program or from the award of the LL.M. degree, but rests entirely on the graduate committee’s independent judgment of an applicant’s qualifications. The Yale LL.M. degree must ordinarily have been awarded within the five years preceding the student’s J.S.D. application.

(a) a completed J.S.D. application form, plus a letter of application;

(b) a dissertation proposal;

(c) statements of contingent approval of three committee members willing to serve as supervisor and readers. The committee should be composed of at least two members of the Yale Law School faculty, one of whom must be the chair. A full-time faculty member of Yale University may serve as a second reader;

(d) letters of recommendation from two members of the Yale Law School faculty;

(e) a writing sample, which would ordinarily be a paper written as an LL.M. student;

(f) a current résumé or curriculum vitae.

The application and supporting materials should be submitted to the J.S.D. program by March 27, 2024. All J.S.D. admission decisions are typically announced in late April. Applicants who have been denied admission three times may not file further applications.

An LL.M. applicant must:

• If from the United States, have graduated, or expect to graduate, with high rank from a law school that is a member of the Association of American Law Schools or approved by the American Bar Association. If from another country, ordinarily have graduated, or expect to graduate, with high rank from a law school or law faculty with standards substantially equivalent to those of U.S. law schools. All offers of admission are contingent upon graduation. The Law School reserves the right to review or revoke admission if applicants fail to graduate with their degree cohort. As a general rule, admission is not available to persons who have already obtained the LL.M. degree or an equivalent degree from another law school in the United States.

(a) a completed online application to Yale Law School along with the required essays;

(b) a current résumé or curriculum vitae;

(c) original or certified copies of all academic transcripts, from studies both in law and in other fields (or, in the case of international students, the nearest equivalent record of courses, grades, and rank). If transcripts are not in English, the originals must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Final official transcripts may be certified electronic transcripts or traditional paper transcripts. In either case, they must be sent to Yale Law School directly from the issuing institution or its authorized agent. Applicants must follow instructions from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) as to transcript submission;

(d) at least two and no more than four letters of recommendation from law professors or other references commenting in detail on the academic and professional qualifications of the applicant (letters must be in English or accompanied by an English translation).

• Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered at centers throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service, no later than November 1, 2023, unless the applicant is a native speaker of English or the applicant’s undergraduate education or first law degree was completed at an institution where English is the language of instruction. The admissions committee requires a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL test. Yale Law School does not accept the IELTS examination. Official documentation of language of instruction is required.
• Pay a nonrefundable application fee of $75 (USD).

Application forms may be accessed online at https://law.yale.edu/llm-admissions . Early filing is recommended. On occasion, the Admissions Committee may also reach out to individual candidates directly for additional information when the committee feels this would be helpful in its deliberations. The LL.M. application and all supporting documents must be submitted through the LSAC. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required documents are received by the LSAC in a timely manner. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. Fees are nonrefundable in the event that an application is not complete. LL.M. admission decisions are typically announced in mid-March. Previous applicants who were not admitted to the LL.M. program must submit a completely new application and pay the application fee. Applicants who have been denied admission three times may not file further applications.

Expenses and Financial Aid

Tuition and estimated living expenses for graduate students in the LL.M. program in 2023–2024 are the same as for J.D. students (see Financing Law School, above). Tuition and fees for resident J.S.D. students in 2023–2024 are $27,955 for the academic year. To remain registered at Yale Law School, nonresident J.S.D. students are charged a $200 fee per term. An additional fee of $200 will be charged upon approval of a dissertation.

Grants and loan funds for tuition and living expenses are awarded by the Law School on the basis of the individual student’s demonstrated financial need, which includes an assessment of student assets and, if the student is twenty-eight years of age or younger, parental assets. Awards do not include funds for travel and research expenses. Applicants to the graduate programs are urged to apply to sources outside Yale Law School for support.

The Degree of Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.)

Applicants for this program must:

• Have a doctoral degree or be a doctoral candidate in a field other than law, unless the applicant is a working journalist. Journalists must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree.

(a) a completed application form available at https://law.yale.edu/graduate/msl_application.htm ;

(c) a letter describing the applicant’s professional experience and interest in the program;

(d) official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an English translation). Final official transcripts may be certified electronic transcripts or traditional paper transcripts. In either case, they must be sent to Yale Law School directly from the issuing institution or its authorized agent;

(e) at least three and no more than five letters of recommendation from persons having knowledge of the candidate’s academic ability and professional promise (letters must be in English or accompanied by an English translation);

(f) three to five examples of professional work for those applying as journalists.

Previous applicants who were not admitted to the M.S.L. program must submit a completely new application and pay the application fee. Applicants who have been denied admission three times may not file further applications.

The letter of application, supporting materials, and the nonrefundable application fee of $75 payable to Yale Law School should be submitted to the M.S.L. Program, Yale Law School, PO Box 208215, New Haven CT 06520-8215, by January 10, 2024. All M.S.L. admissions decisions are made and announced in March. Admission does not carry with it a commitment of financial support. Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need only, and the extent and conditions of any support will be individually arranged.

Fees for the program are the same as for the J.D. program. Financial aid for M.S.L. candidates is designed to supplement grants from outside sources, sabbatical salaries, and personal resources.

LL.M. Program

The degree of master of laws.

Yale Law School admits a limited number of graduate students each year to pursue one year of full-time study leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.). Admission is generally open only to those committed to a career in teaching law. The LL.M. program at Yale Law School is not designed to prepare students to take the New York State Bar Examination.

LL.M. students at Yale Law School enjoy small class sizes, the camaraderie of fellow LL.M. and J.D. students, and a close relationship with the  Yale Law School faculty . No uniform course of study is prescribed for LL.M. candidates. Courses are elective, and students are afforded considerable flexibility to tailor their studies to their interests. Subject to meeting degree requirements, LL.M. candidates are invited to use the resources of the Law School in whatever program of study will best prepare them for a career in research and teaching. They are also eligible to apply for support to present at national and international academic conferences.

Beyond the extraordinary academic opportunities at Yale Law School, our LL.M. students regularly and actively participate in many other aspects of student life at the Law School and across Yale University, including participating in a diversity of  student organizations  and attending a wide variety of co-curricular events and activities. The Graduate Programs Office also hosts a range of academic and social events for graduate students throughout the academic year—from, for instance, our Works in Progress Symposium, where students present their research to faculty and peers, and workshops on academic writing and publishing, to our winter and spring luncheons, a cruise around the Thimble Islands, and a visit to the historic Litchfield Law School, among others.

While small—the Law School typically enrolls around 25 LL.M. students each year—the LL.M. program at Yale Law School is truly global in its reach. Over the past four years, our LL.M. students have come from over 30 different countries. 

At various times throughout the fall semester, the Graduate Programs office will conduct online webinars about the program. To learn more about the LL.M. program, sign-up for an informational webinar . 

Section Menu

Student Profile Videos

Adriana Edmeades Jones LLM

A student perspective on getting an LL.M. at Yale Law School and the benefits of faculty interactions.

Fernando Loayza Jordán LLM

A student perspective on the LLM program and studying tax law at Yale Law School.

Alexander Komarov LLM

A student perspective on criminal law, financial aid, and getting an LL.M. at Yale Law School.

Graduate Student Life

2020 and 2021 Graduate Programs alumni celebrate in the YLS Courtyard with Assistant Dean Gordon Silverstein before their in-person ceremony in May 2022

2022 Graduate Program degree candidates with Dean Heather K. Gerken in April 2022

• Interesting for you
• My settings

The Ph.D. in Law degree program at the Yale University 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.

Yale University Multiple locations New Haven , Connecticut , United States Top 0.1% worldwide Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.2 Read 20 reviews

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. 

Features 

• This Law program at Yale University 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.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

• 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. 

Key information

• 36 months
• three academic years and two summers in residence

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2024-12-15 00:00:00

Disciplines

Academic requirements.

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Yale University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

• Personal Statement (500-1000 words): The personal statement should describe the applicant’s motivations for pursuing the Ph.D. in Law degree and should describe the applicant’s qualifications to undertake the proposed course of study, especially qualifications that are not evident from the applicant’s CV.
• Research Proposal (1000 words)
• Writing Sample: the writing sample should be a piece of legal scholarship authored solely by the applicant. Ideally, the writing sample should be on a subject related to the applicant’s proposed research project. Submitted writing samples should be no more than the equivalent of 30-published pages in length (15,000 words)—an excerpt from a longer work may be used.
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae
• Test Scores
• Application Fee

Tuition Fee

International.

• All PhD students at Yale receive a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition, typically for a minimum of five years.

Living costs for New Haven

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Law.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Read more about eligibility

• missing or incomplete ?"> Missing or incomplete content
• wrong or outdated ?"> Wrong or outdated content

Other interesting programmes for you

Our partners.

Go to your profile page to get personalised recommendations!

• Doctoral Programs

The PhD specialization in Accounting prepares students to become accounting scholars engaged in research and teaching at the highest levels in the general areas of financial information and contracting within and across organizations. 

Yale SOM’s specialization in accounting is designed to develop strong theoretical and empirical skills. There is a heavy emphasis on original research to form a base for sustained scholarship. Co-authored research, with both faculty and fellow PhD students, is encouraged and supported.

Yale’s accounting program is small (matriculating one to two students each year), and involves informal and spontaneous frequent interactions with faculty. The program maintains a 1:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Students interact with emerging research in a host of ways, from conferences held on campus to weekly seminars where faculty and fellow PhD students present and discuss their work.

Candidates tend to pursue a broad range of research interests, helped by courses in accounting as well as in various areas of management, Department of Economics, Yale Law School, and other parts of the University. They develop fruitful relationships with other Ph.d. students, especially from the Finance PhD program.

Examples of research submitted as dissertations by students in the program:

• Intended Benefits and Unintended Consequences of Improved Performance Disclosure
• Asymmetric Inefficiency in Market Response to Non-earnings 8-K Information
• Real Earnings Management in Nonprofit Organizations
• How Does More Frequent Reporting Reduce Information Asymmetry?
• Real Earnings Management in the Financial Industry
• Accruals and price crashes
• Customer-base concentration: Implications for firm performance and capital markets
• The Treatment of Special Items in Determining CEO Cash Compensation
• Strategic Decentralization, Bargaining, and Transfer Pricing in Supply Chain Efficiency
• Keynesian Beauty Contest, Accounting Disclosure, and Market Efficiency
• Labor Unions and Management’s Incentive to Signal Declining Profitability
• Investor Expectations, Earnings Management, and Asset Prices
• Limiting Outside Directors' Liability through Charter Provisions: An Empirical Analysis
• Nickels Not Pennies: Explanations and Implications of Granularity in Analysts’ EPS Forecasts
• Auditor’s Pre-Negotiation Information, Accuracy of Financial Reports and Consulting Services
• Taxes, Debt, and Firm Value: New Evidence

Examples of research co-authored with faculty and other students:

Publications.

• Management of reported and forecast EPS, investor responses, and research implications (Management Science
• Placebo Tests of Conditional Conservatism (The Accounting Review)
• Orphans Deserve Attention: Financial Reporting in the Missing Months When Corporations Change Fiscal Year (The Accounting Review)
• Why do EPS forecast error and dispersion not vary with scale? Implications for analyst and managerial behavior (Journal of Accounting Research)
• More Evidence of Bias in the Differential Timeliness Measure of Conditional Conservatism (The Accounting Review)
• The Effect of Litigation Risk on Management Earnings Forecasts (Contemporary Accounting Research)
• Friction in Related Party Trade when a Rival is also a Customer (Management Science)
• The Joint Determination of Audit Fees, Non-audit Fees and Abnormal Accruals (Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting)

Working Papers

• Rethinking Determinants of Trading Volume at Earnings Announcements
• Auditor Change Disclosures as Signals of Earnings Management and Risk
• Individual Investor Overextrapolation
• The Value and Information Effects of Initial Loan Contract Strictness
• The Information Quality Effect of Accruals-Based Benchmark Beating: Evidence from the CDS Market
• On the Contemporaneous Reporting of Income Increasing and Income Decreasing Special Items: Initial Evidence
• Conditional conservatism: the case of goodwill impairments under SFAS 142
• The power of firm fundamentals in explaining stock returns

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home
• Institution Home

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Programs and Policies 2023–2024

• Yale University Publications /
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences /
• Policies and Regulations /

Programs of Study

Current edition: graduate archive . click to change., full-time degree candidacy.

Most students enrolled in the Graduate School are registered for full-time study as they pursue a Ph.D. or master’s degree program. These students devote their full effort to course work, preparing for qualifying examinations, gaining teaching experience, and the researching and writing the dissertation.

Part-Time Study

In rare circumstances, qualified individuals who are unable to devote their full time to graduate study may apply and be admitted as part-time students in either doctoral or terminal master’s programs. For more complete information, see Part-Time Study under Academic Regulations .

Nondegree Study

Qualified individuals who wish to study at the graduate level as nondegree candidates may be admitted to the Division of Special Registration (DSR). Admission to the DSR is for one term or one year only and carries with it no commitment by the Graduate School for further study. Students admitted for the academic year must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the first term in order to register for the second term. Students in the DSR may obtain transcripts indicating the appropriate credit for work completed. Students enrolled full-time in the DSR may pursue internship opportunities only after they complete their program. They may not concurrently participate in an internship while enrolled in the DSR. International students who are in the United States on a J-1 visa should consult with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) about their eligibility to extend their visa in order to participate in an internship opportunity after their program.

DSR students engaged solely in course work are identified as visiting students. Although normally admitted for full-time study, visiting students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be admitted for part-time study and are charged tuition on a per-course basis, whether for credit or audit. International visiting students must maintain a record of full-time enrollment (four courses for credit per term) for the duration of their program due to visa requirements. Please refer to Financing Graduate School for a schedule of tuition and fee charges. Students admitted to the DSR as vsiting students are not eligible for financial aid, including federal and most nonfederal student loans.

Advanced graduate students who are degree candidates (at the master’s or Ph.D. level) at another university and who have made arrangements with a specific Graduate School faculty member for a research project under that faculty member’s direct supervision may be admitted to the DSR as visiting assistants in research . Undergraduate students in combined or simultaneous B.S./M.S., B.A./M.A., or similar programs are not considered advanced graduate students. Visiting assistants in research are not eligible to take courses and are limited to a maximum of two years of study. Student research conducted at Yale must be part of the visiting student’s thesis or dissertation. The extent and location of the research completed at Yale must be cited in the completed thesis or dissertation. The Graduate School does not provide financial support to visiting assistants in research. Such students either hold standard graduate-student assistantship in research appointments that are funded by the faculty adviser or provide their own funding through external awards or personal resources. Please refer to Financing Graduate School for a schedule of tuition and fee charges.

Detailed information, requirements, and access to the online DSR application are available at https://gsas.yale.edu/admissions/non-degree-application-process . DSR applicants must provide evidence of insurance coverage for the duration of their studies at Yale at the time of application.

Some departments at Yale have formal exchange agreements with universities in other countries that have been approved by the Graduate School. Graduate students who are admitted to Yale under such approved exchange agreements may be registered as Exchange Scholars . Exchange scholars are not normally charged tuition. They may enroll in up to four courses per term for a maximum of two terms (one year). International exchange scholars must maintain a record of full-time enrollment for the duration of their program due to visa requirements, either by enrolling in four courses for credit if engaging solely in coursework, by engaging in a full-time program of research, or by engaging in a combination of coursework and research.

In rare circumstances, students may apply for a second year of registration in the DSR; however, cumulative enrollment is limited to two years. Students enrolled in the DSR who are subsequently admitted to degree programs in the Graduate School may receive academic and tuition credit for no more than four courses completed while enrolled in the DSR, provided that the department recommends such credit and the appropriate associate dean approves.

Interdisciplinary Study

All graduate students are formally associated with one department or program, and in the case of students in combined-degree programs, with two. Students may, however, be encouraged to take one or more courses in related departments. Students are often advised by faculty members from more than one department during their dissertation research. Students in the Graduate School, with permission of the director of graduate studies and the relevant school, may take advantage of particular course or research opportunities in Yale College and in Yale’s professional schools.

Combined- and Joint-Degree Programs

Students interested in African American Studies, Early Modern Studies, Film and Media Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies pursue a combined Ph.D. with departments in related fields. In addition to these academic programs, there are several formal interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in the Graduate School listed under the appropriate departmental entries of this bulletin. Ad hoc programs may also be approved. A student who is interested in an ad hoc program should prepare a written proposal for review and approval by the relevant departments and associate dean before the student has advanced to candidacy.

Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate directors of graduate studies about specific opportunities for interdisciplinary study throughout the Graduate School and University.

The Graduate School also participates in formal joint-degree programs with certain professional schools, including the J.D./M.A. and J.D./Ph.D. programs in cooperation with the Law School; the M.D./Ph.D. program in cooperation with the School of Medicine; and the Ph.D./M.B.A. program in cooperation with the School of Management. In addition, joint-degree programs with professional schools have been approved for master’s students in Chemical & Environmental Engineering, European and Russian Studies, and International and Development Economics. These programs are described in the individual departmental listings.

For all joint-degree programs except the M.D./Ph.D., students are required to submit formal applications to both the professional school and the Graduate School indicating their interest in enrolling in the joint program. Individuals interested in the M.D./Ph.D. program apply directly to the M.D./Ph.D. program. (See Requirements for Joint-Degree Programs, under Degree Requirements .)

Cooperative Degree Program

Yale-university of puerto rico m.d./ph.d. cooperative program  .

The Yale-UPR M.D./Ph.D Cooperative Program allows students to obtain an M.D. from the University of Puerto Rico-Medical Science Campus (UPR-MSC) and a Ph.D. from the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) in approximately eight years. This program is targeted to those students who are committed to a research career in biomedical, translational, or health sciences, and who meet the requirements for admission to both the Ph.D. program at Yale and the M.D. program at UPR.

Application and Admissions Process

Prospective students apply simultaneously to UPR-MSC and to Yale through each institution’s respective online application process. The admission process for UPR-MSC School of Medicine starts in December and ends by mid-March, by which time Yale usually provides its decision on admissions to the Ph.D. program. Students must be accepted by both programs to participate in the M.D./Ph.D. Cooperative Program. Admission to UPR-MSC or to Yale does not guarantee admission to the M.D./Ph.D. Cooperative Program.

Program Details

Years one to three: UPR-MSC Students are required to complete the first three years of the Medicine Program at UPR-MSC. Students travel to Yale for eight weeks in the summer after their first year of medical school to complete one to two laboratory rotations.

Years four to seven: Yale Years four through seven of the program are spent at Yale. The students complete lab rotations and advanced coursework, take the qualifying exam, and conduct dissertation research. They also complete one term of teaching and attend seminars, journal clubs, department retreats, and social/networking activities. The students’ progress on the dissertation research and advanced coursework are guided by the DGS of the Ph.D. Program, thesis adviser, and thesis committee.

The UPR-MSC Ph.D. candidates must meet all of the academic requirements of their doctoral programs, including one term of teaching and completion of required Ph.D. courses. Any exceptions to coursework requirements will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the director of graduate studies and associate dean of the Graduate School. Completion of the Ph.D. requirements is estimated at four years. Writing, defense, and submission of the thesis is subject to approval by the Ph.D. thesis committee.

Year eight: Return to UPR-MSC and Graduation Upon successful completion of the dissertation research and required coursework, the Ph.D. will be awarded by Yale University. After receiving the Ph.D., students return to UPR-MSC for the remainder of their medical training and to receive their M.D. degree from UPR-MSC. The expectation is that the M.D. degree will not be awarded prior to the completion of the Ph.D. requirements.

Exchange Scholar Program

http://gsas.yale.edu/academics/exchanges/exchange-scholar-program-ivyplus-exchange

Graduate students in Yale Ph.D. programs may petition to enroll full- or part-time for a term or an academic year as exchange scholars at the University of California at Berkeley, Brown, the University of Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Stanford. The Exchange Scholar Program enables students to take advantage of educational opportunities not available at their home institutions. Applications are available at the website listed above. Please direct questions to Assistant Dean Sarah Insley ( [email protected] ). Applications must be received at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the term for which the student is applying.

International Graduate Student Exchange Agreements

http://gsas.yale.edu/academics/exchanges/international-exchanges

The Graduate School has established and continues to develop formal exchanges with a number of institutions internationally in cases where there are reciprocal academic benefits for faculty and graduate students. Yale doctoral students may participate in the international exchanges listed below. Most of them last one term or a full academic year, and a small number of exchanges are available for summers only.

All international exchange agreements must be approved in advance by the Graduate School to ensure that they meet University policies and Graduate School guidelines. Departments interested in establishing an exchange program must prepare a statement that demonstrates that there is a clear academic and reciprocal need for the program, and that the program will conform to the established guidelines for exchange agreements. Students and faculty interested in pursuing these exchanges should contact Assistant Dean Sarah Insley ( [email protected] ).

International Exchange Programs

Chemistry Universität Göttingen, Germany

Earth and Planetary Sciences University of Helsinki, Finland

Economics Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland; Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris [“Sciences Po”], France; Università Bocconi, Milan, Italy; Universität Bonn, Germany; Universität Mannheim, Germany

French École Normale Supérieure-PSL, Paris, France; Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris [“Sciences Po”], France

Graduate School Baden-Württemberg Exchange, Germany; Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland; German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany; Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Royal Holloway College, University of London, England; Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China; University College London, England

History Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris [“Sciences Po”], France

Italian Studies Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS), Pisa, Italy

Political Science Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, France [“Sciences Po”]; Nuffield College, University of Oxford, England

Public Health National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Sociology Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris [“Sciences Po”], France; University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Summer Study

Doctoral students are funded year-round and are expected to make progress toward the completion of their degrees during the summer months. (See Summer Registration under Registration Status and Leaves of Absence, under Academic Regulations .) See individual departmental policies in this bulletin regarding specific expectations for degree programs during the summer. Although the Graduate School does not offer academic courses in the summer, language for reading instruction is available through the Yale Summer Session, and graduate students may wish to take advantage of these programs while in New Haven. For further details on summer offerings at Yale, please consult the Yale Summer Session website at http://summer.yale.edu and the appropriate dean in the Graduate School.

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

Download 2022-2023 Graduate PDF

• Majors & Careers
• Online Grad School
• Preparing For Grad School
• Student Life

Top 10 Best PhD in Law Programs [2024]

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Top PhD in Law Programs

Yale university, law school.

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

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

Stanford University

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

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

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

The University of Chicago, The Law School

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)

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

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

Columbia University, Law School

JSD Program

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

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

Harvard University, Law School

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

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

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

The University of Pennsylvania, Carey Law School

Doctor of Science of Law (SJD)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

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

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

Abraham Lincoln University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

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

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

Walden University

Online PhD in Criminal Justice

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

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

What Do You Need to Get a PhD in Law?

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

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

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

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

Preparing for a Law Doctorate Program

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

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

Things to Consider When Choosing a Law PhD Program

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

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

Why Get a Doctorate in Law?

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

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

Jobs for PhD in Law Degree Holders

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

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

Course Costs

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

Course Length

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

Skills You’ll Gain through a PhD in Law

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

PhD in Law FAQs

What is a phd in law called.

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

Is a PhD in Law the Same as a JD?

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

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

What is the Highest Degree in Law?

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

How Long is a PhD in Law?

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

What Does a PhD in Law Do?

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

Lisa Marlin

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

• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ 12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ ACBSP Vs AACSB: Which Business Program Accreditations is Better?
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ BA vs BS: What You Need to Know [2024 Guide]
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ The 19 Best MBA Scholarships to Apply for [2024-2025]

Top 12 Best Laptops for Graduate Students in 2024

Top 10 best phd in theology programs [2024], related posts.

• How New Grads Research Companies to Find Jobs

• Experience Paradox: Entry-Level Jobs Demand Years in Field

• Grad Trends: Interest in Artificial Intelligence Surges

Applying to Big Tech This Year? Here’s How to Ace It.

73% of job seekers believe a degree is needed for a well-paying role–but is it?

Tech Talent Crunch: Cities with More Jobs Than Workers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• Computer Science Graduate Admission Trends: Annual Results
• The Best Academic Planners for 2024/2025

© 2024 TheGradCafe.com All rights reserved

• Partner With Us
• Results Search
• Submit Your Results
• Write For Us

Department of History

Ph.d. programs.

The Department of History’s doctoral degree program seeks to train talented historians for careers in scholarship, teaching, and beyond the academy. The department typically accepts 22 Ph.D. students per year. Additional students are enrolled through various combined programs and through HSHM.  All admitted Ph.D. students receive a  full  financial aid package  from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

History of Science and Medicine

The  Program in the History of Science and Medicine  (HSHM)  is a semi-autonomous graduate track within the Department of History. HSHM students receive degrees in History, with a concentration in the History of Science and Medicine.  There is a separate admissions process for students interested in the History of Science and Medicine. For more information, please see the  HSHM website . 

Combined Doctoral Programs

Joint ph.d. programs.

It looks like you're trying to zoom in on this page. For best results: use the most recent version of your browser, disable your browser's 'zoom text only' setting, and use your browser's default font size settings.

To zoom in, use [Ctrl] + [+] in Windows, and [Cmd] + [+] on a Mac. To zoom out, use the keyboard shortcut [Ctrl] + [-] in Windows and [Cmd] + [-] on a Mac.

Yale University

Additional Navigation

Departments & programs.

The following is a list of our degree-granting academic departments and programs. 

For a list of undergraduate majors, see the Yale College Programs of Study page .

African American Studies

African studies, american studies, anesthesiology, anthropology, applied mathematics, applied physics, archaeological studies, architecture, biological & biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, biostatistics, cell biology, cellular & molecular physiology, chemical & environmental engineering, child study center, chronic disease epidemiology, cognitive science, comparative literature, comparative medicine, computational biology & bioinformatics, computer science, dermatology, early modern studies, earth & planetary sciences, east asian languages & literatures, east asian studies, ecology & evolutionary biology, electrical engineering, emergency medicine, engineering & applied science, english language & literature, environment, environmental health sciences, epidemiology of microbial diseases, ethnicity, race, & migration, european & russian studies, experimental pathology, film & media studies, global affairs, health care management, health policy & management, history of art, history of medicine, history of science & medicine, immunobiology, internal medicine, international & development economics, investigative medicine, italian studies, jewish studies, laboratory medicine, latin american studies, linguistics, mathematics, mechanical engineering & materials science, medieval studies, microbial pathogenesis, microbiology, modern middle east studies, molecular biophysics & biochemistry, molecular, cellular & developmental biology, near eastern languages & civilizations, neuroscience, neuroscience, interdepartmental program, neurosurgery, obstetrics, gynecology & reproductive sciences, ophthalmology & visual science, orthopaedics & rehabilitation, pharmacology, political science, public health, radiology & biomedical imaging, religious studies, slavic languages & literatures, south asian studies, spanish & portuguese, statistics & data science, theater & performance studies, therapeutic radiology/radiation oncology, women’s, gender, & sexuality studies, faculty of arts and sciences (fas).

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is composed of the departments and academic programs that provide instruction in Yale College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Explore Our Schools

Yale University Fully Funded PhD in Law

Yale university.

Yale University based in New Haven, Connecticut offers a fully funded PhD in Law. In addition to offering an opportunity to study and contribute to the evolution of law as an academic field of study, the Ph.D. in Law program provides an excellent pathway to a career in legal scholarship and law teaching. Ph.D. in Law candidates will receive a full-tuition fellowship and a living stipend at an amount set by the Graduate School, Yale Basic Health coverage, and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and specialty coverage.

• Deadline: Dec 15, 2024 (Confirmed)*
• Work Experience: Any
• Location: North America
• Citizenship: Any
• Residency: United States

Create an Account / Log In

Please create a free ProFellow account or log in to view listings in our database.

Fellowship Resources

• Calls for Applications
• Upcoming Fellowship Deadlines
• Fellowships Database
• Interviews with Fellows
• International Fellows Network
• Graduate Funding Directory

Fellowship Tips

• What is a Fellowship?
• Fully Funded Course
• Graduate School Funding
• Fellowship Application Tips
• Fulbright Application Tips
• Fellowship Application Guide
• Our Mission, History & Values
• ProFellow Winner Testimonials
• Fully Funded Course Testimonials
• Fellowship Industry Report
• Advertise With Us
• Terms & Privacy

ProFellow is the go-to source for information on professional and academic fellowships, created by fellows for aspiring fellows.

©2011-2024 ProFellow, LLC. All rights reserved.

FellowshipBard

Fully funded phd programs in law 2024.

Are you holding Master’s degree in Law and looking for fully funded PhD positions in Law? Multiple Universities invite online application for multiple fully funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in various Law research areas.

Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal. 

1. Fully Funded PhD Program in Law & Economics at Vanderbilt University

Summary of phd program:.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, offers a PhD program in Law and Economics that is fully funded. The program integrates legal studies with analytical training in economic theory and technique. Students who complete the program obtain a PhD in Law and Economics as well as a J.D. Law and economics, risk and environmental regulation, labor markets and human resources, and behavioral law and economics are the main areas of research. Although extensive knowledge of mathematics and economic principles is helpful, a major or master’s degree in economics is not required.

All students enrolled to the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics get full tuition support as well as a stipend for living expenses during their studies.

Application Deadline: Dec 01, 2024

2. fully funded jd-phd program in philosophy and law at university of arizona.

The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, provides a fully funded dual JD-PhD program in Philosophy and Law. Earn your doctorate in philosophy while also studying law. This curriculum entails concurrent enrollment in the College of Law’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and the Department of Philosophy’s Ph.D. program (in the Graduate College). You must be admitted to each program independently and authorized for inclusion in the concurrent degree program.

The majority of PhD students receive financial support in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or research assistantships.

Follow FellowshipBard for daily updates!

3. Fully Funded PhD in Justice Studies at Arizona State University  

A fully funded PhD in Justice Studies is available at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The varied community of academics brings students and faculty together across academic boundaries to strategically generate democratic, inclusive, and just social change. The PhD/JD option enables qualified students to obtain a Juris Doctor from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law while also pursuing a transdisciplinary doctorate in justice studies.

Each year, they admit a number of doctorate students who are completely sponsored by graduate scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and other means. These prizes pay for your tuition, health insurance, and a stipend.

4. Fully Funded JD-PhD in Philosophy and Law at University of California

The University of California, Los Angeles, has a fully funded JD-PhD program in Philosophy and Law. JD-PhD program for highly brilliant and devoted individuals interested in pursuing careers in law and philosophy research and teaching.

All admitted students are provided with a two-year fellowship that covers living expenses, university fees, and health insurance. Highly qualified students are given multi-year fellowships by the university. In years when students do not obtain fellowship assistance, they are offered teaching assistantships, which include a salary and other benefits and can last up to five years if they perform well.

10 Best Platforms To Create And Sell Online Courses

5. fully funded jd-phd in business and law at university of chicago booth.

In Chicago, Illinois, the University of Chicago Booth provides a fully funded JD-PhD in Business and Law. The Joint JD-PhD Program prepares you for a career in law or business. You’ll graduate with two advanced degrees. As a PhD student in this joint-degree program, you will have the freedom to follow your research interests wherever they may take you.

All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth get a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel support. The stipend for a Ph.D. is $43,500 per year. Teaching assistantships are guaranteed in the third and fourth years.

6. Fully Funded JD-PhD Program at Columbia University

Columbia University in New York, New York, provides a fully funded JD-PhD program. Biological Sciences, Economics, English and Comparative Literature, History, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, and Sociology are among the GSAS departments that have chosen to participate in the JD-PhD program. Students with any major or concentration are encouraged to apply.

Students will receive financing as GSAS doctoral students for the GSAS phase of the JD/PhD program, which requires a multi-year commitment as mentioned in the official letter of admission from the Dean. This multi-year funding is made up of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

Looking For More Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

7. fully funded jd-phd in law at northwestern university.

Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, provides a fully funded JD-PhD in Law program. The JD-PhD program at Northwestern is open to candidates who want to pursue an academic or research career and whose teaching and research will be enhanced by both degrees. Students can finish the entire program, including the dissertation, in as little as six years.

Northwestern University has the most generous JD-PhD program in the US, typically giving full support (including tuition and living expenses) for up to five students each year for six academic years and three summers.

8. Fully Funded JD-PhD in Environmental Science and Policy at University of Miami

The University of Miami School of Law, located in Coral Gables, Florida, provides a JD-PhD program in Environmental Science and Policy that is fully funded. Students with significant interests in both environmental policy and law can prepare for employment in either the private or public sectors in less time than if they pursued both degrees separately.

For their Ph.D. studies, students will receive stipends and tuition waivers from the ECS program for four years, with the commitment to serve as a Teaching Assistant for one of those four years. The Law School will award a tuition scholarship of $25,000 for the first year of law school.

Get Professional Job Ready & In-demand Career Certificates

9. fully funded jd-phd in law, media and communication at university of north carolina.

The University of North Carolina Center for Media Law and Policy at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers a fully funded JD-PhD program in Law, Media, and Communication. The dual degree program in JD-PhD in Media and Communication is primarily designed for individuals interested in academic careers in media law and policy.

Scholarships and other support, such as writing competitions, job aid, and summer fellowships, are available to students interested in media law and policy at both the UNC School of Law and the UNC School of Media and Journalism. Scholarships are offered to all students in the School of Media and Journalism.

Top 10 Free Statistical Analysis Software

10. fully funded jd-phd in law and economics at vanderbilt university.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, provides a fully funded JD-PhD program in Law and Economics. In a completely integrated curriculum that combines economic theory and methods with the study of law, dual-degree students pursue a law degree and a Ph.D. concurrently. The curriculum is designed to allow students to obtain both degrees in as little as six years. The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is one of a kind.

A competitive package of fellowship support comprising both tuition and stipend is provided to law and economics students.

Looking For Funded Scholarships Programs? Click Here

11. fully funded phd in law at yale university.

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, provides a fully funded PhD in Law program. The Ph.D. in Law program provides an excellent avenue to a career in legal scholarship and law teaching, in addition to providing an opportunity to study and contribute to the evolution of law as an academic field of study.

Candidates for the Ph.D. in Law will receive a full-tuition fellowship and a living stipend provided by the Graduate School, as well as Yale Basic Health coverage and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and speciality coverage.

12. Fully Funded PhD in Justice, Law and Criminology at American University

American University in Washington, DC, offers a fully funded PhD program in Justice, Law, and Criminology. The Ph.D. program is grounded in current criminology, criminal justice, terrorism and homeland security studies, and legal studies theory, principles, practices, and research methodologies. Students plan their programs on one of two areas of study.

Students chosen for AU financing are awarded a fellowship with full funding for four years of study, contingent on sustaining good progress each year, with opportunities for additional funding possible.

10 Best Plagiarism Checkers Software

13. fully funded phd in criminology, law and society at university of california-irvine.

The University of California-Irvine in Irvine, California, offers a fully funded PhD program in Criminology, Law, and Society. The Ph.D. program aims to improve students’ theoretical and methodological sophistication in order to prepare them for professor positions at major universities and colleges, as well as research, training, and administrative work in the justice system.

CLS Ph.D. students are entitled for 12 quarters of support as a Teaching Assistant (TA), making this the most popular source of funding. Departmental and university scholarships provide additional funding.

1 thought on “Fully Funded PhD Programs in Law 2024”

Interested in a PhD in Law and Politics

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Professors Not Responding? Your CV May Be the Reason.

Try Our Ready-to-Use CV Templates Land You in Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Beyond!

Mobile Menu Overlay

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: President   Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families   Together

Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system. As Congressional Republicans have continued to put partisan politics ahead of national security – twice voting against the toughest and fairest set of reforms in decades – the President and his Administration have taken actions to secure the border, including:

• Implementing executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum when encounters are high;
• Deploying record numbers of law enforcement personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the Southern border;
• Seizing record amounts of fentanyl at our ports of entry;
• Revoking the visas of CEOs and government officials outside the U.S. who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully; and
• Expanding efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks and prosecuting individuals who violate immigration laws.

President Biden believes that securing the border is essential. He also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country. The Day One immigration reform plan that the President sent to Congress reflects both the need for a secure border and protections for the long-term undocumented. While Congress has failed to act on these reforms, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to strengthen our lawful immigration system. In addition to vigorously defending the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals) policy, the Administration has extended Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients and streamlined, expanded, and instituted new reunification programs so that families can stay together while they complete the immigration process.  Still, there is more that we can do to bring peace of mind and stability to Americans living in mixed-status families as well as young people educated in this country, including Dreamers. That is why today, President Biden announced new actions for people who have been here many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy.   Keeping American Families Together

• Today, President Biden is announcing that the Department of Homeland Security will take action to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families together.
• This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence – status that they are already eligible for – without leaving the country.
• These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together.
• In order to be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. On average, those who are eligible for this process have resided in the U.S. for 23 years.
• Those who are approved after DHS’s case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.  
• This action will protect approximately half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.

Easing the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers

• President Obama and then-Vice President Biden established the DACA policy to allow young people who were brought here as children to come out of the shadows and contribute to our country in significant ways. Twelve years later, DACA recipients who started as high school and college students are now building successful careers and establishing families of their own.
• Today’s announcement will allow individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas.
• Recognizing that it is in our national interest to ensure that individuals who are educated in the U.S. are able to use their skills and education to benefit our country, the Administration is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have a high-skilled job offer, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers. 

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden.

• Tuition and Fees, 2024-25
• Graduate Financial Aid

Tuition for full-time study at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for the academic year 2024-2025 is $49,500.

If you are a PhD student, you receive a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition through at least your first five years.

If you are a Master's student, you will be responsible for paying tuition, or obtaining funding through your program or from external sources.

More information on Tuition & Fees is available in our Programs & Policies handbook. Please note that we do not charge many of the fees common to other schools (e.g. technology fee, library fee, gym fee, student activities fee).

See Student Accounts for billing and payment inquiries.

• Full-time study, per term: $24,750
• Full-time study in IDE, per term: $25,250
• Half-time study, per term: $12,375
• One-quarter time study, per term: $6,187.50
• Coursework, per course, per term (including audited courses): $6,187.50.
• Visiting Students, per term: $24,750
• Visiting Assistants in Research, per month: $425

Continuous Registration Fee (CRF), per term: $820

Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage, twelve months: $3,111

• It is anticipated that tuition will be increased in subsequent years.
• It is anticipated that the Continuous Registration Fee will be increased in subsequent years.
• Other fees are subject to change without notice. For fees relating to registration and course enrollment, see Course Enrollment, under Academic Regulations.
• See Registration Status and Leaves of Absence, under Academic Regulations.
• Hospitalization fees are for single students. Rates are higher for students needing dependent coverage. Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage includes prescription coverage.

Graduate Financial Aid Office

• [email protected]
• 203-432-2739
• 246 Church Street, 2nd Floor

• Crime & Courts
• National Politics
• News Columnists
• Women Of The Century
• The American South
• Coronavirus

Maurie McInnis grew up in Knoxville. Now, she's the new president of Yale University

Long before Knoxville native Maurie McInnis was appointed president of Yale University , she was surrounded by educators.

Her parents, Malcolm and Jackie McInnis, were professors at the University of Tennessee. Both taught in the College of Education, and Jackie McInnis also taught in the College of Human Ecology.

"My parents, both of whom retired from long careers as faculty members at the University of Tennessee, encouraged my curiosity from an early age," Maurie McInnis said in an email to Knox News after the announcement of her new role at Yale.

This curiosity was nurtured by her years as a student at the Webb School of Knoxville, she said. "The high-quality education I received there was instrumental, and my roots in Knoxville have similarly set me on the path to devote my career to education and research."

The journey from Knoxville to New Haven

After graduating from Webb in 1984, Maurie McInnis attended the University of Virginia, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in art history.

She continued her education at Yale, where she received her doctorate degree in art history in 1996. Her years there were "transformative," she said in an email. "The curiosity instilled in me by my experiences at Yale has driven my work as a cultural historian and as an academic leader as well."

After earning her doctorate from Yale, McInnis returned to the University of Virginia, where she taught for more than 15 years before serving as associate dean and later vice provost for academic affairs, according to LinkedIn.

Following her time at the University of Virginia, McInnis was the executive vice president and provost at the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2020, she has been president of Stony Brook University in New York.

She has been a member of Yale's Board of Trustees since 2022.

Her time as both academic and administrator offers her a unique perspective for the role of university president. “I think each of those different steps has given her a background that is very solid and very sound," her mother, Jackie McInnis, told Knox News. "We're very proud of her."

What sets President-elect Maurie McInnis apart

Once her tenure begins July 1, Maurie McInnis will be Yale’s first permanent female president, making her appointment a landmark one.

"I have no doubt that there are many exciting times ahead for all of us, and of course, there will be many challenges, too," she said. "Through it all, I will work collaboratively with the entire community, so we can continue to live up to our mission and be a beacon for light and truth."

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email [email protected].

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.