Overview

About the program

Research questions are best informed by a blended education that draws on the methodological and substantive traditions of communication, coupled with the doctrinal foundation, legal writing skills, and policy plus clinical training uniquely available through a legal education.

This Law and Communication program at Stanford University embodies the belief that many of the most pressing questions in both communication law and policy can be best answered by scholars who are able to draw on both traditions, and who would be situated to publish top scholarship, weigh in on policy debates, and potentially represent clients whose legal claims could benefit from the scholars’ expertise.

Programme Structure

Research topics include:

legal and normative First Amendment theories of speech and press
media and communications economy and policy issues
questions of the relationship between citizens and the state, especially regarding mass surveillance and big data
cultural and normative questions about the implications of the shift to the digital realm

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Credits

135 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Stanford, United States

Disciplines

Communication Studies Legal Studies View 59 other PhDs in Legal Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold before enrollment at Stanford, a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, or an international equivalent.
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts (Academic Records)
Resume/CV
TOEFL score (if applicable)

Students interested in the joint degree program must apply and gain entrance separately to the School of Law and the Communication Ph.D. program, and, as an additional step, must secure permission from both academic units to pursue degrees in those units as part of a joint degree program.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

27540 USD / year

≈ 27540 USD / year
Out-of-State

27540 USD / year

≈ 27540 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

27540 USD / year

≈ 27540 USD / year

Additional Details

quarterly tuition
Stanford Law School tuition: $23,870 per quarter

Living costs

Stanford

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

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

Available Scholarships

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

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