Overview

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

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7.5

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New Haven, United States

Disciplines

Public Law View 61 other PhDs in Public Law in United States

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Academic requirements

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

English requirements

IELTS

7.5

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Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

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 (15,000 words): 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.
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
Curriculum Vitae
Test Scores
Application Fee
There are no set English test minimums for admission, but incoming doctoral students who received a score of 25 or below on the TOEFL Speaking section are required to participate in a Summer English Language program at Yale in August prior to matriculation.

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

Free
Out-of-State

Free
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

Free

Additional Details

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

Living costs

New Haven

United States

1380 - 2110 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.

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

New Haven

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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