Overview

Cornell University will be widely recognized as a top-ten research university in the world, and a model university for the interweaving of liberal education and fundamental knowledge with practical education and impact on societal and world problems.

Features

Students completing a Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) degree at Cornell University should be able to:

Produce original, publishable scholarship in the field of law, demonstrate independent thinking to select topics of inquiry, and develop concepts and methods.

Demonstrate a thorough command of theoretical and empirical knowledge across several distinct subareas of the field of law, such as comparative law, international law, comparative legal history, legal anthropology and other fields related to the student’s primary area of research.

Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a major area of expertise in the field of law, including a thorough knowledge of the relevant literature.

Show effective mastery of the appropriate methodologies and techniques necessary for research, such as functionalism, legal transpant theory, critical legal studies, empirical studies, and the like.

Show effective professional skills: keeping abreast of scholarship within the field, clear and concise writing, well-organized presentations in conference and classroom settings, and job search preparation.

Demonstrate a commitment to advancing the values of scholarship: participate in field colloquia and conferences, adhere to ethical standards, engagement in professional societies (AALS, L&S, etc.), and other professional activities.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

The Field of Law expects J.S.D. candidates to conduct original research into specific legal topics of individual interest while deepening their understanding of American domestic law, international law, and comparative law, particularly in areas in which Cornell’s faculty is world renowned.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Ithaca, United States

Disciplines

European Law Legal Studies View 59 other PhDs in Legal Studies 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

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Other requirements

General requirements

Required Tests

Recommendations

Academic Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement

Transcript Requirements

English Language Proficiency Requirement

International Degree Equivalencies

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

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year
Out-of-State

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year

Living costs

Ithaca

United States

1128 - 2460 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

Living costs

Ithaca

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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