Harvard University's J.D./Ph.D. program is designed for students who wish to earn a law degree and a doctoral degree in an arts and sciences discipline. Interested students must be accepted by both Harvard's law school and its graduate school of arts and sciences. Once accepted, students must submit a plan of study for both degrees and meet requirements such as completion of 40 hours of public service and passing general or qualifying examinations. For completion of the Ph.D., the student must successfully defend a dissertation. Fellowships are available for qualified students and students are assigned faculty advisers in both the law school and the graduate school.
Harvard University
J.D./Ph.D. Program
1525 Massachusetts Avenue, Griswold 207
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-5315
law.harvard.edu
Law school students at NYU can apply to a dual J.D./Ph.D. program in philosophy. The program is ideal for students who are interested in exploring issues such as political philosophy, ethics and the theory of knowledge. Interested students must be admitted to the law school and the graduate school of arts and sciences; however, students who are already enrolled in one program can apply to the other. Some courses, such as political theory and ethical theory, can be counted toward the degree requirements for both the J.D. and Ph.D. Students may begin their studies in either law or philosophy and must complete a teaching assistantship and thesis in philosophy.
New York University
Department of Philosophy
5 Washington Place
New York, NY 10003
212-998-8320
philosophy.fas.nyu.edu
Northwestern University's offers a dual J.D./Ph.D. program that permits students to select from any Ph.D. program so long as legal studies are a part of the doctoral research. Northwestern notes on its website that most students in the dual-degree program complete the Ph.D. in a social science or humanities discipline such as history, sociology or psychology. Students apply to Northwestern's law school and graduate school; all applicants must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Admitted students receive full funding to cover six years of full-time study. Current law school or doctoral students at Northwestern may also apply to the program.
Northwestern University
J.D./Ph.D. program
375 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-503-0179
tgs.northwestern.edu
Duke University's law school permits qualified students to pursue a doctoral degree in philosophy or political science in conjunction with a law degree. Students in the program complete a minimum of two years of coursework for the Ph.D. and defend a dissertation. Prospective students apply to the law school and the university's graduate school. Students must meet law school requirements such as taking two ethics courses and completing a total of 72 law school credits. Duke's website notes that both degrees can be earned within five to six years.
Duke University
School of Law
210 Science Drive, box 90393
Durham, NC 27708-0393
919-613-7020
law.duke.edu