phd in law admission 2022 in govt universities

The Ph.D in Law programme is designed for post-graduate students who wish to advance their studies through research in law.

The programme offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. ?As a part of the programme, candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at TNNLU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.

TNNLU - Ph.D ADMISSION - TNNLU's Ph.D Regulations 2021

TNNLU - Ph.D. Scholars List - 2022

Eligibility for Admission to the Ph.D. Programme  

The Candidates seeking admission for the Ph.D. programme shall meet any of the following requirements as to the eligibility:  

• The Candidate should have a Master's degree in Law or an equivalent professional degree approved by the Bar Council of India or the UGC, from time to time, with at least 55% of marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade in a UGC Grade point scale wherever any grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% of marks, that is, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) or ‘Differently Abled’ and such other candidates as may be notified by the UGC and Government of Tamil Nadu from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree before 19th September 1991”. Or
• Explanation: the eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned in Regulation 2.1. (a) and (b) are considered solely for qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures]. Or
• The candidate should have a law degree (LL.B.) [through the regular mode] as well as passed the Company Secretary Examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and shall have the Associate Membership of the Institute. Importantly, the research proposed by such a candidate should be inter-disciplinary in its design and approach. Or
• The candidate should have a law degree (LL.B.) [through the regular mode] and additionally passed the final examination of Chartered Accountants conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Besides, the research proposed by such a candidate shall be inter-disciplinary in its design and approach.

Award of Ph.D. in Law / Interdisciplinary

The Ph.D. in Law shall be awarded for the candidates who applied under the eligibility condition mentioned in Regulations

• As referred above as well as
• For those candidate who had completed M.Phil in Law. Whereas, for the candidates who applied under Regulations (b) (M.Phil in Commerce), (c) and (d) will be eligible only for the award of Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary), provided all other necessary conditions are fulfilled under the TNNLU Ph.D. Regulations, 2021].

 Enrolment & Duration of the Programme

• The University shall offer its Ph.D. programme in both full-time and part-time modes. However, ordinarily, the enrolment for the Ph.D. programme in the University shall be in full-time mode and where the full-time mode of study is not possible for the candidates then such candidates can register their Ph.D. programme on a part-time mode subject to the terms of the Regulations.
• Gets a full time employment
• Marries (applicable to women candidates only) and is not in a position to continue as a full time research student.]  
• The minimum duration for the Ph.D. programme on a full-time mode shall be 3 years (including course work) and the maximum duration is 5 years from the date of candidate’s registration. Within the said maximum period, the candidate shall complete the research work undertaken by him/her and submit it for evaluation. In the case of a part-time candidate, the minimum period is 4 years (including course work), and this includes the time spent for research at any other place with the permission of the supervisor. The maximum duration shall be 6 years.
• On completion of the maximum duration, an extension of up to one year (two extensions, each for six months) may be granted by the Doctoral Council on the recommendation of the research supervisor if it is convinced that the candidate seeking such extension will be able to complete the writing of his/her thesis within the period of extension.
• The Doctoral Council shall thereon inform the candidate concerned, and the Vice-Chancellor if such an extension is granted or rejected.
• The extension, mentioned above, may be awarded subject to the candidate paying the notified fees which may be revised by the University from time to time.
• Notwithstanding anything said in Regulation 3.3, women candidates and Persons with more than 40% disabilities may be allowed a relaxation of two years in the aforementioned maximum duration. [In addition, a woman candidate may be provided maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D. for 240 days. 

 Availability of Seats & Admission Notification

• On an annual basis, TNNLU shall decide through the Doctoral Council a predetermined or manageable number of Ph.D. scholars to be admitted. This shall be done considering the number of available Research Supervisors, the scholar-teacher ratio and other academic/physical infrastructure including library facilities of the University.
• The Ph.D. notification may be prepared based on the guidelines/norms made by the UGC and other statutory bodies concerned, and by considering the reservation policy of the Government from time to time.
• The University, then, shall issue an admission notification on its website and an advertisement in at least 2 national newspapers, of which at least 1 shall be in the regional language. The notification shall specify the number of vacancies, criteria for admission, details of the entrance test, the procedure for admission and where necessary, specify the examination centre(s).

Admission Procedure

• Application for admission shall be submitted along with the research proposal/synopsis of the topic of research to the Registrar of TNNLU in the prescribed form and on payment of the prescribed fees.
• Then there shall be a screening for the Ph.D. admission. The screening for Ph.D. admission shall consist of two components, viz., an Entrance Test and an Interview. Besides, if the candidate seeks to avail of the TNNLU Research Fellowship, if any, for pursuing research then he/she shall appear for the Admission Test to determine the interse merit based on which such Research Fellowship shall be awarded.
• The question paper of the Entrance Test shall have two parts. Questions in Part-A shall cover the research methodology, constitutional law, jurisprudence, environmental law, international law and human rights law. Whereas, the Part-B shall test students on the subject specific knowledge. The duration of the Test shall be one and half hours with additional half an hour for the visually impaired or differently abled students.
• Part-A shall contain Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). In this Part, all questions shall be compulsory and carry 2 marks each. There will be no negative marking for the questions answered wrongly.
• The Part-B shall have five descriptive or analytical questions relating to the area of study chosen by the student. Each question carries equal marks. d. Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
• The University reserves the right to exclusively focus on research methodology component for 50 marks in Part-A of the Entrance Test.  e. The Entrance Test shall ordinarily be conducted at the university. However, the University reserves the right to choose the mode of the Entrance Test (online/offline).
• A candidate securing 50% of marks (in the case of general category) and 45% (in the case of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes) in the Entrance Test shall alone be considered as qualified. Such candidates shall be declared as eligible to be called for interview.
• Later, the candidates who have passed the Entrance Test shall be called for an interview. All the candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. Programme who have passed the Entrance Test, shall be required to present themselves for an interview before the [Doctoral Council. This Council shall be comprised of all the research supervisors from within the University and where necessary, external experts may be invited by the Vice-Chancellor to interview the candidates and screen their research proposals.
• In the interview, the candidates shall present their research proposal before the Doctoral Council.
• Candidate’s ability in presenting and defending the research proposal (10 marks);  
• Research aptitude of the Candidates (as evidenced by research publications and papers presented in conferences in the subject area) (5 marks);
• Research methodology adopted (10 marks);  
• The viability of the topic of research (5 marks);  
• (i) whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research (1 mark);  (ii) whether the research work can be suitably undertaken at the TNNLU (1 mark); and  (iii) whether the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional knowledge (3 marks); (i.e., d (i) to (iii) carries 5 marks); and d. Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
• The University reserves the right to exclusively focus on research methodology component for 50 marks in Part-A of the Entrance Test.
• The Entrance Test shall ordinarily be conducted at the university. However, the University reserves the right to choose the mode of the Entrance Test (online/offline).
• Later, the candidates who have passed the Entrance Test shall be called for an interview. All the candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. Programme who have passed the Entrance Test, shall be required to present themselves for an interview before the [Doctoral Council. This Council shall be comprised of all the research supervisors from within the University and where necessary, external experts may be invited by the Vice-Chancellor to interview the candidates and screen their research proposals. 4.2.6 In the interview, the candidates shall present their research proposal before the Doctoral Council.
• Research methodology adopted (10 marks);
• (i) whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research (1 mark);  (ii) whether the research work can be suitably undertaken at the TNNLU (1 mark); and  (iii) whether the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional knowledge (3 marks); (i.e., d (i) to (iii) carries 5 marks); and 

Course Work

• The research students admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall complete the coursework within one year from the date of joining.
• Ordinarily, the Ph.D. coursework shall be conducted by the University in an offline mode. However, the University reserves the right to conduct the same in an online mode if it is impossible to administer the course work in an offline mode owing to COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or for any other reasons.
• “Unless exempted, every candidate admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall do mandatory Ph.D. coursework for 16 weeks. The Course work is designed for 10 credits comprising of the following components: 

Assessments and Marks Allocation

• The Syllabus for the research methodology including quantitative methods, computer applications and research ethics shall be framed by the Doctoral Council of TNNLU and the syllabus relating to the subject-specific courses shall be framed by the supervisor of the research student concerned in consultation with the Research Committee.
• Grades in the course work, including research methodology courses shall be finalized after an assessment by the course teacher and the evaluation of the end semester examination if any.
• The Doctoral Council shall administer the course work and the evaluation of the same. At the end of the course work, the Doctoral Council shall direct the examination department of the University to complete the entry of marks/grade in the records of the candidate.
• Thereafter, the result of the Course work shall be communicated to the research student and a grade card shall also be issued to him/her by the University.
• A candidate who obtains a minimum of 55% of marks or its equivalent grade in the course work alone shall be eligible to continue in the programme and submit the final thesis.
• Also, if need be, the full-time research students may be required to assist the professors of the University in organizing seminars, conferences, publications and lectures, etc.

Progress Report by the Research Student

• All research students (enrolled on part-time & full-time mode) shall submit a semester-wise progress report to their Research Supervisors.
• There shall be a half-yearly open presentation of the research student convened by the Chairperson/Convener of the Doctoral Council on the recommendation of the research supervisor.
• A half-yearly presentation of the progress of the research shall be made by each candidate, before the respective Doctoral Committee, which may be attended by other research Supervisors and research students of TNNLU.
• The Doctoral Committee shall draw up minutes on the presentation and assessment and also record whether the [research] 13 student has been making satisfactory progress or not. A copy of the minutes so made shall be sent to the Registrar with due intimation to the Doctoral Council and Academic Section. 
• A student registered as a full-time Ph.D. research student shall have at least 80% attendance every semester. Failing which, such scholar’s name shall be removed from the rolls of TNNLU subject to other provisions stated herein.
• Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
• The Doctoral may condone the shortage of attendance up to 10 % on an application made by the student, duly recommended by the Research Supervisor.
• Unless exempted by the Doctoral Council, Regulations 4.7.1 and 4.7.2 may also be applied to the part-time scholars during the term of the Ph.D. coursework.
• A research student shall be eligible to attend interdisciplinary conferences/seminars/specialized training programmes connected with his/her area of research or visit other places for collecting data, and such days when they were away from TNNLU, including days of travel, shall be counted for attendance or for periods of being in residence at TNNLU if they have been duly authorized to do so by the Research Supervisor and endorsed by the Doctoral Council.
• a candidate who comes under the national/state or such other fellowship or scheme/project etc. shall be governed by the
• The University reserves the right to determine and revise the fee structure applicable to the Ph.D. research students from time to time.
• Every research student shall promptly pay the applicable categories of fees (See Annexure-A) as may be notified by the University, from time to time, by its circular on the notice board or by notification on the TNNLU’s website. However, a Teacher/Research Officer of TNNLU who is also the research student/student in the University is exempted from the payment of such hostel and user fees or charges and refundable deposits if any.
• Every research student is also required to remit the term fees (semester fees) along with the production of an attendance certificate (full-time research students) and a progress report. Also, every research student shall make an open presentation of the progress of research achieved during that semester before the payment of the next semester fees before the Doctoral Committee that may be constituted by the Doctoral Council.
• A list of the research students defaulting on the payment of fees shall be maintained and notified by the University on its website and where necessary by a postal correspondence such a candidate may be informed.
• If any research student fails to remit the fees which are due within 30 days from the last date specified by the University, then the University reserves the right to remove the name(s) of such research students from the rolls. A corresponding note shall be displayed on the TNNLU’s notice board and website.
• In cases where the default in payment of fees exceeds 30 days, the research student shall be required to apply for re-admission within 180 days, which shall be placed for consideration before the Doctoral Council. If the Doctoral Council is satisfied with the genuineness of the causes of delay then it shall be competent to take the appropriate decision to re-admit the research student. However, the registration shall remain cancelled if the research student is in default of fees for more than 180 days from the actual due date. 

Fully Funded JD and PhD Programs In Law

Last updated February 28, 2022

Next in my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their doctoral programs and joint PHD-JD programs in law and justice studies.

When seeking funding for the 4-6 years of your doctoral studies, it is ideal to be accepted to programs offering full funding to all admitted students. When a university indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted doctoral student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, so be sure to research the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.  

In the  ProFellow database , we also list several competitive fellowships for graduate and doctoral study.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

University of Arizona, Duel PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law  (Tucson, Arizona): Most students in the doctoral program receive financial assistance in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or research assistantships. 

Arizona State University, PhD in Justice Studies (Tempe, AZ): Each year we aim to admit the number of doctoral students who can be fully funded with graduate fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. These awards cover your tuition, health insurance, and also carry a stipend.

University of California, Joint PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law (Los Angeles, CA): All admitted students receive two years of fellowship support. Fellowships cover living expenses, university fees, health insurance, and out-of-state tuition if needed. The university awards some multi-year fellowships to highly qualified students. In years when students do not receive fellowship support, they are awarded teaching assistantships that provide a salary and cover university fees and health insurance. Summer teaching may also be available.

University of Chicago Booth, Joint PhD-JD in Business and Law (Chicago, IL): All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth enjoy generous financial assistance consisting of a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel funding. Ph.D. stipend is $43,500 per year. During your third and fourth years in the Ph.D. program, you are guaranteed the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant.

Columbia University JD-PhD Program (New York, NY): During the GSAS portion of the JD/PhD program, students will receive funding as a GSAS doctoral student, multi-year support consists of a combination of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

Northwestern University, PhD-JD in Law (Chicago, IL): Northwestern offers the most financially generous JD-PhD program in the country, typically providing full funding—including tuition and living expenses—for six academic years and three summers, for up to five students per year.

University of Miami School of Law, Joint J.D./Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy (Coral Gables, FL): Students will receive 4 years’ worth of stipends and tuition waivers from the ECS program for their Ph.D. work, with the obligation to serve as a Teaching Assistant for 1 year out of the 4. The Law School will provide a $25,000 tuition scholarship for the first year in Law School.

University of North Carolina Center for Media Law and Policy, Duel JD-PhD in Law, Media and Communication (Chapel Hill, NC): Both the UNC School of Law and School of Media and Journalism provide scholarships and other funding including writing competitions, employment assistance, and summer grants to students who have an interest in media law and policy. Scholarships at the School of Media and Journalism are available to all students.

Vanderbilt University, PhD in Law and Economics (Nashville, TN): Law and economics students are fully funded by a competitive package of fellowship support covering both tuition and stipend.

Yale University, PhD in Law (New Haven, CT): Law Ph.D. students will receive a full-tuition fellowship, and a stipend at an amount set by the Graduate School (for the 2019-1920 academic year, this will be $43,300), Yale Basic Health coverage, and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and specialty coverage.

To view over 1,500 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowship database.

© Victoria Johnson 2020-2021, all rights reserved.

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Coordinated JD/PhD Program

Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Coordinated JD/PhD Program is designed for students interested in completing interdisciplinary work at Harvard University and is founded on the belief that students’ legal studies and their arts and sciences graduate studies can be mutually enriched through this pursuit. Students completing the coordinated program receive a JD from Harvard Law School (HLS) and a PhD from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  (Harvard Griffin GSAS). It is expected that these students will be strong candidates for teaching posts at law schools and in arts and sciences programs, as well as for other positions in law and academia. Prospective students interested in the coordinated program may reach out to  HLS J.D. Admissions  and the  Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions  to learn more. Current and admitted students interested in the coordinated program are encouraged to contact  April Pettit , in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS for questions about the JD program, or  Dan Volchok , Assistant Dean of Student Success at Harvard Griffin GSAS for questions about the PhD programs.

Prospective students must separately apply to and be admitted to both HLS and a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD program in order to participate in the coordinated JD/PhD program.

• Students enrolled in HLS, but not yet admitted to Harvard Griffin GSAS, must apply to Harvard Griffin GSAS no later than the 2L year, meeting the Harvard Griffin GSAS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Students enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS, but not yet admitted to HLS, should apply to HLS no later than the G3 year, meeting the HLS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Please see below for details about participation in the coordinated program for Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year.

Once admitted to both schools, students must submit a proposed Plan of Study to the coordinated program no later than October 1 of the academic year following admission to both schools. Students should submit the Plan of Study to April Pettit in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS.

Please note: Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply to and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year at Harvard Griffin GSAS must then separately apply to the coordinated program. The application to the coordinated program should include (1) a statement detailing the way in which the student plans to integrate his or her legal studies with his or her graduate studies including how work done at HLS will inform the dissertation work and vice versa; and (2) a letter of support from the primary Harvard Griffin GSAS advisor; and (3) the Plan of Study.

The JD/PhD committee will review the applications to determine admission to the coordinated program.

Students will be registered in only one School during any given semester/term. Pursuant to ABA rules, students must  complete all requirements for the JD degree within seven years of the date they first enroll in HLS ; they may graduate from HLS before completing the PhD. Students must have satisfactorily completed at least 16 half courses in their Harvard Griffin GSAS department to receive the PhD. Students in the coordinated program will have two primary faculty advisors, one at HLS and one at Harvard Griffin GSAS, who will jointly advise students.

Students will be expected to complete the first-year program, three upper-level fall or spring semesters, and two winter terms at HLS, for a total of five fall and spring semesters and three winter terms. In lieu of the sixth HLS semester generally required of JD students, students in the coordinated program may take a semester at Harvard Griffin GSAS, completing courses or dissertation work pre-approved by HLS, and equivalent to at least 10 HLS credits. This Harvard Griffin GSAS semester may be taken only after a student has matriculated at HLS and completed their entire first year of study there. Students and their faculty advisors will determine the most appropriate sequencing for each student’s course of study, keeping in mind the HLS course, credit, and residency requirements for this program.

Course and Credit Requirements

First-year program.

The first year at HLS consists of (1) Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legislation and Regulation, Property, and Torts; (2) First-year Legal Research and Writing; (3) January Experiential Term; and (4) a spring upper-level elective at HLS of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 classroom credits.

Upper-Level Years

Credit and residency requirements.

Students must earn no fewer than 52 credits beyond the first year, including 36 HLS classroom credits. Classroom credits include those connected to courses, seminars and reading groups, but not writing or clinical credits. The 36 required classroom credits also include the required minimum of two credits to satisfy the Professional Responsibility Requirement and credits from the required winter terms (provided that the course chosen offers classroom credits). Of the remaining 16 required HLS credits, a maximum of ten are earned through courses or tutorials taken in Harvard Griffin GSAS and/or for dissertation writing (see below). Note that students must have their advisor’s approval before engaging in a semester of Harvard Griffin GSAS dissertation writing that is expected to count toward the HLS credit requirements . The remaining six required HLS credits may be earned in classroom, writing or clinical courses.

While at HLS, students must be enrolled in a minimum of ten total credits each semester in HLS or Harvard Griffin GSAS, with no fewer than eight of these being HLS classroom credits toward the requirement of 36 HLS classroom credits.

Winter Term Requirement

Students also must enroll in the HLS winter term two times during their upper-level years in the program. Each of the winter terms must follow a fall term enrollment or precede a spring term enrollment at HLS. Students may register for a course of two or three credits. JD/PhD students will be permitted to spend one of the winter terms in the HLS Winter Writing Program, provided they are engaged in written work for HLS credit according to the rules of that program.

Written Work Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the JD Written Work Requirement. Students are permitted to satisfy the requirement with a portion of their dissertation, provided this work meets HLS standards for written work. However, any portion of the dissertation counted toward the JD Written Work Requirement cannot also be used as part of the 10 HLS-equivalent credits earned during a student’s Harvard Griffin GSAS semester. Further information about the J.D. Written Work Requirement and the Winter Term Writing Program is available from the HLS Registrar’s Office .

Pro Bono Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the  HLS Pro Bono Requirement  of 50 hours of public service.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of two years of full-time study in residence is required for all PhD programs in the Harvard Griffin GSAS. During the period of registration at HLS, coordinated JD/PhD students will have “study-at-another-Harvard-school” status in Harvard Griffin GSAS.

Structure of Academic Work

Students will ordinarily be enrolled for at least four years (8 terms) in Harvard Griffin GSAS. They must complete at least 16 half courses to receive their PhD. Students may cross-register for a limited number of Harvard Griffin GSAS courses during their upper-level terms at HLS. Depending on the Harvard Griffin GSAS department, these courses may count toward the PhD. However, JD/PhD students may count a maximum of 10 credits from Harvard Griffin GSAS coursework or dissertation writing toward the JD. Therefore, students planning to spend a semester enrolled at Harvard Griffin GSAS taking courses or writing the dissertation for which they will earn 10 HLS credits may not also count cross-registered Harvard Griffin GSAS courses toward the JD.

General Examinations

In most departments, once having completed the required coursework, students must pass a general examination or other preliminary or qualifying examinations before undertaking independent research on a dissertation. Normally, when the nature of the field and previous preparation permit, students should pass these examinations by the end of the second year of full-time academic residence.

PhD Dissertation

The student’s dissertation prospectus must be approved by the department. A student who wishes to present as a dissertation a published article, series of articles, book or other document, or a manuscript that has been accepted for publication, must have the approval of the department concerned. In no case, however, may a dissertation be presented that has already been submitted toward another degree, either at Harvard or elsewhere. The Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must be signed by at least three readers approved by the student’s department, two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). FAS emeriti (including research professors) and faculty members from other schools at Harvard who hold appointments on GSAS degree committees are authorized to sign the Dissertation Acceptance Certificates as FAS members. GSAS strongly recommends that the chair of the dissertation committee be a member of FAS. The third reader may be a member of the HLS faculty.

Requirement of Satisfactory Status

Continuous registration, a satisfactory grade record, and evidence that satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree are required of all candidates for graduate degrees offered by FAS. All students in Harvard Griffin GSAS must be making satisfactory progress in order to be eligible for any type of financial aid and teaching. The following five provisions are the general definition of satisfactory progress during registration in Harvard Griffin GSAS:

• During the first two years of graduate study any student who has completed expected requirements is considered to be making satisfactory progress.
• In each of the first two years, a student must have achieved the minimum grade-point average required by the faculty, a B average. (see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies: Grade and Examination Requirements ).
• By the end of the third year, a student must have passed general examinations or the departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fourth year, a student must have obtained approval of a dissertation prospectus or its departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fifth year and each subsequent year during which a student is allowed to register, they must have produced at least one acceptable chapter of the dissertation.

For more information about satisfactory progress, please see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies .

Other Requirements

Ordinarily, programs will have a language requirement and an expectation of teaching. Students should consult with their Harvard Griffin GSAS departments for more information about these requirements.

There are a number of possible academic schedules for students pursuing both degrees. Three sequences are outlined below, but students may propose alternative sequences. In considering their courses of study, students should be aware that their financial aid packages might be affected at the school in which they defer enrollment.

Year 1: HLS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: HLS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: HLS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: HLS Year 6: 1st term, HLS Year 6: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: HLS Year 2: HLS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Updated Plans of Study

By October 1 each year, current JD/PhD students should submit an updated Plan of Study to April Pettit, in the HLS Office of Academic Affairs.

Other Academic Information

Faculty advising.

Students in the program will have primary faculty advisors at both HLS and at Harvard Griffin GSAS. If possible, HLS faculty advisors should be selected before the completion of the 2L year. The HLS faculty advisor must sign off on any dissertation writing a student expects to use for JD credit. In some Harvard Griffin GSAS departments, the director of graduate studies serves as the faculty advisor during the first two years of study. Faculty advisors will supervise students’ academic work, advise students on their courses of study and on specific classes appropriate for their PhD work, and approve the courses of study for their students on an annual basis. If appropriate, the HLS advisor will be the third reader on the student’s dissertation committee, with at least two readers required to be members of FAS.

Leaving the JD/PhD Program

If a student fails to make adequate progress toward the PhD, the student’s faculty advisors will be permitted to withdraw the student from the program. In such cases, in order to receive the JD degree, a student will still need to meet the graduation and credit requirements for the JD degree.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Harvard law school.

Students must pay five semesters of full tuition. Students will be eligible for HLS financial aid for all semesters during which they pay tuition to HLS. For more information on Financial Aid, visit the Student Financial Services Financial Aid webpage .

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The minimum financial requirement for the PhD is at least four terms of full tuition followed by two years of reduced tuition and a facilities fee unless the degree is completed in less than four years. The financial aid awarded upon admission to the PhD program is available during those terms in which the student is enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should refer to their notice of financial support provided by their department upon admission to Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should consult with their GSAS departments for more information.

Administrative Information

The HLS Registrar’s Office, the FAS Registrar’s Office, the GSAS Assistant Dean of Student Success, the HLS Associate Director of Academic Affairs, and the appropriate financial aid officers, will coordinate on students’ registration status and updated plans of study.

Housing and Student Life

GSAS and HLS will work together to ensure that the student services offered by both Schools are available to JD/PhD students during all their years in the Coordinated Program, including career and counseling offices, financial aid offices, student centers, and alumni offices. Students in the coordinated program will have email accounts at both schools throughout the program. Disability services and visa requirements will be coordinated on a case-by-case basis by the HLS Dean of Students and Registrar and by the Harvard Griffin GSAS Assistant Dean for Student Success. Students may apply for housing through either School for the years in which they are enrolled for at least one semester/term at both Schools. In all other years, students must apply for housing to the School in which they are enrolled.

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