Access Restricted to Northwestern Law CommunityProgram Structure
JD-PhD Course of Study/Program Structure
Students can select a doctoral program in any discipline, provided they can incorporate their interest in legal studies with their graduate research, and they can complete a dissertation that integrates both disciplines.
The JD-PhD Program has a strong relationship with the American Bar Foundation (ABF), a research institution dedicated to the study of law and legal institutions through the lens of social science. Several ABF researchers teach at Northwestern University and are eager to work with JD-PhD students. For more information, visit www.abf-sociolegal.org.
Program Structure
| Year 1 | Graduate School course work |
| Summer | Graduate School research and cohort study |
| Year 2 | Graduate School course work |
| Summer | Graduate School research and cohort study |
| Year 3 | Law School course work |
| Summer | Graduate School research |
| Advancement to PhD candidacy before start of year 4 | |
| Year 4 | Law School course work and Graduate Assistantship or TA |
| Summer | Submission of prospectus before start of year 5 |
| Year 5 | Research with Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) position at the Law School or Research and Writing |
| Summer | Submission of prospectus before start of year 6 |
| Year 6 | Writing and completion of dissertation |
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