Current Students

JD-PhD Information for Current Law Students

Current Northwestern Pritzker Law students may apply to the JD-PhD program during their first or second year of law school by completing the JD-PhD program application and by adhering to normal Graduate School deadlines and procedures.

Program Structure

  • Current law students who successfully gain admission to the JD-PhD program must complete their first two years at the Law School before commencing their studies through The Graduate School. This holds regardless of whether or not a current law student is accepted during their first or second year of law school.

  • Similar to students who enter the program externally, these students will have only two years in residence at the Law School. Following the first two years, law students will be granted 14 hours of credit through coursework at The Graduate School and 12 hours of credit toward senior research upon completion of their dissertation toward the JD degree.

  • If a student decides to withdraw from The Graduate School and only complete the JD program, they may return to the Law School to complete a full third year of the JD program.

Funding

  • During the two years in residence at the Law School, grant and scholarship funding will continue at the same level as it was awarded at entry to the JD program. Thereafter, The Graduate School will provide its normal PhD program student funding.


JD-PhD Information for Current Doctoral Students

Current doctoral students may apply to the JD-PhD program during the first or second year of their doctoral program by completing the Law School application and adhering to the Law School's normal deadlines, requirements, and procedures. Students must notify The Graduate School’s Office of Admission at tgs-admissions-staff@northwestern.edu of their intent to apply for the combined program.

Effective September 2016, individuals who have completed a year of law school at an institution other than Northwestern University will not be eligible to apply to the joint JD-PhD program. Such students, however, may apply separately to The Graduate School and, as a transfer student, to the Law School. Students who successfully gain admission to the Law School will be required to complete all requirements associated with transfer students, including two years in residence at the Law School. Financial aid will be awarded in a manner consistent with prevailing Law School practices and policies for transfer students. Students should consult The Graduate School for information concerning their related programmatic and funding policies.

Program Format

  • Current graduate students who successfully gain admission to the JD-PhD program must complete their first two years at The Graduate School before commencing their studies at the Law School

  • Similar to students who enter the program externally, these students will have only two years in residence at the Law School. Following the two years, law students will be granted 14 hours of credit through coursework at The Graduate School and 12 hours of credit toward senior research upon completion of their dissertation toward the JD degree.

  • If a student decides to withdraw from The Graduate School and only complete the JD Program, they may pursue the Law School degree solely and will be subject to the stated financial aid, billing, and academic requirements of the Law School.

Funding

  • Funding will operate in the same manner as it does for an external JD-PhD candidate.