Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is a dual-degree program, conferring both a J.D. and a Ph.D. in law and economics upon completion of program requirements. Applicants must complete separate applications to Vanderbilt Graduate School and Vanderbilt Law School. Each applicant’s Law School and Graduate School applications will be considered together in a collaborative admissions process. The Program does not offer spring admission. Program students are able to earn a J.D. and a Ph.D. in Law and Economics in just 6 years.
The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is currently accepting applications for fall 2025. Applications received by January 15, 2025, will receive priority consideration.
Students receive a full funding package for all 6 years, including:
- tuition covered at 100% for both degrees
- a competitive annual stipend package
- almost all fees covered
Sign up here to receive an invitation to the Zoom info sessions, which will be held by the Director of Graduate Studies and several current program students on:
- Wednesday, October 16 at 6 PM Central Time
- Thursday, November 14 at 7 PM Central Time
Eligibility
- Students admitted to the dual-degree program must meet the standards for admission to Vanderbilt Law School as well as for admission to leading Ph.D. programs in economics
- Successful applicants have strong undergraduate coursework in math.
- Highly recommended undergraduate courses are (1) 2 or 3 terms of calculus, (2) linear algebra, (3) real analysis, and (4) mathematical statistics.
- Successful applicants also have a clear interest and potential for conducting social science research in the program’s fields of specialization.
Requirements
Ph.D. students in Law and Economics are required to complete 72 hours of coursework and research. The core consists of 27 hours of coursework in law and economics, economic theory, and empirical analysis. Students select two fields of concentration from a pre-approved list of fields and take associated field courses.
Graduate requirements include:
- A minimum of 48 hours of formal coursework in core, field, and elective courses, including:
- 24 hours of first-year graduate core
- 3 hours of Research in Law and Economics
- 12 hours of field coursework
- 9 hours of graduate non-field coursework
- 6 hours of Ph.D. Workshop in Law and Economics
- 6 hours of research
Application Details
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardised test scores
For technical questions regarding the Graduate School electronic application process, call 615-343-2727 or write to ap***@va********.edu.
