Law

The Northwestern University Law School offers a comprehensive and rigorous Juris Doctor (JD) program designed to prepare students for successful careers in the legal profession. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical skills, providing students with a broad understanding of the law while also offering opportunities for specialization. Students benefit from an esteemed faculty renowned for their scholarly research and practical expertise, engaging in a diverse curriculum that covers core areas such as constitutional law, criminal law, contracts, property law, torts, and legal writing. Northwestern Law School fosters an intellectually stimulating environment with a focus on experiential learning through clinics, simulations, and externships, allowing students to gain real-world experience before graduation. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from business, politics, and technology, to address complex legal issues faced in today's dynamic society. With its strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and innovation, Northwestern Law prepares graduates to succeed in various legal settings, including private practice, public service, corporate law, and academia. The vibrant campus community promotes collaborative learning, professional development, and networking through numerous conferences, moot court competitions, and student organizations. By completing this program, students earn a J.D. degree that signifies their competence, ethical commitment, and readiness to serve as leaders in the legal field. Whether pursuing a traditional legal career or engaging in cutting-edge legal research, students at Northwestern Law are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing legal landscape.

Students can select a doctoral program in any discipline, provided they can incorporate their interest in law with their graduate research, and they can complete a dissertation that draws on both disciplines.

Northwestern JD-PhD students have come from a range of PhD programs, including: African-American Studies; Anthropology; Economics; Finance; History; Media, Technology & Society; Political Science; Philosophy; Psychology; Religion; Sociology; and Civil Engineering. 

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.

Year One

• Graduate School course work
• Summer - Graduate School research

Year Two

• Graduate School course work
• Summer - Graduate School research

Year Three

• Law School course work
• Summer - Graduate School and/or Law School research
• Advancement to PhD candidacy before start of year four

Year Four

• Law School course work and Graduate Assistantship or TA
• Summer - Submission of prospectus before start of year five

Year Five

• Research at the Law School or Graduate School
• Summer - Submission of prospectus before start of year six

Year Six

• Writing and completion of dissertation

* Subject to PhD departmental requirements

Graduation Requirements

Both the JD and PhD are awarded concurrently after all degree requirements are satisfied for both programs, including completion of:

• Two years of Law School credit hours in addition to the 14 credit hours awarded for law-related interdisciplinary graduate course work, 
• All Law School requirements apart from course hours, and
• All course work and other requirements, including the dissertation, that are necessary for the PhD. 

JD-PhD students are required to have a member of the Northwestern Law faculty on their dissertation committee. Doing so satisfies the Law School writing requirement.

Requirements

Applicants to Northwestern's JD-PhD program must meet the admission requirements of both the Law School and The Graduate School to gain admittance into the program. The program has a single, integrated online application, which means applicants need only submit one application.

Applicants should follow the instructions for applying as outlined on The Graduate School's website, as well as complete the additional instructions set out below. International students must also meet the requirements for certification of language proficiency. 

Both The Graduate School and Law School admissions offices review each application. The schools sometimes award admission independently if the joint application does not result in an offer of admission.

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.

Scholarships

Students admitted to the JD-PhD program are typically granted full funding (including tuition and all living expenses) for six academic years and five summers.

This funding is contingent upon the student entering an academic position within four years of graduation from the program or a position with an organization whose primary stated mission is to conduct research.

Students who can demonstrate a good faith effort* to secure an academic position, who obtain a position with an organization whose mission is research based, or who experience a significant life event** that interrupts their academic job search will be excluded from this policy.

The Northwestern University School of Law offers a comprehensive legal education designed to prepare students for successful careers in various fields of law and public policy. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, practical skills, and a strong foundation in legal principles. Students have access to a wide range of courses covering areas such as constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law, international law, intellectual property, and environmental law. The curriculum is structured to combine rigorous academic coursework with experiential learning opportunities, including clinics, internships, and moot court competitions. Northwestern Law is renowned for its pioneering legal clinics, which allow students to work directly with clients on real-world legal issues under the supervision of faculty members. These clinics cover diverse topics such as immigration, criminal justice, civil rights, and entrepreneurship. The program also offers various joint degree options, allowing students to combine their JD with other graduate degrees like an MBA or Master of Public Policy, fostering a multidimensional approach to legal education. Faculty members are distinguished scholars and practitioners committed to mentoring students and advancing legal scholarship. The law school provides a vibrant campus community with numerous student organizations, seminars, conferences, and networking events that enhance professional development. Northwestern Law places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, striving to create an equitable environment that reflects the global and multifaceted nature of the legal profession. The institution's strategic location in Chicago offers students unparalleled access to major legal markets, law firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in private practice, public service, corporate law, academia, or policy advocacy across the United States and internationally. The school’s mission is to develop thoughtful, ethical, and capable legal professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on society through innovative legal solutions and leadership.