JD/PhD Program

Program Category: Dual-Degree Program

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law cooperate in offering combined programs of study leading to the JD degree and the sequential MA, MPhil, and PhD degrees.

Students who wish to take part in this program must make separate applications and gain admission to both the School of Law and a participating department of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Students must be admitted to a PhD program at the Graduate School to participate (there is no JD/MA dual-degree program).

Enrollment in the JD/PhD program is limited to a small number of students each year.

    Participating Departments

    Only the following GSAS departments have elected to participate in the JD/PhD program:

    Applying to the JD/PhD Program

    Applicants must submit applications to both Columbia Law School and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. On each application, applicants must note their interest in the dual-degree program. Applications must be submitted by the Law School deadline and the deadline for the appropriate GSAS department listed above.

      Program of Study

      The JD/PhD program consists of nine semesters of coursework, followed by the writing of the dissertation.

      Students admitted to the JD/PhD program usually begin their studies at the School of Law. After two semesters of study at the Law School, the student then enrolls in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to complete the MA degree, according to the requirements set by the GSAS department.

      Upon receiving the MA degree, the student then completes his or her studies at the Law School. The student is granted advanced standing at the Law School for the conferred MA, reducing the time to complete the JD by one semester. (Note: Advanced standing is granted only to students who earn the MA at Columbia as part of the sequential MA, MPhil, PhD program; advanced standing will not be granted for a master's degree completed elsewhere or through a standalone Columbia MA program.)

      Upon completion of the JD, the student then returns to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Once the JD is conferred, the student will receive two Residence Units (equivalent to two semesters) of advanced standing toward the MPhil degree requirements. The student then completes the requirements for the MPhil and PhD according to the departmental guidelines, which include the preparation and successful defense of a dissertation.

      In certain cases, students may be permitted to vary the sequence of enrollment described above. This will only be granted with the prior approval of the respective advisors at the School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

        Financing Your Education

        During the GSAS portion of the JD/PhD program, students will receive funding as a GSAS doctoral student, which entails a commitment of multi-year support as indicated in the official letter of admission from the dean. This multi-year support consists of a combination of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships. For more information, see the Fellowship Information for Doctoral Students page.

        Students should contact the Law School Financial Aid Office for information about educational financing during the Law School portion of the JD/PhD Program.

          Frequently Asked Questions

          Are there prerequisites for the JD/PhD program?

          No, there are no prerequisites requirements for the JD/PhD program. Students from all majors and concentrations are welcome to apply. For information about possible prerequisites for a specific department in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, please consult the department website.

          I am currently a student in the Law School or GSAS. Am I still able to apply to the JD/PhD program?

          First-year students in GSAS or Columbia Law School are eligible to apply to the JD/PhD program partner school for entry into the JD/PhD program.

          Does my admission to one program have any effect on admission to the other program?

          The Faculty Admissions Committee at each school makes its admissions decisions independently and without knowledge of the decision on the other application.

          What if I'm only admitted to one program?

          Of the applicants who express an interest in the JD/PhD program and are subsequently offered admission, most are admitted to only one program, either the JD program at Columbia Law School or the PhD program at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applicants who are admitted to only one program may accept admission to that program.

          I would like to pursue the JD/PhD program, but the department in which I would like to earn my PhD isn't listed above. Can I create my own program?

          All degree programs must be approved by both Columbia University and the State of New York; accordingly, it is not possible for a student to design a custom JD/PhD program.

            Contact Information

            Students may obtain further information about application for admission to the program by contacting the following offices: