About PhD Program,
Vanderbilt Law School’s Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is unlike any other. Dual-degree students pursue a J.D. and a Ph.D. concurrently in a fully integrated curriculum that combines economic theory and methodology with the study of law. The program is designed so that students complete both degrees in just 6 years. Admitted students receive a full funding package, including tuition for both degrees and a competitive annual stipend, for all 6 years of study.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
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.
Students admitted to the dual-degree program 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.
Applicants to the J.D./Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics may be eligible to apply to the Law School with their GRE scores only in lieu of an LSAT score. Individuals must not have taken the LSAT in the last five years and must not take the LSAT in the current admission cycle in order to apply through the GRE-Only pathway. Other academic and score criteria must be met to be eligible to apply GRE-Only. Please read the Application Process instructions carefully for details.
PhD Funding Coverage,
At Vanderbilt, we are committed to controlling tuition costs, providing substantial scholarship assistance, and offering strategies and tools for students managing expenses, debt, and personal finances.
- Vanderbilt Law merit scholarships and need-based grants awarded in the admission process automatically renew each semester the recipient is enrolled in the Law School.
- Through the generosity of Vanderbilt Law alumni, the Law School provides innovative Access2VLS need-based grantsto entering J.D. students with the greatest financial need for tuition funding.
- Vanderbilt Law does not award conditional scholarships. Students must remain in good academic standing to retain their Law School scholarships or grants. Good academic standing requirements can be found in the Academic Regulations section of the Law School Catalog.
- Federal Direct Loans are available for tuition costs not covered by scholarships / grants as well as for living expenses.
- MAX, a comprehensive personal finance program created exclusively for law students by AccessLex, is available to our J.D. students free of charge throughout their time at Vanderbilt Law School.
- First-year orientation includes a “Strategies for Smart Borrowers” session with Dr. Jeffrey Hanson of Jeffrey Hanson Education Services.
Application Requirement,
Complete the Graduate Program Online Application
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
Standardized Test Scores
Indicate Dual-Degree Application
Personal Statement
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
The Graduate School application fee is $95.00.
