About PhD Program,
J.S.D. candidates conduct original research into specific legal topics of individual interest while deepening their understanding of American domestic law, international law, and comparative law, particularly in areas in which Cornell’s faculty is world renowned.
Cornell Law School offers a particularly rigorous and rewarding J.S.D. program.
In the first year, doctoral students are required to take the Cornell Graduate Colloquium, which focuses on effective research design and provides students with a solid methodological base for their research. Students are then actively encouraged to take graduate-level methodological courses in adjacent disciplines, such as history, political science, anthropology, economics, international relations, sociology, and the like. As a result, Cornell J.S.D. students are uniquely prepared to perform high-level academic work.
Unlike other law school programs, Cornell Law’s J.S.D. is conferred by Cornell University, not the Law School, and is comparable to a Ph.D. This makes the degree more rigorous as the J.S.D. program is run in accordance with Cornell’s Graduate School policies and typically provides J.S.D. candidates with full funding for three years.
Review the J.S.D. Field of Law Handbook for additional details.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
During your first year in residence, you must take an active part in one required course, the Cornell Graduate Colloquium, in which you will present your research in progress. In addition, you may be required by your Special Committee to take specific courses. Beyond this, no specific courses are required. However, you must meet certain requirements by the end of your first year of the J.S.D. program to be admitted to candidacy for the degree. A minimum of two semesters of residency at the Law School are required, though completion of the degree normally requires six to eight semesters (not necessarily all in residence).
You will work under the direction of a Special Committee of your choosing. Your committee chair and at least one other member must be members of both the Cornell Law School faculty and the Graduate School faculty in the field of law. At least three members must be members of the graduate faculty. Learn more about choosing your Special Committee here.
During your first year, your Special Committee chair may require that you successfully audit or complete specific courses or seminars deemed useful for your development as a scholar.
You must successfully submit and orally defend a dissertation prospectus before your Special Committee or Special Committee chair and at least one other member of the Graduate School faculty in the field of law. The prospectus, which must be completed before the end of the third semester, outlines in detail the structure, content, and methodology of your proposed dissertation.
To earn a J.S.D., you must pursue and complete with distinction the program of study and investigation as set forth in the prospectus, producing a dissertation that constitutes a significant contribution to legal scholarship. Following submission of the dissertation to your Special Committee, you must pass a final examination (usually on the subject matter of the dissertation) and any other examinations that the Special Committee requests. Following the examination and the Special Committee’s approval of the dissertation, you must submit the dissertation to the Graduate School of Cornell University.
Contact us to learn more or request a copy of our J.S.D. Field Handbook.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Fellowship Awards are provided to full-time students who are candidates for a J.S.D. primarily on the basis of scholastic ability and promise of achievement. Other sources of funding are encouraged and highly valued by both Cornell Law School and by future employers. The ability to obtain external funding is noted in a very positive light for a future career in academics.
The J.S.D. program typically takes three years to complete. Cornell Law School aims to provide a tuition waiver, living expense stipend, and health insurance premiums (if needed) to J.S.D. candidates in residence for three years, contingent on good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress. Support may come from a combination of fellowships and assistantships. The Law School does not guarantee funding beyond year three. The tuition waiver, living expense stipend, and health insurance premium amounts are determined by the Graduate School and/or Cornell Health. If a student has sufficient health insurance coverage, they must notify the GFA and submit a SHP waiver request to Cornell Health. Only upon denial of coverage will the Law School reinstate health insurance premiums. J.S.D. funding awards will not cover expenses such as CU student health fee, late fees, or any other fee you may incur.
Application Requirement,
All applications must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
The completed Cornell Law School J.S.D. Application form and supporting documents include:
- Résumé/C.V.: All applicants are required to submit a resume or c.v. detailing any applicable work history, educational achievements, community and/or service work.
- Statement of interest: A detailed personal statement of interest (approximately 750 words) is an essential part of the application. The statement should include a discussion of your purpose in obtaining the degree, as well as an explanation of your research and study interests in relation to your previous education and professional goals. Please include your full name on the top of each page of the statement of interest.
- Research proposal: A detailed and footnoted research proposal of no more than 3,000 words.
- Transcripts/degree certifications: Complete official transcripts of all previous college, university, and graduate/professional school study, including work done at Cornell. All applicants must register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service and utilize both the Document Assembly and International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Services.
- Letters of recommendation: The committee requires two letters of recommendation but will review a maximum of four letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted from faculty members or employers acquainted with your work in the major area of study. If you’ve graduated from school several years ago (two years of more), we would expect you to ask a current or recent employer who can comment on your work ethic and character. The committee is primarily interested in the recommender’s judgment about your academic abilities and professional capabilities.
- Demonstration of English proficiency: Proficiency in English is required for admission and your level of proficiency, as demonstrated by all aspects of the application, is a significant factor in our decision-making process. International applicants must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score.
Documents must be submitted in their original language; documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Only complete applications will be reviewed by our committee.
Application Deadline,
The deadline for all applications is May 1. 2025
Application fee:
Payment of the nonrefundable $80 (USD) application fee.
