fully funded phd programs in law usa for international students

Coordinated JD/PhD Program

Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Coordinated JD/PhD Program is designed for students interested in completing interdisciplinary work at Harvard University and is founded on the belief that students’ legal studies and their arts and sciences graduate studies can be mutually enriched through this pursuit. Students completing the coordinated program receive a JD from Harvard Law School (HLS) and a PhD from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  (Harvard Griffin GSAS). It is expected that these students will be strong candidates for teaching posts at law schools and in arts and sciences programs, as well as for other positions in law and academia. Prospective students interested in the coordinated program may reach out to  HLS J.D. Admissions  and the  Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions  to learn more. Current and admitted students interested in the coordinated program are encouraged to contact  April Pettit , in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS for questions about the JD program, or  Dan Volchok , Assistant Dean of Student Success at Harvard Griffin GSAS for questions about the PhD programs.

Prospective students must separately apply to and be admitted to both HLS and a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD program in order to participate in the coordinated JD/PhD program.

• Students enrolled in HLS, but not yet admitted to Harvard Griffin GSAS, must apply to Harvard Griffin GSAS no later than the 2L year, meeting the Harvard Griffin GSAS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Students enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS, but not yet admitted to HLS, should apply to HLS no later than the G3 year, meeting the HLS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Please see below for details about participation in the coordinated program for Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year.

Once admitted to both schools, students must submit a proposed Plan of Study to the coordinated program no later than October 1 of the academic year following admission to both schools. Students should submit the Plan of Study to April Pettit in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS.

Please note: Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply to and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year at Harvard Griffin GSAS must then separately apply to the coordinated program. The application to the coordinated program should include (1) a statement detailing the way in which the student plans to integrate his or her legal studies with his or her graduate studies including how work done at HLS will inform the dissertation work and vice versa; and (2) a letter of support from the primary Harvard Griffin GSAS advisor; and (3) the Plan of Study.

The JD/PhD committee will review the applications to determine admission to the coordinated program.

Students will be registered in only one School during any given semester/term. Pursuant to ABA rules, students must  complete all requirements for the JD degree within seven years of the date they first enroll in HLS ; they may graduate from HLS before completing the PhD. Students must have satisfactorily completed at least 16 half courses in their Harvard Griffin GSAS department to receive the PhD. Students in the coordinated program will have two primary faculty advisors, one at HLS and one at Harvard Griffin GSAS, who will jointly advise students.

Students will be expected to complete the first-year program, three upper-level fall or spring semesters, and two winter terms at HLS, for a total of five fall and spring semesters and three winter terms. In lieu of the sixth HLS semester generally required of JD students, students in the coordinated program may take a semester at Harvard Griffin GSAS, completing courses or dissertation work pre-approved by HLS, and equivalent to at least 10 HLS credits. This Harvard Griffin GSAS semester may be taken only after a student has matriculated at HLS and completed their entire first year of study there. Students and their faculty advisors will determine the most appropriate sequencing for each student’s course of study, keeping in mind the HLS course, credit, and residency requirements for this program.

Course and Credit Requirements

First-year program.

The first year at HLS consists of (1) Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legislation and Regulation, Property, and Torts; (2) First-year Legal Research and Writing; (3) January Experiential Term; and (4) a spring upper-level elective at HLS of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 classroom credits.

Upper-Level Years

Credit and residency requirements.

Students must earn no fewer than 52 credits beyond the first year, including 36 HLS classroom credits. Classroom credits include those connected to courses, seminars and reading groups, but not writing or clinical credits. The 36 required classroom credits also include the required minimum of two credits to satisfy the Professional Responsibility Requirement and credits from the required winter terms (provided that the course chosen offers classroom credits). Of the remaining 16 required HLS credits, a maximum of ten are earned through courses or tutorials taken in Harvard Griffin GSAS and/or for dissertation writing (see below). Note that students must have their advisor’s approval before engaging in a semester of Harvard Griffin GSAS dissertation writing that is expected to count toward the HLS credit requirements . The remaining six required HLS credits may be earned in classroom, writing or clinical courses.

While at HLS, students must be enrolled in a minimum of ten total credits each semester in HLS or Harvard Griffin GSAS, with no fewer than eight of these being HLS classroom credits toward the requirement of 36 HLS classroom credits.

Winter Term Requirement

Students also must enroll in the HLS winter term two times during their upper-level years in the program. Each of the winter terms must follow a fall term enrollment or precede a spring term enrollment at HLS. Students may register for a course of two or three credits. JD/PhD students will be permitted to spend one of the winter terms in the HLS Winter Writing Program, provided they are engaged in written work for HLS credit according to the rules of that program.

Written Work Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the JD Written Work Requirement. Students are permitted to satisfy the requirement with a portion of their dissertation, provided this work meets HLS standards for written work. However, any portion of the dissertation counted toward the JD Written Work Requirement cannot also be used as part of the 10 HLS-equivalent credits earned during a student’s Harvard Griffin GSAS semester. Further information about the J.D. Written Work Requirement and the Winter Term Writing Program is available from the HLS Registrar’s Office .

Pro Bono Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the  HLS Pro Bono Requirement  of 50 hours of public service.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of two years of full-time study in residence is required for all PhD programs in the Harvard Griffin GSAS. During the period of registration at HLS, coordinated JD/PhD students will have “study-at-another-Harvard-school” status in Harvard Griffin GSAS.

Structure of Academic Work

Students will ordinarily be enrolled for at least four years (8 terms) in Harvard Griffin GSAS. They must complete at least 16 half courses to receive their PhD. Students may cross-register for a limited number of Harvard Griffin GSAS courses during their upper-level terms at HLS. Depending on the Harvard Griffin GSAS department, these courses may count toward the PhD. However, JD/PhD students may count a maximum of 10 credits from Harvard Griffin GSAS coursework or dissertation writing toward the JD. Therefore, students planning to spend a semester enrolled at Harvard Griffin GSAS taking courses or writing the dissertation for which they will earn 10 HLS credits may not also count cross-registered Harvard Griffin GSAS courses toward the JD.

General Examinations

In most departments, once having completed the required coursework, students must pass a general examination or other preliminary or qualifying examinations before undertaking independent research on a dissertation. Normally, when the nature of the field and previous preparation permit, students should pass these examinations by the end of the second year of full-time academic residence.

PhD Dissertation

The student’s dissertation prospectus must be approved by the department. A student who wishes to present as a dissertation a published article, series of articles, book or other document, or a manuscript that has been accepted for publication, must have the approval of the department concerned. In no case, however, may a dissertation be presented that has already been submitted toward another degree, either at Harvard or elsewhere. The Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must be signed by at least three readers approved by the student’s department, two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). FAS emeriti (including research professors) and faculty members from other schools at Harvard who hold appointments on GSAS degree committees are authorized to sign the Dissertation Acceptance Certificates as FAS members. GSAS strongly recommends that the chair of the dissertation committee be a member of FAS. The third reader may be a member of the HLS faculty.

Requirement of Satisfactory Status

Continuous registration, a satisfactory grade record, and evidence that satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree are required of all candidates for graduate degrees offered by FAS. All students in Harvard Griffin GSAS must be making satisfactory progress in order to be eligible for any type of financial aid and teaching. The following five provisions are the general definition of satisfactory progress during registration in Harvard Griffin GSAS:

• During the first two years of graduate study any student who has completed expected requirements is considered to be making satisfactory progress.
• In each of the first two years, a student must have achieved the minimum grade-point average required by the faculty, a B average. (see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies: Grade and Examination Requirements ).
• By the end of the third year, a student must have passed general examinations or the departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fourth year, a student must have obtained approval of a dissertation prospectus or its departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fifth year and each subsequent year during which a student is allowed to register, they must have produced at least one acceptable chapter of the dissertation.

For more information about satisfactory progress, please see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies .

Other Requirements

Ordinarily, programs will have a language requirement and an expectation of teaching. Students should consult with their Harvard Griffin GSAS departments for more information about these requirements.

There are a number of possible academic schedules for students pursuing both degrees. Three sequences are outlined below, but students may propose alternative sequences. In considering their courses of study, students should be aware that their financial aid packages might be affected at the school in which they defer enrollment.

Year 1: HLS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: HLS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: HLS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: HLS Year 6: 1st term, HLS Year 6: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: HLS Year 2: HLS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Updated Plans of Study

By October 1 each year, current JD/PhD students should submit an updated Plan of Study to April Pettit, in the HLS Office of Academic Affairs.

Other Academic Information

Faculty advising.

Students in the program will have primary faculty advisors at both HLS and at Harvard Griffin GSAS. If possible, HLS faculty advisors should be selected before the completion of the 2L year. The HLS faculty advisor must sign off on any dissertation writing a student expects to use for JD credit. In some Harvard Griffin GSAS departments, the director of graduate studies serves as the faculty advisor during the first two years of study. Faculty advisors will supervise students’ academic work, advise students on their courses of study and on specific classes appropriate for their PhD work, and approve the courses of study for their students on an annual basis. If appropriate, the HLS advisor will be the third reader on the student’s dissertation committee, with at least two readers required to be members of FAS.

Leaving the JD/PhD Program

If a student fails to make adequate progress toward the PhD, the student’s faculty advisors will be permitted to withdraw the student from the program. In such cases, in order to receive the JD degree, a student will still need to meet the graduation and credit requirements for the JD degree.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Harvard law school.

Students must pay five semesters of full tuition. Students will be eligible for HLS financial aid for all semesters during which they pay tuition to HLS. For more information on Financial Aid, visit the Student Financial Services Financial Aid webpage .

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The minimum financial requirement for the PhD is at least four terms of full tuition followed by two years of reduced tuition and a facilities fee unless the degree is completed in less than four years. The financial aid awarded upon admission to the PhD program is available during those terms in which the student is enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should refer to their notice of financial support provided by their department upon admission to Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should consult with their GSAS departments for more information.

Administrative Information

The HLS Registrar’s Office, the FAS Registrar’s Office, the GSAS Assistant Dean of Student Success, the HLS Associate Director of Academic Affairs, and the appropriate financial aid officers, will coordinate on students’ registration status and updated plans of study.

Housing and Student Life

GSAS and HLS will work together to ensure that the student services offered by both Schools are available to JD/PhD students during all their years in the Coordinated Program, including career and counseling offices, financial aid offices, student centers, and alumni offices. Students in the coordinated program will have email accounts at both schools throughout the program. Disability services and visa requirements will be coordinated on a case-by-case basis by the HLS Dean of Students and Registrar and by the Harvard Griffin GSAS Assistant Dean for Student Success. Students may apply for housing through either School for the years in which they are enrolled for at least one semester/term at both Schools. In all other years, students must apply for housing to the School in which they are enrolled.

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Ph.D. Program Details

Why a Ph.D. in Law?   •   Course of Study   •   Placement and Support on the Law Teaching Market   •   Tuition and Financial Aid

Why a Ph.D. in Law?

In addition to offering an opportunity to study and contribute to the evolution of law as an academic field of study, the Ph.D. in Law program provides an excellent pathway to a career in legal scholarship and law teaching. Whether it is right for any individual candidate depends on a variety of factors. If you are trying to decide between the Ph.D. in Law program and a fellowship or a visiting assistant professorship (VAP), you should keep in mind a number of considerations, including that the Ph.D. in Law program is a three-year course of study beyond the J.D. and that it provides a more structured program—including coursework, qualifying exams, and close faculty supervision—than do most fellowships or VAPs. The Ph.D. in Law program requires coursework, a written and an oral comprehensive exam, a dissertation—which may take the form of a traditional monograph or three law review articles—and teaching experience. You should also consider the availability of appropriate mentors in different programs. At Yale Law School, you will have a three-member faculty committee advising you throughout your time in the Ph.D. program, and you will have an opportunity to work closely with a wide range of Yale faculty in your courses and in your research and writing. In addition, you will have the opportunity to engage fully in the intellectual life of Yale Law School and Yale University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

If you are trying to decide between the Ph.D. in Law and a Ph.D. in another discipline, many of the same considerations come into play. Please keep in mind that Ph.D. programs in economics, political science, history, and other fields train scholars to produce research responsive to the questions central to those disciplines. The scholarship produced by law faculties—and expected of candidates for teaching positions at law schools—is largely motivated by different sets of questions. While many students are able to apply their training in other disciplines to the study of law, a significant advantage of the Ph.D. in Law program is that it is designed specifically to prepare students for careers in legal scholarship, rather than in scholarship in another field. We should also stress that the Ph.D. in Law program welcomes applications from candidates with interdisciplinary research interests—significant advanced training in other disciplines as a part of the Ph.D. in Law program is encouraged, where appropriate.

Course of Study

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Law program should know the area of law in which they would like to specialize and should be prepared to articulate that interest in a research proposal. Applicants’ research proposals, however, are not expected to be as refined as a dissertation prospectus, and it is anticipated that the nature of students’ projects and interests will evolve over their time in the program. Each student will have a faculty Advisory Committee, which will work with the student to develop the research project into a dissertation prospectus and, eventually, a dissertation—which may take the form of three significant, publishable articles that might appear in a leading law review, or a single, book-length manuscript.

The First Year

Most students will dedicate much of their first year in the program to coursework. Students will work with their Advisory Committees to select as many as six courses that will best prepare them to carry out their research projects. In cases where students have already completed relevant graduate training, their Advisory Committees may waive up to four of the six required courses.

All first-year Ph.D. candidates will be required to take a two-semester pro-seminar on legal scholarship and methodologies. The first semester of this pro-seminar will be dedicated to reading and discussing canonical works of legal scholarship. The second semester will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of student papers in a workshop format. The pro-seminar, required of all Ph.D. candidates, will be the cornerstone of a genuine intellectual and professional community, serving as well as an opportunity for students working in different areas of law to interact with and to learn from each other and from the faculty leading these and other seminars and workshops.

During their second semester, all Ph.D. candidates will complete the first of two qualifying examinations. The pro-seminar will constitute the primary preparation for this first, written, examination. During their second semester and first summer in the program, students will also work with their Advisory Committees to prepare for a second qualifying exam in their area of specialization. Unlike the first qualifying exam, which measures the breadth of a candidate’s knowledge, the second is an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the candidate’s area of specialization. The second qualifying exam will be conducted orally by the candidate’s Advisory Committee members and ordinarily will be administered at the beginning of the third semester in the program.

The Second Year

After passing the second qualifying exam, candidates will assemble a faculty Dissertation Committee. This committee often will—but does not have to—include the same faculty members who served on the candidate’s initial Advisory Committee. In their second year, students will work with their Dissertation Committees to bring their dissertation prospectus to fruition. The dissertation itself is expected to take the form of either a book-length manuscript or three publishable law review articles; it will usually constitute a portfolio of writing which students can use on the job market. Once the dissertation prospectus is approved, students are expected to spend the remainder of their time in the program, including summers, researching and writing the dissertation.

Each candidate in the Ph.D. in Law program also will gain training and experience in teaching, and will be required to participate in two semester-long teaching experiences. There will be a number of ways in which students may fulfill the teaching requirement. These may include (1) serving as a teaching assistant for a Law School course; (2) serving as a teaching assistant for a course in Yale College or another school at Yale; (3) co-teaching a class with a Yale Law School faculty member; (4) leading a Yale Law School Reading Group course; (5) teaching an independent seminar in one of the Yale Residential Colleges; or, (6) in unusual situations, teaching their own course. In all cases, students completing their teaching requirements will have faculty supervision, as well as close contact with and feedback from their advisors. The particular teaching assignment and the timing of this requirement will be determined by the candidate in consultation with his or her Advisory and/or Dissertation Committee, but ordinarily candidates will complete the first of their teaching requirements in the second semester of the second year of the program.

The Third Year

Those students interested in pursuing a career as a professor of law generally should expect to go on the job market during their third year in the program. Ph.D. candidates will be offered access to the same wide range of support in this endeavor as Yale Law School currently provides to its students, alumni, and fellows who enter the law teaching market. Students will otherwise devote the third year to completing their dissertation and, in many cases, completing a second teaching experience. Students will generally be expected to complete the program after three years, but requests to extend the course of study beyond three years will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, funding may be limited.

Placement and Support on the Law Teaching Market

Yale Law School has enjoyed tremendous success in helping its students secure law teaching positions. The Law School often places 25-40 of its graduates in tenure-track positions at law schools each year. Despite its relatively small size, Yale Law School has produced approximately ten percent of all professors currently teaching in American law schools. A recent study found that of the 189 faculty at the top sixteen law schools who had received their J.D. in the preceding fifteen years, a plurality—80 professors—graduated from Yale Law School. Many deans at law schools across the country and around the world also are Yale graduates.

The Law School provides comprehensive support to all its students, alumni, and fellows, guiding them through all stages of the legal teaching job market. Ph.D. in Law candidates enjoy access to the full range of support services currently available to Yale Law School students, alumni, and fellows.

For more information, consult the Law Teaching Program’s website .

Tuition and Financial Aid

Ph.D. in Law candidates will receive a full-tuition fellowship and a living stipend at an amount set by the Graduate School, Yale Basic Health coverage, and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and specialty coverage. Financial support is conditioned on the student's making satisfactory academic progress. The Ph.D. in Law program is administered jointly by the Graduate School and the Law School. More information on financial aid and the cost of living in New Haven can be found on the Graduate School's  website .

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• School of Law

Ph.D. in Law

The Ph.D. in Law prepares graduates for global leadership in the judiciary, academia, business and government. Since 1966, the program has offered a select number of diverse students the opportunity to attain their highest professional aspirations and career goals. A preeminent center for interdisciplinary legal studies, UW Law offers a global focus and innovative approach to integrating legal scholarship within the humanities and social sciences, medicine and global health, business and technology, and environmental and public policy.

The Ph.D. program is designed to provide a rich and thorough foundation in research methodologies, jurisprudence, legal theory, policy, dissertation preparation and ready access to specialized elective coursework from within the law school and university-wide research centers, institutes and schools. Throughout the program, our graduate students receive individualized attention from exceptional faculty and staff.

With its long and respected history, the Ph.D. program provides students with a global alumni network. Alumni are committed supporters and mentors and lead in many sectors around the world.

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of three years’ study, at least two years of which are comprised of coursework taken while in residence at the UW. Ph.D. candidates must complete 90 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must be taken at the UW including a minimum of 27 dissertation credits. Some of the credits earned in an LL.M. program may be counted among the 60 credits.

Doctoral dissertation committees are led by faculty experts from UW Law and include members with deep knowledge and expertise from across the university. Students can customize their studies with interdisciplinary coursework, independent study, field research, global internships and externships.

See full curriculum

• Current Ph.D.s in Law
• PhD Admissions

Related Links

Graduate Programs, UW School of Law William H. Gates Hall Box 353020 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195-3020, USA gradlaw@ uw .edu

• International Law

International Law Scholarships for International Students

Here is the list of International Law scholarships for International students 2024 - 2025. Please check out following scholarships below.

Flinders University Australian Government RTP Scholarships (AGRTPS) 2024

• Partial Funding up to $33,990
• Flinders University
• Research, Masters, PhD
• All Subjects
• International Students

This is a Research, Masters, PhD All Subjects scholarships for International Students at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for Flinders University Australian Government RTP Scholarships (AGRTPS) 2024.

Finland Government Scholarships 2025 (Study in Finland)

• Partial Funding
• Finland Universities
• Bachelor, Masters, PhD

This is a Bachelor, Masters, PhD All Subjects scholarships for International Students at Finland Universities, , Finland. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for Finland Government Scholarships 2025 (Study in Finland).

Shaanxi Normal University Xian Belt and Road Scholarship 2024 in China

• Shaanxi Normal University

This is a Bachelor, Masters, PhD All Subjects scholarships for International Students at Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for Shaanxi Normal University Xian Belt and Road Scholarship 2024 in China.

UNSW Graduate Scholarships 2024 in Australia

• University of New South Wales
• Masters, PhD

This is a Masters, PhD All Subjects scholarships for International Students at University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for UNSW Graduate Scholarships 2024 in Australia.

UCL Global Masters Scholarship 2024-2025 in UK (Partial Funding up to £15,000)

• Partial Funding up to £15,000
• University College London

This is a Masters All Subjects scholarships for International Students at University College London, London, UK. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for UCL Global Masters Scholarship 2024-2025 in UK (Partial Funding up to £15,000).

Swansea University Scholarships for International Students 2024/2025 in UK

• Swansea University
• Postgraduate

This is a Postgraduate All Subjects scholarships for International Students at Swansea University, Swansea, UK. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for Swansea University Scholarships for International Students 2024/2025 in UK.

University of Dundee Vice Chancellor Scholarships January 2025 in Scotland UK

• University of Dundee
• Postgraduate, Undergraduate
• UK, Scotland

This is a Postgraduate, Undergraduate All Subjects scholarships for International Students at University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, Scotland. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for University of Dundee Vice Chancellor Scholarships January 2025 in Scotland UK.

University of Dundee Scotland UK Scholarships 2024

• Undergraduate, Postgraduate
• International Students, Domestic Students

This is a Undergraduate, Postgraduate All Subjects scholarships for International Students, Domestic Students at University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, Scotland. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for University of Dundee Scotland UK Scholarships 2024.

Yunnan University Scholarships 2024 in China

• Partial Funding, Fully Funded
• Yunnan University

This is a Bachelor, Masters, PhD scholarships for International Students at Yunnan University, Kunming, China. Students interested in are advised to apply for Yunnan University Scholarships 2024 in China.

Sejong University Graduate Scholarships in South Korea 2024

• Sejong University
• South Korea

This is a Masters, PhD scholarships for International Students at Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea. Students interested in are advised to apply for Sejong University Graduate Scholarships in South Korea 2024.

Merieux Foundation - IRD Joint PhD Scholarship 2024

• Partial Funding (Funding Up to €50,000)
• France Universities

This is a PhD scholarships for International Students at France Universities, , France. Students interested in are advised to apply for Merieux Foundation - IRD Joint PhD Scholarship 2024.

University of Pittsburgh Boren Scholarships Fall/Spring/Summer 2025-2026

• University of Pittsburgh
• Undergraduate
• Domestic Students

This is a Undergraduate scholarships for Domestic Students at University of Pittsburgh, , USA. Students interested in are advised to apply for University of Pittsburgh Boren Scholarships Fall/Spring/Summer 2025-2026.

Bocconi University Scholarships 2024 in Italy

• Tuition fee
• Bocconi University
• Undergraduate, Masters

This is a Undergraduate, Masters All Subjects scholarships for International Students at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Students interested in All Subjects are advised to apply for Bocconi University Scholarships 2024 in Italy.

University of Sydney Australian Government RTP Scholarships 2024/2025

• Fully Funded
• University of Sydney

This is a Postgraduate scholarships for International Students at University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia. Students interested in are advised to apply for University of Sydney Australian Government RTP Scholarships 2024/2025.

UNICAF Scholarships 2024/2025 (for BS, MS and PhD)

• UK Universities, USA Universities, Africa Universities European Universities
• UK, USA, Africa, Europe

This is a Bachelor, Masters, PhD scholarships for International Students at UK Universities, USA Universities, Africa Universities, , UK, USA, Africa, Europe. Students interested in are advised to apply for UNICAF Scholarships 2024/2025 (for BS, MS and PhD).

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How to Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

Target law schools with human rights law clinics and journals, as well as a broad selection of relevant courses.

Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

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An introductory course on human rights law is a start, but a good human rights law program should have a variety of related course offerings.

Key Takeaways:

• Look for more than an introductory course on human rights law.
• Find out what law faculty know and are doing that's relevant.
• Find out what the school's students specializing in human rights law do after graduating.

Clinical opportunities, quality professors and active student organizations are important criteria when choosing a law school with a solid human rights program, experts say, and students should carefully research programs to find their best fit.

The Human Rights Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law "played a major role in my decision of where to attend law school,” says Gita Howard, a human rights attorney who graduated from the Florida law school in 2021.

Howard’s initial interest in pursuing international human rights law was formed during the many summers she spent in India growing up. She says she developed a nuanced understanding of global issues and a drive to create a positive global impact.

“International human rights law seemed like a tangible and meaningful way to pursue my passion for social change.”

Finding a strong human rights law program is important to prepare students for a successful career as a human rights lawyer, experts say. Here are the top features they say students should be looking for in a program.

A Broad Selection of Human Rights Law Courses

An introductory course on human rights law is a start, but a good human rights law program should have a variety of related course offerings, experts say.

Prospective students should research whether the program offers courses “on the full spectrum of international human rights law,” says Diane A. Desierto, professor of law and global affairs at the University of Notre Dame Law School in Indiana, where she also is faculty director of the LL.M. in International Human Rights Law and founding director of the Global Human Rights Clinic.

Such courses should include civil, political, economic, social, cultural, developmental, environmental and labor topics, “as well as the frontier courses on the expanding applications of international human rights law across public law and private law ,” she says.

Desierto says students should also find out whether a program offers legal and interdisciplinary methods, as well as theoretical and experiential opportunities to gain expertise in international human rights law.

Experienced Human Rights Law Faculty

Other features to look for in a program are faculty actively working on human rights law projects, faculty publishing human rights law papers and scholar-practitioners.

Notre Dame's program, for example, enables students “to customize their learning, training, and mentoring according to specific professional objectives across different forms of human rights law practice,” Desierto says. The small class sizes mean students have access to one-on-one mentoring and customized learning from different experts throughout the university and its global campuses abroad.

Students already in law school who want to specialize in human rights "should be researching which faculty are specializing in human rights in their scholarship and courses,” says Anna Ivey, founder of Ivey Consulting, which helps people apply to selective U.S. colleges and law schools.

An Impressive Job Attainment Record

Desierto says it's important to look into whether a program invests in the well-being and success of their students during and after graduation.

“Our program does this extensively during the student's matriculation into the program, as well as in supporting postgraduate clerkships and internships in international, regional and national courts and tribunals and organizations,” Desierto says. The program measures success by how its students "flourish and succeed in their work of striving for human rights outcomes in their respective countries and communities."

It's also important to find out whether alumni are working with major human rights institutions. Ivey recommends students check law schools' social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, "to see what alums work in the field to get a sense of the alumni network for that specialization.”

A Human Rights Clinic or Law Journal

Participating in a human rights law clinic or contributing to human rights law journals is important on the resumes of aspiring human rights lawyers, as positions in the field are competitive, experts say.

“Human rights clinics provide a really critical opportunity for students to develop their knowledge of human rights law, as well as practice the necessary skills to succeed in the field under the guidance of experts,” Howard says.

For example, the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Miami provides students with experiential learning opportunities in U.S. and international human rights litigation and advocacy, allowing students to work with the United Nations and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.

“Its inspiring professors and meaningful projects gave me the skills, support and network necessary to pursue a career in human rights law,” Howard says.

Apart from looking at whether a law school offers clinics or journals dedicated to human rights law, Ivey recommends looking at whether such a journal “hosts some kind of annual symposium on the topic.”

Other activities, such as participation in relevant student groups, are important, experts say. For example, Howard served as president and co-founder of the Human Rights Society, an advocacy organization at her school.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Law school can be expensive and human rights law may not pay as well as other law specialties, so scholarship opportunities are an important consideration, experts say.

Experts say a law school’s investment in human rights law can be seen in scholarships offered to students in the discipline. Students can check a school's website for scholarship information. Notre Dame's program typically provides full scholarships for 15 to 20 students, Desierto says.

There are also fellowships available during and after law school. Twice, Howard was a HOPE Fellow, receiving funding to pursue public interest summer jobs while in law school. She spent her first summer interning at the Tibetan Legal Association in Dharamsala, India, and her second summer as an intern for the U.N.'s Office of Legal Affairs in the general legal division.

“After law school, a common way to break into the human rights field is through a fellowship with a human rights organization,” Howard says.

Howard received a Human Rights Program Fellowship from her law school with a placement at Human Rights First, a nonprofit, nonpartisan international human rights organization. After her fellowship, she was brought on as an associate attorney. She notes that fellowship opportunities often require funding from a student's law school, as well.

“It can be helpful for students to research whether fellowship funding is currently or potentially available at a prospective law school,” Howard says.

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PhDs in Human Rights (Fully Funded)

If you are interested in pursuing your academic career in human rights, there are Universities that offer a variety of funding and financial assistance opportunities for prospective PhD students. Fully funded opportunities are allocated through an university or external funds. Depending on the program, scholarships cover full tuition costs, living expenses and monthly stipends. The following is an overview of 5 fully-funded PhDs in human rights.

International Joint PhD Programme “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance”

“Human Rights Society and Multi-level governance” is a three-year doctoral joint academic program with interdisciplinary approach. It is coordinated by University of Padova in Italy in partnership with Universities in Australia, Croatia and Cyprus. The goal of this doctorate program is to form researchers with multi-interdisciplinary profile. Thus, during the programme students will have an opportunity to implement various legal, political, social, philosophical and economic approaches and methodologies in the area of human rights.

While students carry out their research and attend courses at the University of first enrolment, they need to spend at least one semester at one of the partner Universities. During that time, they will be supervised by their mentor from the home University and co-mentor from host University, if the student desires to choose co-mentorship. Additionally, students will be required to do internships at both universities.

When applying, students need to send a research proposal together with other needed documents. If approved by the Academic board, the student will be admitted and then undertake his/her research during the next three years. The program includes teaching, courses (mandatory and free of choice), research and training within the area of human rights studies.

The call for admission to this PhD programme for the academic year 2020/2021 is now open! The deadline for submission of application is June 16 th 2020 by 1 pm Italian time. The first preselection meeting of the Evaluating Commission will be held on 6 th July 2020 and by the 8 th of July the Commission will publish the results of the of evaluation qualifications on the following website. In order to be admitted to the examination, the candidate must get a score of at least 7/10 in the preselection.

More information regarding the fees and scholarships can be found on the University of Padova website. Generally, students can apply for full-tuition funding through their home university, while other types of funding are available as well at the Western Sydney University in Australia, Zagreb University Faculty of Law in Croatia, Panteion University – Athens in Greece and University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights – University of Bristol

This program is one of the five South West Doctoral Training Partnership interdisciplinary programs, provided in partnership with the Universities of Bath and Exeter. The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights aims at delivering traditional approaches of the security and conflict discourse, together with interdisciplinary perspectives on protection of human rights. Therefore, students are required to articulate clearly their proposed research which must be interdisciplinary in nature.

This PhD program equips researchers and responds directly to challenges. As the focus is put on interdisciplinary, students are required within their proposal to clearly and substantively articulate how and in what ways the proposed research is interdisciplinary in nature. The offer of a place to the program depends on the availability of co-supervision from two staff members from different disciplines, in relation to the student’s proposal. Students are required to identify this in the ‘proposed supervisor’ section of their application.

When it comes to the funding and fees, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law allocates 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships, while students can also apply for other types of funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund. Funding is quite competitive and it is available for exceptional research proposals. The tuition fee is $20,152 per year for international students and $5,441 for EU or EEA citizens. However, University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a ten per cent reduction in tuition feels for postgraduate study. The application deadline is not fixed for students who wish to apply as self-funded, while the closing date for ESRC scholarships is usually open until the end of January.

The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human rights equips students for a number of different careers. During the years, the students got employment in areas of academia, international security, development and conflict issues, and they have worked as policy researchers, consultants, policy civil servants or the military.

Human Rights PhD – University of Sussex

This PhD program in Human rights goes beyond a narrow legalistic approach. Admitted students are supposed to work under the supervision of faculty experts, while focusing on human rights area in the fields of poverty, violence, identity, globalization, the emergence of global forms of governance etc. Duration of this PhD program is 4 years if enrolled full time or 6 years if enrolled part time. Students may also choose when they want to start – in September, January or May.

In order to apply, prospective students need to write an outline research proposal four to five pages long, stating the nature, ambition, research questions and the methodology of a research proposal. On the website of the University instructions on how to write a research proposal can be found.

Students can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. These degrees are different in duration and in the extent of research work. The PhD requires research work that will make a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in a chosen field, whereas for an MPhil, student’s work is considered to be an independent piece of research but in less depth compared to PhD. Students graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy and are able to change to a PhD while studying for an MPhil.

University of Sussex offers various types of scholarships and interested students should check application deadlines for funding opportunities.

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics – Scuola Superiore Sant’ Anna

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics is considered to be strongly interdisciplinary, aiming at providing the knowledge which will enable students to carry out systematic academic research and make them professionals in the field of human rights. After three-year’s program, doctoral students can undertake career within international, national and regional entities, both in private and public sectors. When writing an application, prospective students need to indicate main and complementary research area, choosing between Political Philosophy, Public International Law, Agri-food and Agri-environmental Law and Political Economy. They are strongly advised to explore the website pages of these faculties and research profiles of faculty members and prospective supervisors.

Deadline for application to this PhD program is 4 th June 2020 by 12:00 Rome time. The number of positions eligible for scholarships is four and amongst four scholarships available, two are reserved for students with an academic title earned from a non-Italian University. Application requires research proposal written by following specified guidelines. If admitted, doctoral students will carry out the research during the next three years.

There are no positions opened for self-funded students. Admitted students will receive monthly stipend and all fees covered. The Program accepts application from all over the world, while one or more places are usually reserved for students residing outside European Union. For further information about application process, fees and funding visit the official website.

PhD in Human Rights – Centre for Applied Human Rights – University of York

The University of York offers full funded PhD program in Human rights within its Centre for Applied Human Rights. The Centre undertakes researches on various topics – human rights defenders, human rights practice, human rights and development, legal empowerment, refugee law and policy, responsibility to protect, transitional justice etc. PhD program is supported by the Department of Politics and York Law School and inter-departmental Development and Conflict Working Group and York Law School’s Socio-Legal Research group as well. Besides regular courses, Centre often organizes lectures, workshops and conferences on the topic of human rights issues.

Interested students are invited to make online application, choosing the option of “PhD in Politics” or the “PhD in Law”, depending on their preferences. Potential supervisor should also be stated during the application. Finally, draft dissertation proposal should be submitted following the template provided on the website.

There are different funding opportunities for students who have been accepted into the program. Both University of York and external funders offer financial assistance. There are also part-time employment opportunities as tutors or lecturers. Potential scholarship opportunities and other forms of assistance are discusses with students who have been admitted. Nevertheless, students should keep in mind that many scholarships have early application deadlines.

During past few years, the Centre has successfully nominated and advocated on behalf of prospective students for an awarded and ESRC scholarship funding. In the case of UK students, this funding covers tuition and provides a basic stipend. For international students, this funding is limited and usually covers a certain percentage of tuition. Nevertheless, students seeking funding should apply early in the academic year since ESRC funding decisions are by April. Therefore, to be considered for funding, students should submit their applications by the end of January.

List of Fully Funded Masters Scholarships in USA 2024

Do you want to start your study adventure in USA? Good news! A number of fully funded scholarships are available in United States of America for international students. In this article we will explain in detail about fully funded scholarships offered in top universities in USA, their benefits and step by step application process.

More than 1500 fully funded masters scholarships 2024-2025 are available at USA’s top universities for international students. These scholarships provide an average monthly stipend of $1000 along with tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Apply for fully funded scholarships and fulfill your dream of studying at world top universities like Yale University USA, Harvard University USA, Clark University, Boise State University, Berea College and many more.

1.  Fulbright Scholarships USA

Fulbright Scholarships are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are only offered for masters and PhD studies. Fulbright Foreign Student Program covers full tuition fee, a living stipend, full accommodation fee, airfare and health insurance.

• Institution:  USA Universities
• Level of Study:  Masters / PhD
• Click here for deadlines and a step-by-step application process.

2.  Stanford University Scholarships

Stanford University Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Masters and Ph.D. studies. This scholarship is offering full tuition fees, traveling allowance, Living allowance, and academic expenses.

• Institution:  Stanford University

3.  Yale University Scholarships USA

Yale University Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for undergraduate, masters and PhD. Yale Scholarship can vary from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year; the average Yale need-based scholarship is over $50,000.

• Institution: Yale University
• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters / PhD

4. University of New Haven Scholarship

University of New Haven Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is only offered for masters studies. This scholarship will provide an experiential learning and work opportunity for the entirety of their graduate program, 75% of tuition assistance and an hourly wage

• Institution: University of New Haven
• Level of Study: Masters

5. University of Memphis Scholarships

University of Memphis Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for undergraduate and masters studies. The scholarship amounts vary and cover the difference in cost of international and domestic non-Tennessee resident tuition rates.

• Institution: University of Memphis
• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters 

6. University of Minnesota Fellowship

University of Minnesota Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Masters   studies. This scholarship offers Full tuition cost, Living expenses, Travel and health insurance.

• Institution: University of Minnesota

7. AAUW International Fellowship Program

AAUW Fellowship Program is a fully funded scholarship. This scholarship is offered by The American Association of University Women , USA. International students from all world countries are eligible to apply. This scholarship is only available for graduate and post graduate studies in any subject offered by university. AAUW Fellowship Program covers $18,000 to $30,000 per year, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal. 

• Institution: The American Association of University Women
• Level of Study: Masters/ PhD / Postdoctoral
• Click here for Deadlines and a step-by-step Application process.

8. ACI Foundation Scholarship

ACI Foundation Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship or fellowship for international students. This scholarship is offered for undergraduate, masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral studies. This scholarship provides $10,000 – $15,000 US educational stipend for tuition, residence, books, and materials.

• Institution: ACI Foundation
• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters / PhD / Postdoctoral 

9. Onsi Sawiris Scholarship

The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship program is a fully funded undergraduate and masters scholarship for international students. This scholarship covers full tuition, a living allowance, travel, and health insurance.

• Institution: Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Harvard University, The University of Pennsylvania.
• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters

10. Rotary Peace Fellowship Program

The Rotary Peace Fellowships are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are only offered for masters and PhD studies. The Rotary Peace Fellowships Program covers t uition and fees, r oom and board, r ound-trip transportation, and a ll internship and field-study expenses.

• Institution: Universities in the below countries
• Study in: USA, Japan, UK, Australia, Sweden, Thailand
• Level of Study: Masters/ Certificate Studies