Santa Clara University

What you'll study

While Santa Clara University does not offer a PhD in Law, doctoral-level research in gender, international and comparative law would normally centre on sustained, original scholarship. Typical doctoral research topics include comparative constitutional approaches to gender equality, international human rights frameworks for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, transnational migration and gendered harms, comparative family and reproductive law, and law and development from a gender perspective.

Core components you would expect from a research doctorate in this area include:

• Advanced seminars in feminist legal theory, international human rights law, and comparative public law.
• Methodology training in comparative legal research, quantitative and qualitative social science methods, and interdisciplinary approaches drawing on sociology, anthropology and gender studies.
• A sustained period of supervised research leading to a doctoral dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the fields of gender, international and comparative law.
• Opportunities for publishing peer-reviewed work, presenting at conferences, and participating in research networks that focus on human rights and comparative law.

Entry requirements

Because Santa Clara does not offer a PhD in Law, there are no programme-specific entry criteria to list. For institutions that do offer doctoral study in gender, international and comparative law, typical entry expectations include:

• A first degree in law (LL.B. or J.D.) and usually a relevant postgraduate degree such as an LL.M., MPhil or MA with a strong research component.
• A demonstrable research proposal outlining a clear, original doctoral project in the field and a feasible plan for completion under supervision.
• Excellent academic references and a record of strong performance in prior legal and/or interdisciplinary coursework.
• Evidence of research potential: publications, conference presentations, or relevant professional experience in legal practice, NGOs, international organisations or policy bodies.
• Required language proficiency where applicable (e.g. English tests for non-native speakers) and any additional language skills necessary for comparative research.

Career prospects

A PhD focused on gender, international and comparative law prepares graduates for a range of careers that foreground research, policy, advocacy and teaching. Common pathways include:

• Academic positions in law schools and interdisciplinary departments, including roles in teaching, research and supervision.
• Senior research roles in think‑tanks, policy institutes and research centres addressing gender, human rights and international law.
• Leadership and specialist legal roles in international organisations (e.g. United Nations agencies), regional human rights bodies, and major NGOs focused on gender justice, migration or development.
• Policy advisory and legislative reform work with governments or international coalitions developing gender‑sensitive legal frameworks.
• Advanced consultancy and independent research careers, including contributions to amicus briefs, international litigation, and comparative law projects.

Why study at Santa Clara University

Although Santa Clara does not offer a PhD in Law, the university and its School of Law provide several strengths that benefit students pursuing advanced study or research in gender, international and comparative law. Santa Clara is a Jesuit institution with a longstanding commitment to social justice and public interest work, which shapes clinic offerings and research priorities.

• Proximity to Silicon Valley and an interdisciplinary campus environment can be advantageous for research on technology, privacy and gendered impacts of emerging technologies.
• The law school offers practical clinic programmes and externships that enable students to gain hands‑on experience in immigration, community law, and public interest litigation—experience that complements advanced research interests in gender and international law.
• Faculty engagement with public interest law and the school’s emphasis on ethics and justice create mentoring opportunities for students preparing comparative or international research projects.
• Prospective doctoral candidates seeking formal PhD training are encouraged to explore related graduate offerings, pursue an LL.M. with a research focus, or arrange joint or external doctoral supervision through partner institutions, while taking advantage of Santa Clara’s research resources and clinical placements.

If you are specifically aiming for a PhD, contact Santa Clara Law admissions or faculty whose work aligns with your interests to discuss tailored pathways, visiting researcher opportunities, or recommended external doctoral programmes and collaborations.