University of Tulsa

What you'll study

This PhD is a research-driven programme centring on an original doctoral dissertation. Candidates pursue a supervised programme of advanced study and research that typically includes training in comparative and international law, feminist and critical legal theories, and empirical and doctrinal research methods. Core research themes commonly explored by students include gender and human rights, comparative constitutional protections for gender equality, migration and gendered borders, transitional justice and gender-based violence, and the role of international institutions in shaping gender norms.

Although coursework requirements differ by individual research plans and supervisory arrangements, typical taught or seminar components emphasise:

• Comparative Law and Methodology – approaches to comparing legal systems, sources of law and transnational legal flows.
• International Human Rights Law – treaty regimes, enforcement mechanisms and gender-specific protections.
• Gender and Legal Theory – feminist jurisprudence, queer theory, intersectionality and critical race perspectives in law.
• Research Design and Methods – qualitative and quantitative methods, archival research, fieldwork ethics and data analysis for legal studies.
• Elective Seminars – areas such as migration law, criminal justice and gender-based violence, comparative constitutional law, administrative law and international criminal law.

The major piece of work is a sustained doctoral thesis that makes a substantive original contribution to scholarship. Students work closely with supervisors to develop a literature review, research plan, and to carry out fieldwork, comparative legal analysis, or doctrinal research as appropriate to their topic.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a strong first degree in law (JD, LLB) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (LLM or equivalent) with demonstrated research ability. Exceptional candidates with substantial professional legal experience and a well-developed research proposal may also be considered. Key application components include:

• Academic transcripts demonstrating high achievement at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Research proposal (typically 1,000–2,500 words) outlining the research question, methodology, literature review and an indication of feasibility.
• References – at least two academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant's research potential.
• Writing sample – a substantive piece of academic writing such as a thesis chapter, published article or extended essay.
• English language proficiency where English is not the applicant’s first language, demonstrated by an approved test or equivalent evidence of prior study in English.

All applicants will be assessed for an appropriate supervisory match; applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in the College of Law to discuss research interests before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates of a PhD in Law with this specialism typically move into academic careers as lecturers and researchers in law schools and interdisciplinary departments. Other common career paths include:

• Policy analysis and advisory roles in national governments or international organisations focused on human rights, gender equality and international law.
• Senior positions in non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups working on gender, refugee and human rights issues.
• Legal practice in specialised areas such as international human rights litigation, asylum and refugee law, or public interest law.
• Positions in think-tanks, research institutes and multilateral agencies conducting comparative legal research and policy development.

The doctoral training also prepares graduates for roles that require advanced analytical, research and communication skills, including consulting, grant-funded research projects and leadership roles within civil society.

Why study at University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa offers a personalised doctoral experience characterised by close supervision and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across law, social sciences and humanities. The College of Law fosters a collegial research environment where doctoral students can engage with faculty whose expertise covers international law, comparative legal systems and critical approaches to gender and law.

Students benefit from concentrated access to library and archival resources, support for fieldwork and conference travel, and a range of research training workshops. Tulsa’s size enables small seminars and regular scholarly exchange, while its location provides a relatively low-cost base for researchers who may be conducting comparative or international fieldwork. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review faculty research profiles and contact potential supervisors to discuss fit and available resources before applying.