University of Michigan

What you'll study

This programme centres on supervised, original research leading to a doctoral dissertation. Students take advanced seminars in legal theory and doctrine alongside training in empirical and qualitative research methods. Typical study components include:

• Research methods and epistemology — courses in quantitative methods, qualitative methods, legal interpretation, and evidence-gathering strategies appropriate to doctrinal, empirical, and comparative legal scholarship.
• Advanced legal seminars — focused seminars in areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, international law, criminology, regulatory design, health law, business and finance law, or human rights, tailored to the student’s dissertation topic.
• Interdisciplinary electives — coursework drawing on political science, economics, public policy, sociology, public health, or technology studies to situate legal questions in broader contexts.
• Teaching and professional development — opportunities for supervised teaching, pedagogy workshops, and academic career preparation.
• Qualifying assessments and dissertation milestones — comprehensive or qualifying examinations, a dissertation proposal defence, and the production and oral defence of an original dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong professional or academic law qualification (for example a JD, LLB plus equivalent graduate study, or an LLM) and to demonstrate prior research ability or potential. Typical requirements include:

• Academic transcripts showing high-level performance in previous degrees.
• A research statement or proposal outlining a clear, feasible dissertation topic and research plan.
• Letters of recommendation from academics or professional supervisors who can speak to research potential and scholarly promise.
• Evidence of relevant professional experience is advantageous for candidates pursuing applied or practice-oriented projects.
• Proficiency in English; international applicants normally provide evidence of language ability if their prior instruction was not in English.

Admissions decisions weigh the match between the applicant’s research interests and faculty expertise. Specific documentation and formal requirements are set by the Law School and Rackham Graduate School; applicants should consult programme advisers for current application components.

Career prospects

Graduates of this doctoral programme go on to a variety of roles that demand advanced research skills and deep legal knowledge. Common career paths include:

• Academic appointments in law schools and interdisciplinary departments, including teaching and research-track positions.
• Research roles in policy institutes, think tanks, and university research centres focused on law and public policy.
• Senior policy or research positions in government agencies, international organisations, and NGOs where legal expertise informs regulation and programme design.
• Leadership roles in legal education and professional training, including curriculum development and clinical programme direction.
• Consultancy and advisory roles for industry, professional bodies, or litigation teams requiring specialist legal research and analysis.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan combines a leading law school with broad interdisciplinary resources across campus. Students benefit from access to the Law Library’s extensive legal collections, dedicated research centres and institutes, and collaboration opportunities with departments such as public policy, economics, political science, and public health. Faculty supervision spans doctrinal, empirical, and comparative approaches, and doctoral candidates are supported through workshops, seminars, and a well-established graduate culture overseen by the Rackham Graduate School.

Ann Arbor’s academic community, strong clinical programmes, and connections to regional and national legal institutions create practical outlets for research impact, while structured teaching and professional development prepare graduates for careers in academia, policy, and high-level legal practice.