Case Western Reserve University

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, rigorous research training and the completion of an original doctoral dissertation. Early years focus on foundational study in legal theory, comparative law and international law applied to gendered subjects. Typical coursework and module areas include:

• Feminist and Gender Legal Theory — histories and methods of feminist jurisprudence, intersectionality, queer legal theory and critical race perspectives.
• Comparative Constitutional and Administrative Law — comparative approaches to gender equality provisions, family law reform, and constitutional adjudication affecting gendered rights.
• International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law — women's rights, sexual and gender-based violence, refugee and migration law, and mechanisms of international accountability.
• Law and Social Science Methods — qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethnography, archival research, interview techniques, and comparative legal methodology.
• Specialist Seminars — thematic offerings such as gender and labour law, reproductive rights, transitional justice, gender and development, and global governance.
• Professional and Teaching Skills — preparation for academic careers through pedagogy seminars, grant-writing workshops and opportunities to teach or co-teach law courses.

Students are normally required to complete advanced seminars and research methods training, pass comprehensive exams or a qualifying assessment, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes a substantial original contribution to scholarship in gender, international or comparative law. The programme encourages interdisciplinary work and collaboration with faculty and centres across the university.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong graduate-level law degree such as a Juris Doctor (JD), Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) where applicable, LLM, or an equivalent master’s degree in law or a closely related discipline. Typical expectations include:

• A demonstrated record of high academic achievement in prior degree programmes.
• A clear research proposal outlining a feasible doctoral project in gender, international or comparative law and evidence of intellectual fit with programme faculty.
• Academic writing sample or dissertation chapter demonstrating research ability and legal analysis.
• Two or more academic references attesting to scholarly potential.
• Curriculum vitae showing relevant academic, research or professional experience.
• Proof of English-language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, where required by the university.

Admission is selective and dependent on the availability of appropriate supervisory support. Applicants are encouraged to identify and contact potential supervisors within the School of Law whose research interests align with their proposed topic before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Law with a focus on Gender, International & Comparative Law follow diverse career paths, including:

• Academic positions in law schools and interdisciplinary departments, pursuing teaching and continued research in gender and transnational law.
• Research roles in think tanks and academic research centres focusing on human rights, gender policy and comparative legal reform.
• Policy and advocacy positions in international organisations, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies working on gender equality, migration, human rights and development.
• Legal practice and consultancy advising governments, international bodies or NGOs on gender-responsive legal reform and compliance with international standards.
• Leadership roles in public service, judicial clerkships or specialised human rights litigation units.

The programme’s emphasis on rigorous research methods and interdisciplinary collaboration equips graduates to shape scholarly debates, inform policy, and take on leadership roles where nuanced understanding of gender and comparative legal systems is needed.

Why study at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University offers a strong environment for doctoral work in law through the School of Law’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Located in Cleveland, the university provides access to a diverse community of scholars across law, social sciences and area studies, enabling cross-disciplinary supervision and joint projects.

Students benefit from experiential resources such as legal clinics, local and regional partnerships with courts, NGOs and public institutions, and seminars that connect academic research to policy and practice. The university’s research culture, faculty expertise in international and comparative law, and connections to broader professional networks support doctoral candidates aiming to produce influential scholarship and to pursue careers in academia, policy and international practice.