Florida International University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced doctrinal and theoretical study with sustained empirical and comparative research. Early stages typically include core work on research methods and legal theory followed by specialised seminars in gender and international law. Typical subject areas and modules include:

• Feminist and critical legal theories
• Comparative constitutional and administrative law
• International human rights and humanitarian law with gendered perspectives
• Law of migration, refugees and gendered displacement
• Gender, development and international economic law
• Transitional justice, conflict and sexual violence
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods for legal scholars
• Comparative methods and fieldwork design
• Seminar on scholarly writing and publication strategy

Programme structure centres on advanced coursework, a comprehensive/qualifying examination to establish readiness for original research, and a sustained dissertation supervised by faculty with relevant expertise. Candidates are expected to produce a substantial doctoral thesis making a clear contribution to scholarship in gender, international and comparative law. Many students pursue interdisciplinary projects and may take or teach seminars in allied departments such as Gender Studies, International Relations or Sociology. Teaching or research assistantships are commonly part of the doctoral experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a first law degree (such as an LLB or JD) or a relevant master’s degree (for example an LLM or MA in a related social science) with strong academic performance. Typical application components include:

• A research proposal that outlines the intended doctoral project in gender, international or comparative law
• Official academic transcripts from prior degrees
• A substantial writing sample (for example a published article, thesis chapter or long seminar paper)
• Letters of academic reference that can speak to research potential
• Evidence of English language proficiency where applicable
• A CV demonstrating relevant academic, research or professional experience

Admissions committees look for demonstrated research aptitude, a clear fit between the candidate’s interests and departmental expertise, and the potential to complete a sustained piece of scholarship. Some applicants, particularly those from non-legal backgrounds, may be asked to take preparatory coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates of a PhD in this field pursue a range of careers that leverage deep research and analytical skills. Common pathways include:

• Academic positions in law schools and interdisciplinary departments, teaching and publishing on gender, international and comparative law
• Research and policy roles in international organisations, multilateral bodies and human rights institutions
• Senior positions in NGOs, advocacy organisations and think tanks focused on gender justice, migration or transitional justice
• Legal policy advising for governments and intergovernmental agencies
• Consultancy and specialised practice in areas such as human rights litigation, gender-responsive law reform and international criminal law

Doctoral training also prepares graduates for leadership roles that require advanced research, grant writing and project management skills.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University offers a doctoral environment shaped by its geographic and institutional strengths: a location that bridges the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and an institutional emphasis on interdisciplinary and applied research. Students benefit from faculty who work on comparative and international law from diverse regional perspectives, opportunities to collaborate with scholars in gender and area studies, and access to public-interest legal clinics and research centres.

The university’s urban setting and networks with governmental and non-governmental organisations provide practical avenues for fieldwork, empirical research and public engagement. Doctoral candidates can expect a supportive supervisory culture, opportunities for teaching and funded research appointments, and training designed to prepare scholars for both academic and policy-facing careers in gender, international and comparative law.