Chapman University

What you'll study

A doctoral-level programme in Gender, International & Comparative Law centres on original, sustained research into legal norms, institutions and practices across jurisdictions with a particular focus on gendered dimensions of law and governance. Typical components include advanced coursework in comparative legal methods, feminist and gender theory, international human rights law, transnational criminal law, migration and refugee law, and socio-legal research methods.

• Core seminars on theory and methodology: comparative law methods, critical legal theory, and qualitative and quantitative research design.
• Focused electives: gender-based violence, reproductive rights, family law across jurisdictions, labour and economic rights, and gender and international criminal law.
• Interdisciplinary study: engagement with perspectives from sociology, political science, anthropology, public health and area studies to situate legal issues in social context.
• Language training and regional specialisation where relevant to comparative work and primary-source research.
• Supervised independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the field and demonstrates methodological rigour.

Doctoral candidates are typically expected to present work-in-progress at departmental seminars, publish in peer-reviewed journals or edited volumes, and participate in conferences and policy fora as part of their training.

Entry requirements

Entry to a PhD-level research programme in this field normally requires evidence of strong prior academic preparation and research potential. Typical requirements include:

• A master’s degree in law (LLM), international law, or a closely related discipline such as political science, sociology or gender studies; in some systems a first law degree (JD/LLB) with significant research experience may be acceptable.
• A substantive research proposal outlining research questions, theoretical framing, proposed methodology, and a preliminary bibliography focused on gender, international and/or comparative law.
• Academic transcripts and strong references from faculty who can speak to the applicant’s research potential.
• Demonstrable legal writing and, where applicable, academic publications or policy reports are advantageous.
• Language skills appropriate to the planned comparative work (for example proficiency in one or more foreign languages if primary-source research in non-English jurisdictions is required).

Admissions panels also assess alignment with available supervision and institutional expertise; prospective candidates should discuss their proposals with potential supervisors or departmental contacts before applying.

Career prospects

A doctorate in Gender, International & Comparative Law prepares graduates for a range of careers in academia, policy and practice. Common career paths include:

• Academic positions in law schools and interdisciplinary departments, including roles in teaching, research and programme leadership.
• Policy and research roles in international organisations, multilateral institutions, government agencies and non-governmental organisations working on human rights, gender equality, migration or transitional justice.
• Advisory and consultancy work for development agencies, legal reform projects and advocacy organisations that require deep comparative and gender-sensitive legal expertise.
• Senior legal practice focusing on international human rights litigation, strategic impact litigation, or advising on cross-border regulatory and human rights compliance.
• Think tanks, research institutes and foundation-funded programmes where strong research, publishing and policy-translation skills are valued.

Why study at Chapman University

While Chapman does not offer a dedicated PhD in Law, the university and its Fowler School of Law provide strengths that support advanced research in gender, international and comparative law. Chapman emphasises small-group teaching, close faculty supervision and experiential learning—advantages for doctoral-level mentoring and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Access to faculty with expertise in public international law, human rights, and interdisciplinary legal scholarship who can act as supervisors or collaborators on research projects.
• Opportunities to engage with clinics, externships and community-based projects in the Los Angeles region and beyond, useful for empirical and practice-informed research.
• Interdisciplinary connections across Chapman’s colleges (for example social sciences, Humanities and Health Sciences) that allow candidates to frame legal questions within broader social, political and health contexts.
• Proximity to a diverse legal and policy ecosystem—international NGOs, consulates, and specialised legal practices—useful for fieldwork, internships and postdoctoral networking.

Prospective candidates interested in doctoral research should contact Chapman faculty in relevant fields to discuss supervision possibilities and consider alternative formal routes to a PhD or SJD/JSD-equivalent research degree through institutions that specifically offer doctoral law programmes.