Emory University

What you'll study

Coursework is tailored to each student’s research agenda but typically includes core training and elective seminars in the following areas.

• Legal theory and philosophy: foundational and contemporary debates about law, justice, rights and interpretation.
• Research methods: qualitative and quantitative methods for legal research, including empirical design, interviewing, archival work, and statistical techniques as appropriate to projects.
• Comparative and international law: study of legal families, transnational regulation and comparative methods for cross-jurisdictional analysis.
• Law and public policy: analysis of how law shapes and responds to social problems, implementation studies and policy evaluation methods.
• Interdisciplinary electives: seminars drawing on political science, sociology, economics, public health or ethics to enrich legal research perspectives.
• Professional and pedagogical training: opportunities to develop university-level teaching skills, grant-writing and research dissemination strategies.
• Dissertation research: sustained, original research under the guidance of a supervisory committee, culminating in a defendable doctoral dissertation that contributes to legal scholarship or applied legal studies.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants typically hold a strong professional or academic law qualification (for example a JD, LLB, LLM or an equivalent advanced degree) or a closely related graduate degree in the social sciences. Admissions assess demonstrated research potential and fit with faculty expertise. Common application components include:

• Academic transcripts from prior degrees.
• A detailed research statement or proposal outlining intended doctoral research.
• A substantive writing sample that demonstrates analytical and research skills.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three) from academic or professional referees.
• A CV and personal statement describing academic background and professional experience.
• English language test scores where required for international applicants.

Some applicants may also be invited to interview. Specific test requirements (such as GRE) are determined by Emory’s admissions policies and may vary; applicants should consult the programme for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of careers that emphasise research, teaching and policy impact. Typical pathways include:

• Tenure-track or teaching-focused positions in law schools and university departments.
• Research roles at policy institutes, think tanks and non-governmental organisations.
• Senior positions in government agencies, international organisations or regulatory bodies where deep legal expertise and research skills are required.
• Research leadership within legal aid, advocacy organisations or corporate legal research teams.
• Consultancy, expert witness work and specialised advisory roles that draw on advanced legal scholarship.

Why study at Emory University

Emory offers a collaborative environment that links the resources of Emory University’s law school with the wider graduate community. Students benefit from mentorship by faculty active in a broad range of legal scholarship, access to extensive library collections and research centres, and interdisciplinary connections across social science, public health and ethics. Located in Atlanta, Emory provides proximity to a dynamic legal, policy and nonprofit ecosystem—useful for research partnerships and professional engagement—while maintaining a small-cohort model that emphasises individual supervision and career development.