Widener University

What you'll study

The programme is structured around intensive doctoral-level coursework followed by an independent research dissertation. Early coursework typically emphasises advanced research methods (qualitative, quantitative and doctrinal), jurisprudence and legal theory, comparative law and policy analysis, and specialised seminars aligned to the student’s research interests. Students select advanced topics such as administrative law and governance, regulation and compliance, empirical legal studies, human rights and social justice, corporate law and ethics, or legal education and pedagogy.

Training in research design, data collection and analysis is a core component, preparing scholars to develop original empirical or theoretical contributions. The programme also includes professional studies modules that address leadership in legal institutions, ethics in professional practice, and scholarly communication. A substantial portion of the degree is devoted to the dissertation: an original piece of research supervised by faculty mentors that culminates in a defence before a doctoral committee.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree (for example LLM, MA, MPhil or equivalent) or a professional law degree (such as JD) with sufficient academic distinction, together with a strong record of professional experience in legal practice, policy, academia or related fields. Typical application materials include:

• a detailed curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant academic and professional experience;
• academic transcripts from prior degree programmes;
• a statement of purpose outlining proposed research questions and fit with the programme’s faculty expertise;
• sample of scholarly writing or a professional research project;
• academic and/or professional references that can speak to research potential.

Admission may also require an interview and, for international applicants, proof of English language proficiency. Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s academic preparation, clarity and feasibility of research agenda, and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD frequently move into academic careers as law faculty or researchers in interdisciplinary departments, taking roles that include teaching, curriculum development and scholarly publication. The advanced research skills and subject-matter expertise also prepare graduates for senior roles in public policy, government agencies, judicial research offices, non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and corporate legal departments focused on compliance, governance and regulatory strategy.

Other career paths include leadership positions in legal education, consultancy on law and policy projects, and senior research posts where rigorous empirical or theoretical legal analysis is required. The degree is particularly valuable for professionals intending to influence practice through evidence-based policy recommendations or to shape legal scholarship.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers a doctoral environment with close faculty mentorship and access to a breadth of legal expertise across its law school and professional studies faculty. Students benefit from small cohort sizes that support personalised supervision and cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as opportunities to engage with centres and clinics affiliated with the university that focus on public policy, justice reform and community legal services.

The university provides substantial research resources, including specialised legal collections, access to major electronic legal databases and support from experienced librarians. For practitioner-scholars, Widener’s connections to regional legal communities, courts and public agencies offer avenues for applied research, internships and professional networking. The programme’s emphasis on combining rigorous theory with applied professional training makes it suitable for candidates aiming to advance both scholarship and practice.