University of Kansas

What you'll study

This doctoral programme centres on independent, original research leading to a substantial dissertation, supported by advanced coursework and seminars. Core study areas typically include legal theory and jurisprudence, comparative and international law, empirical legal studies and quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students also take advanced seminars in specialised subjects such as administrative law, constitutional law, criminal justice, health law, regulatory policy, and law and society.

• Research methods: intensive training in qualitative methods (interviewing, case study, doctrinal analysis) and quantitative methods (statistics, econometrics, experimental design) tailored to legal research.
• Theory and doctrine: advanced courses in jurisprudence, legal reasoning and doctrinal analysis that sharpen the student’s capacity to produce publishable scholarship.
• Interdisciplinary electives: options to take modules from related departments such as political science, public affairs, sociology, and criminology to situate legal research in broader social contexts.
• Professional development: academic writing, pedagogy seminars, grant-writing workshops and opportunities for teaching or supervising undergraduates and postgraduates.
• Dissertation: sustained, supervised original research culminating in a doctoral thesis that contributes new knowledge to the field of legal studies or professional practice.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant postgraduate qualification such as an LLM, MA or equivalent research master’s or a professional law degree (JD) with strong academic performance. Candidates with substantive professional experience in legal practice, government, or policy roles may also be considered when combined with demonstrable research potential.

• Academic transcripts showing successful completion of prior degree(s).
• A detailed research proposal outlining the intended dissertation topic, research questions and methodology.
• Curriculum vitae emphasising academic, research and professional experience.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three) from academic referees familiar with the applicant’s research potential; professional references can supplement these where appropriate.
• A writing sample demonstrating analytical and scholarly ability, such as a thesis chapter, law review article or equivalent work.
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, in line with university requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme pursue a range of careers that capitalise on deep research skills and subject-matter expertise. Many move into tenure-track academic positions or postdoctoral research roles in law schools and universities, while others take senior research posts in think tanks, governmental agencies and international organisations. Additional pathways include high-level policy analysis, judicial clerkships, leadership roles in legal NGOs, consultancy in regulatory and compliance matters, and senior in-house research or policy roles in the private sector.

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers a supportive environment for advanced legal research through access to established faculty with expertise across doctrinal, theoretical and empirical dimensions of law. Doctoral students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and research centres, extensive library and archival resources, and structured professional development for academic and non-academic careers. The School of Law’s clinical programmes and engagement with regional and national legal institutions provide practical perspectives that complement scholarly work, while university-wide funding and fellowship mechanisms are available to help sustain doctoral research.