• What is distinctive about this program?
• How long does the program take? What is the curriculum?  
• What is the tuition for the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics? Is there financial assistance?
• Do I have to take the LSAT? What scores do I need?
• Do I have to take the GRE? What scores do I need?
• Do I have to earn the J.D. if I already hold a foreign law degree?
• Do I have to take the TOEFL if I speak English as a foreign language?
• What is the math requirement? What courses are recommended for preparation?
• If I am seeking both degrees at Vanderbilt, do I have to submit two sets of transcripts?
• Do I need two sets of recommendations?
• Do I have to pay two application fees?

What is distinctive about this program?

The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is unique. While one can separately earn a J.D. and a Ph.D. in economics at many other universities, our program is unique in that training in economics is fully integrated with training in law. Students learn economic theory and econometrics in the context of the law and legal issues. Our principal fields of concentration are behavioral law and economics, economics of the environment and regulation, and labor and human resources.

At the completion of the program, you will receive a Ph.D. in Law and Economics and a J.D. While we anticipate that most of our graduates will pursue academic careers, other career paths are possible.

How long does the program take? What is the curriculum?  

We anticipate that students can complete the Ph.D. and J.D. in 6-7 years. We anticipate that students can complete the Ph.D. alone in 4-5 years.

For students who have completed at least one year of a J.D. program, the first year of study includes core economics and law and economics courses. In subsequent years, students will take law, law and economics, and economics courses.

For those seeking both the Ph.D. and the J.D. degrees, the first year of study includes core economics and law and economics courses. The second year of study includes core J.D. courses. In subsequent years, all students will take law, law and economics, and economics courses and begin their dissertation research. See our webpage for more detail on the Law and Economics curriculum page.

What is the tuition for the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics? Is there financial assistance?

The tuition for graduate study at Vanderbilt for 2008/09 is $1,504 per semester hour of credit. Tuition for the J.D. program is $41,850 for the 2008/09 academic year.

Competitive fellowships for full tuition support and stipends are available for study within the program. Continuation of the award beyond the first year is contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.

Fellowship recipients will have research assistant/teaching assistant responsibilities after completion of the first year of Ph.D. study and the first year of law study.

Do I have to take the LSAT? What scores do I need?

YES, unless you currently have a J.D. degree or are currently enrolled in law school. The American Bar Association requires the LSAT for admission to the J.D. program.

There is no minimum LSAT score; however, applicants with lower LSAT scores are admitted at lower rates than applicants with higher scores. The median score of J.D. students at Vanderbilt is 167. We consider each applicant's LSAT score in the context of all the information in the full application. This means that applicants with lower scores are more likely to be admitted if they are strong in other respects.

Do I have to take the GRE?  What scores do I need?

YES. The Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores are required for admission to the Graduate School. Other exam scores (GMAT, for example) may not be used in lieu of the GRE scores.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics are expected to have a GRE score over 700 on the quantitative test. The GRE Subject Test in Economics is not required.

Do I have to earn the J.D. if I already hold a foreign law degree?

International students: Please note that applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics holding foreign law degrees must take the LSAT and must satisfy J.D. program requirements during their course of study at Vanderbilt, receiving Ph.D. and J.D. degrees upon completion of the program. In some cases, applicants admitted to the Ph.D. program with foreign law degrees may qualify for up to one year advanced standing in J.D. program requirements. Decisions on advanced standing are made after admission to the Ph.D. program, and these applicants are not exempt from the LSAT application requirement.

Do I have to take the TOEFL if I speak English as a foreign language?

Applicants whose native language is not English must present the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the application, unless they have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an English-speaking institution.

What is the math requirement?  What courses are recommended for preparation?

The more math, the better.

A minimum of one year of undergraduate level calculus is needed for the application to be considered. Additional courses in calculus, linear algebra, and real analysis will be useful.

Intermediate microeconomic theory and introductory statistics are strongly recommended.

If you have not had math for awhile, a math review before you begin the program is highly recommended. The economics department offers a “math camp” the month before your first semester of study during which you will review the mathematical tools used in the study of economics.

If I am seeking both degrees at Vanderbilt, do I have to submit two sets of transcripts?

YES. Transcripts must be submitted with each application to the Vanderbilt Law School (J.D.) and the Vanderbilt Graduate School (Ph.D. in Law and Economics). If you are applying to only Vanderbilt Law School and no other law schools, file your online application with the Graduate School. Send one set of transcripts, your letters of recommendation, and your GRE scores to the Graduate School. Once you have initiated your Graduate School application, the Law School will obtain your LSAT score from LSAC and will contact you directly for supplemental information.

Do I need two sets of recommendations?

YES. However, the same recommenders may write for each program. It is helpful if your recommenders highlight your law and economics interests and research potential. The Graduate School requires three letters of recommendation to complete your application, but up to five will be accepted. The Law School requires two letters of recommendation, but up to three will be accepted.

Do I have to pay two application fees?

There are presently no application fees for the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics. However, if you are applying to other law schools and completing Vanderbilt Law School's application online through LSDAS, you may be required to pay the Law School's application fee to submit your Law School application electronically. In this case, the Law School application fee will be refunded to you upon receipt of both your Law School and Graduate School applications.

Thank you for your interest in Vanderbilt. We look forward to working with you in the application process.