PhD in Law (PhD)

Howard University’s legacy is shaped by academic study, research, and service. Its community includes scholars, student researchers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. The university carries the identity of an HBCU while preparing students for study and careers across a broad range of disciplines. Alumni stories include physicians, astrophysicists, educators, lawyers, public officials, and advocates whose work has reached beyond the campus.

Students can apply to more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges. Howard offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral programs, with fields ranging from the humanities to scientific disciplines. Research and centers address health and medical issues, economic disparities, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, drug abuse, energy systems, accounting and finance, women’s leadership, and journalism and democracy. The university has also launched an AI certificate program for undergraduate students.

Located in Washington, DC, Howard connects academic life with a city central to American government, public service, journalism, and cultural life. International students should review the university’s range of schools and degree levels carefully, since programs differ across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral study. Howard’s guiding phrase, “Excellence in Truth and Service,” reflects the university’s emphasis on student success and service to local and global communities.

The programme is grounded in legal research and theoretical analysis with an emphasis on practical application. Students engage in advanced study of legal doctrine, policy development, and scholarly writing. The curriculum supports original contributions to legal knowledge through dissertation work. The programme prepares students for academic and high-level professional roles in law.

Focus areas include Legal Theory, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, Legal History, Law and Social Justice, Legal Scholarship.

The programme requires a total of 72 credits, including coursework, dissertation research, and writing. Students complete foundational courses, advanced seminars, and a substantial dissertation based on original research.

Graduates pursue careers as law professors, legal scholars, policy advisors, and senior legal consultants in academic and public institutions.

Applicants must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required. Applicants must submit transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically completed in four years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 35% of applicants.