JD/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Philosophy

In collaboration with the Graduate School, Duke Law School offers the opportunity to pursue a JD/PhD dual degree. Formal JD/PhD programs are in place with the departments of Political Science and Philosophy, and arrangements with other departments may be available on an ad hoc basis. Candidates apply separately to the Law School and the Graduate School and receive independent admission decisions. In most cases, the JD/PhD can be completed in six years. However, the timeline is flexible, varying most significantly with the amount of time it takes to complete the doctoral dissertation. Students must complete 72 law credits (rather than the 84 required for JD-only candidates), including the full first-year curriculum, and satisfy all other Law School graduation requirements. The Department of Philosophy has a faculty with expertise in the philosophy of law, political philosophy, science policy studies, bioethics, normative ethics and metaethics, and moral psychology. Students may specialize in the philosophy of mind, psychology, biology, or science; the history of philosophy; epistemology, logic, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of law.