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Frequently Asked Questions

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, labor and human resources, and risk and environmental regulation.

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. For more detail see the Law and Economics Curriculum page.

I work full-time or part-time and cannot leave my job. Can I attend the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics and keep my job?

No. The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is designed for the full-time student.

I do not live in middle Tennessee and cannot relocate. Can I study remotely in the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics?

No. Students in the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics must live within driving or walking distance of Vanderbilt University during the academic year. There are no opportunities to take courses online in the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics.

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 2010-2011 is $1,623 per semester hour of credit. Tuition for the J.D. program is $44,900 for the 2010-2011 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.

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

In addition to completing one year of undergraduate level calculus, students should pursue additional coursework in mathematics and economics.

Highly recommended courses are:

  • linear algebra
  • real analysis
  • statistics
  • intermediate microeconomic theory

Program students must attend the “math camp” offered by Vanderbilt's economics department during the month before the first semester of program study. The math camp reviews the mathematical tools used in the study of economics.

Do I have to have majored in economics as an undergraduate?

No. The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics does not require a specific major as a condition of admission. However, admitted students usually major in economics or mathematics since the math competency level of the program is commensurate with leading doctoral programs in economics.

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 168. 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 usually score above the 90th percentile on the Quantitative Reasoning portion of the GRE. 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.

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 (via the Program Manager, Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics, Vanderbilt Law School). If you are applying to only Vanderbilt Law School and no other law schools, file your online application with the Graduate School. Send your letters of recommendation and your GRE scores to the Graduate School. Send one set of transcripts to the Program Manager, Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics, Vanderbilt Law School. The Program Manager will send your transcripts 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.

Does the program accept transfer students? Can I expect to have waived required courses that I have completed at another institution?

Yes. Students who have completed graduate work in economics at other schools may request transfer credit for certain graduate courses completed elsewhere. In order for a course to qualify for transfer credit, it must meet certain conditions: (1) the course was taken at an accredited graduate school for graduate credit; (2) the student received at least a B in the course; and (3) the DGS must be satisfied that the course is of sufficient intellectual quality to count towards program requirements. Transfer hours do not count towards the student’s GPA unless they are to be considered as transferred didactic hours. Few courses are transferred as didactic hours. Credits earned for internships or research cannot be transferred. Pass/Fail courses may not be considered for transfer credit unless there is some basis for the grade, e.g. Pass represents a B grade or better.

Transfer credit will not be considered for the following courses: Law and Economics Theory I and II, Behavioral Law and Economics I and II, Econometrics for Legal Research.

Students transferring into the program from another law school are generally treated as though they had started law school at Vanderbilt. Credits for equivalent courses from another law school accredited by the American Bar Association may be considered towards upper-level electives, as applicable, though not in place of core courses.

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.

What if I want to apply to the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics during my first year of law school at Vanderbilt? Should I still check the box for Ph.D. in Law and Economics on my initial J.D. application?

No. If you plan to apply to the Ph.D. Program in the future, e.g., during your first year of law school, then you should not check the box on your initial J.D. application.

Where can I find a Vanderbilt campus map?

Click here for the Vanderbilt Campus Map.

 

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

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