Admissions

Is the GRE required?

Beginning with the 2022-2023 application cycle (entry in Fall 2023), the GRE requirement is no longer required.

When does your application cycle open and close?

Applications for entry in Fall open in mid-September and close in mid-December each year, and applicants are notified of decisions in late-February. Students have to apply through the graduate portal at the UC Berkeley Graduate Division. Further information on applying can be found on the Applications page. Those interested in applying can also contact JSP directly through JSP@berkeley.edu or at 510-642-3771.

Do you accept students for the Spring semester?

We do not accept applications for entry in the Spring semester.

Are international students allowed to apply to the program?

Yes, international students are welcome to apply and are eligible for funding. As an international applicant, you will need to fulfill the UC Berkeley Graduate Division's requirements for international students in addition to the application requirements.

Do I need to take the TOEFL/IELTS?

All international applicants must complete the TOEFL (preferred) or IELTS. Some applicants may qualify for an exemption. More information here

How long should my statement of purpose/personal statement/writing sample be?

Statements are usually between 2-3 pages and writing samples are generally about 25-30 pages.

I’d like to request an application fee waiver.

Information on requesting an application fee waiver can be found here

Do I need to have a dissertation topic prior to applying for the program?

No, and we prefer that applicants do not have a dissertation topic prior to applying. By completing interdisciplinary coursework during the early years in the program, students will be able to craft a dissertation topic that will answer research questions regarding law, policy, and society in a cutting-edge way, in an innovative and illuminating way, and in a manner that might matter for social and institutional change.

Do you need to have a JD to enter the program?

No, only about one-fifth of the entering students already have a JD, an MA, or an LLM.

What materials need to be submitted as part of the application?

Applicants need to have all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions where they've been enrolled send official transcripts. They also need to take the GRE, but they do not need to take the LSAT. If they have taken the LSAT that can be assessed as well, but it is not required. They need three letters of recommendations. The application also consists of two short essays. One is called the “statement of purpose” in which applicants communicate their goals for graduate study and beyond, in addition to why they want to be at JSP and what they hope to get out of the Ph.D....