JSP FAQ

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

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a J.S.D.?

Both the Ph.D. and J.S.D. degrees are appropriate if you intend on entering an academic career. However, the biggest distinction would be in whether you would like to enter an academic career in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. If you intend to pursue a career in the U.S., the Ph.D. would be recommended, whereas the J.S.D. would be recommended for those intending to pursue a career outside of the U.S.

For more information on Berkeley Law’s J.S.D. program, you can reach out to ...

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.

What is the distribution of students who earn JD/PhD degrees?

About two-thirds of our graduates ultimately earn both JD’s and PhD’s.

What are the range of scholarly interests in the program?

We have a vast range of dissertation topics that include works on law and social inequality, immigration law, business law, law and markets, human rights and comparative law, policing, mass incarceration, law and bioethics, law and religion, law and education, law and technology, and intellectual property.

Do all of the students go into academia after the program?

About 80% of students in the JSP program go into academia. While only one-third of our students who went into academia taught in law schools, over the past decade, approximately two-thirds ended up teaching in law schools.

Can I enroll concurrently in the Ph.D. and J.D. degree at Berkeley Law?

Yes, and more information can be found here. We also offer limited PDST awards to concurrently enrolled Ph.D. and J.D. students.Concurrently enrolled students gain an additional year towards their normative time to Ph.D. degree.

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....

How many applicants does JSP receive?

Between 80 to 110 applications are received. About 8 to 12% of applicants are admitted and about 70 to 80% of admitted students are accepted.