Students in this program have the opportunity to earn a combined JD/PhD in a condensed time frame while complementing their studies in each field with knowledge and research in the other.
Students can earn both degrees in six years. Penn Carey Law gives credit for up to six approved courses in the Department of Philosophy toward the JD. The Philosophy Department requires that students complete all PhD coursework, which may include several courses from the Law School curriculum.
Most often, students spend their first two years in the Department of Philosophy and their third year at the Law School completing the traditional 1L curriculum. The next two years are spent in combined coursework in the two departments, followed by dissertation writing. On occasion, for the exceptional candidate, some other arrangement of coursework may be possible.
Funding is determined at the School level. Philosophy provides a financial aid package, which includes full tuition, the normal graduate stipend (including health insurance, if not otherwise covered) for each year during which the graduate is enrolled with Philosophy. Law financial aid varies and will be awarded after the offer of admission to the joint program. Students admitted to the program receive a letter setting out the financial aid package.
Students must apply and gain admission separately to each department. Applications to the Department of Philosophy are welcomed contemporaneously with the Law School application and vice versa.