Yale Finds Great Demand for Law Ph.D.

Yale University was met with both applause and skepticism when it announced in July it would offer the first-ever Ph.D. in law, however it is now clear that there is a great demand for a program of its kind. The National Law Journal reports that Yale has received 82 applications for the first five spots in the program designed to prepare lawyers to be legal scholars and professors. Dean Robert Post stated there was a great deal of variety in applicants, with some fresh from law school and others who have been practicing for 30 years. The three-year program is shorter than a typical doctorate, and requires students to write a dissertation, sit for qualifying exams, takes classes on teaching, and teach two courses.