In Europe, legal scholars have earned doctorates since medieval times. But in America, there has never been a Ph.D in law. Until now. This past December 15 was the deadline for applicants to the first Yale Law School class desiring this advanced degree. There are 82 applicants for only five openings.
It’s a small program, but strategically significant. From the time he arrived as the law school’s new dean in 2009, Robert C. Post has been keenly aware of the law school’s pre-eminence in the field of producing law professors. It’s that market the school’s new Ph.D program aims to serve, allowing top scholars an environment in which to fully burnish their academic credentials.
