Overview

Key facts

Each of the graduate students accepted to Stanford University's SPILS program must develop and execute a research study on a socio-legal topic of her or his choice, and report the results in a written 8-credit thesis. The research must involve one or more empirical methods of investigation (quantitative and/or qualitative). SPILS research projects address topics of concern to various nations or regions of the world, or to the international community as a whole. Examples of these empirical projects include analyses of particular legal cultures, legal reforms and policies. The researcher develops her or his work in close collaboration with Stanford faculty and student colleagues. The SPILS program also serves as preparation and screening for Stanford’s JSD program, which is only open to a few SPILS students who are selected for admission each year. Like the SPILS program, the JSD program is interdisciplinary and requires an empirically based doctoral dissertation. Past SPILS fellows include specially qualified academics, researchers, lawyers, public officials, judges and other professionals trained in law outside the United States.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

SPILS Law and Society Seminar
Research Design for Empirical Legal Studies
SPILS Research Methods Workshop
SPILS Masters Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

45 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Stanford, United States

Disciplines

Legal Studies View 233 other Masters in Legal Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Application for Admission to Graduate Study
Application Fee
Resume or curriculum vitae
Personal statement
Two letters of recommendation
Official transcripts
TOEFL score report
Research Proposal
One additional letter of recommendation

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

52236 USD / year

≈ 52236 USD / year
Out-of-State

52236 USD / year

≈ 52236 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

49650 USD / year

≈ 49650 USD / year

Living costs

Stanford

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for International Legal Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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