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Hi,

I've recently been admitted to a good (top 15) economics PhD program that also happens to have a good law school. I'm contemplating pursuing a JD/PhD at said school, however I'm not really sure what the payoffs to doing such a program are. I've tried searching this forum but haven't seen any definitive answers. What kind of doors does having both a JD and a PhD open up? From the academic side, all I've heard is that it makes it a bit easier to get a job at a law school as a professor. If that's it, then it doesn't really seem worth it, but if there's more, please let me know. Also, information about successful people that have made the most of their two degrees would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bump for Curiosity, specifically Econ

I wish I could do it, but I don't think I'm going to go down that avenue. Honestly, I'd love to be a professor teaching global political economy or something relevant to that, where I could be involved in economics, poli sci, and legal interests all at one time.

mostheinous wrote:Hi,

I've recently been admitted to a good (top 15) economics PhD program that also happens to have a good law school. I'm contemplating pursuing a JD/PhD at said school, however I'm not really sure what the payoffs to doing such a program are. I've tried searching this forum but haven't seen any definitive answers. What kind of doors does having both a JD and a PhD open up? From the academic side, all I've heard is that it makes it a bit easier to get a job at a law school as a professor. If that's it, then it doesn't really seem worth it, but if there's more, please let me know. Also, information about successful people that have made the most of their two degrees would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Usually people find a career then figure out how to accomplish it, not pick a degree and see what career you can get from it.

It will give you credibility to prosecute Tim Geithner for crimes against our country. Just hurry up and become an ADA before the statute of limitations expires.

While I'm only 99% serious, I would imagine that you could get a job doing think tank work in DC writing about financial regulations. Our get a job at the (crossing fingers) soon-to-be announced strong, independent, and rule making consumer protection agency.

Vanderbilt has the JD/PhD Econ program which I'm looking into going into if I get in, so I'm interested in what you guys have to say also. But, just to contribute my opinion, I'm looking into it because I'm interested in going into legal academia, and possibly do some of sort of transactional law consulting on the side.

blackmamba76 wrote:Vanderbilt has the JD/PhD Econ program which I'm looking into going into if I get in, so I'm interested in what you guys have to say also. But, just to contribute my opinion, I'm looking into it because I'm interested in going into legal academia, and possibly do some of sort of transactional law consulting on the side.

Stupid question: Why don't you just ask the school what people do with their degrees?