Prospective Students

The Law and Economics program at Berkeley is not a separate degree program, but rather an interest area representing graduate students who are pursuing degrees in several different disciplines, including Law, Jurisprudence and Social Policy, Economics, Business, Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Public Policy. 

Each student must be admitted to the university under the requirements of the degree program which he or she is pursuing. There are several degree programs which are common for students interested in the area of law and economics. In addition to the J.D. program offered by the Law School, Ph.D. programs are offered in Economics; Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP); Business and Public Policy; and Agricultural and Resource Economics. Foreign students will often pursue a Master in Law (LL.M.) through the JSP program. In addition to these programs, there are several combined degree programs, including a J.D./Ph.D. in Economics; J.D./M.B.A.; and an LL.M./Ph.D. in Economics.

The law school offers a semester-long lecture course on the techniques of law and economics, as well as a seminar course which brings scholars from around the world to present current research in the field. These courses are open to graduate students from all departments. Many of our doctoral students plan on academic and professional careers in the field and there are many satisfying opportunities for original research in our law program. Because many of our faculty are or have been active in government service (in the areas of constitutional design, issues of federalism, and in the drafting and enforcing of law in areas of business such as foreign trade and antitrust), students at Berkeley enjoy a very pragmatic applied perspective. You are encouraged to consider application, and to visit us when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Please also consider attending our seminars, which are always open to the public. 

Select the links below for more information:

For information regarding application to the Boalt Hall School of Law

For information regarding application to the JSP Program

For information regarding application to the Dept. of Economics

For information regarding application to Haas Business School

For information regarding application to the Agricultural & Resource Economics Department