Possible to study a PhD and undergraduate Law concurrently?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by thenullhypothesis, Feb 27, 2012.

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  1. thenullhypothesis

    thenullhypothesis New Member

    I just wanted to field some people's views on this idea. I'll be doing a PhD in behavioual economics and decision making (neuropsychology) and would like a solid foundation in law. Is it possible to study these concurrently?
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    In a word, no.
     
  3. thenullhypothesis

    thenullhypothesis New Member

    Would you care to elucidate as to why? Part-time law (one subject per semester) and a full time PhD?
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    If you're so sure it's possible then why did you ask the question?
     
  5. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    I disagree and think it's possible. There are many part-time law degrees for people that work full-time. Couldn't one consider a PhD like a full-time job? Doing it this was would leave ZERO time for work so hopefully the OP has a financial plan to pay for it all without working.
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I figured that if you are studying two programs at the same time, you're just asking to wash out of both of them. If it were me, I would study two programs consecutively rather than concurrently. But maybe that's just me.
     
  7. sideman

    sideman Well Known Member

    If you are financially set and don't have to work to support yourself and even then, I don't know that there's enough hours in the day to realistically do this. I know that the study of law, even part-time, requires most of your day, outside of work. Has it been done before? Maybe. But why? Why put yourself through this?
     
  8. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I have my hands full with a part-time doctorate program, but then again I work full-time+.
     
  9. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    I do see now where the OP said "undergraduate law". I don't know what that means.
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    LL.B. perhaps?
     
  11. thenullhypothesis

    thenullhypothesis New Member

    Yeah I meant a LLB. And yes I would be financially secure.

    I was considering it a viable option seeing as there are those who work full time and study law externally. My PhD would be my full time job and law after hours.

    However, perhaps I am underestimating the demand of a PhD.
     
  12. SouthernGent

    SouthernGent New Member

    If I may throw in my rusty two cents:

    I am currently a dual degree student, Juris Doctorate/Master's in Public Administration. I also work VERY part-time and am a student attorney representing juveniles in delinquency (criminal) cases. It is a very heavy load. It is also very rewarding.

    BUT, my recommendation to you is to look into LL.B. programs that may be willing to transfer in some credits from your prior education, or maybe even courses from your Ph.D. that you wish to pursue. The concurrent degree plan is do-able, but I assure you, it is very tough. It is not really because of the subject matter itself. Working on degrees from two different fields (especially law and something rigorous like a Ph.D.) is going to be tough because you will be switching gears a lot due to different expectations in courses and so forth.

    In short, tread carefully and if you do it, try to get as many credits to transfer as possible to limit the strain of getting through the programs.
     
  13. SouthernGent

    SouthernGent New Member

    Nullhypothesis,

    If I may throw my two cents in:

    I am certainly not as qualified as many of my esteemed colleagues on here in advising you on what you should or should not do, I believe I do bring a unique perspective for you to consider.

    I am a dual degree Juris Doctorate/Master's in Public Administration student, though not through distance learning. I think that there are some factors to consider. The time necessary for a Ph.D. is very high, even by J.D. standards. The reading necessary is time consuming. The biggest factor to me in my dual degree program is the differing standards necessary for success. What professors expect of me in my JD program is much different from my MPA. I do not mean rigor, I mean point of view, writing style, types of issues that must be addressed, etc. Switching gears back and forth can be very tough and frustrating.

    Whatever you do decide, I wish you well.
     
  14. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Two identical posts, 2 hours and 9 minutes apart. Hmm.
     
  15. andreojoe

    andreojoe member

    One of my friend is having this degree which he is actually utilizing. The thing is to experience the maximum in a lot of ways which is the way how it helps us with the basics and at the same time it grows reasonably.
     

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