Overview

The Law and Urban Planning joint degree at Harvard University provides a rigorous interdisciplinary education designed for students aiming to lead at the intersection of legal practice and urban development. By combining resources from the Law School and the Graduate School of Design, the programme enables candidates to complete two professional degrees in four years instead of five. This integrated approach ensures that graduates possess the legal expertise and planning skills necessary to address complex societal challenges in the built environment.

Why Law and Urban Planning at Harvard University?

Students benefit from the combined expertise of two world-renowned faculties, overseen by a dedicated committee that ensures a cohesive academic experience. The programme offers a unique residency structure, where students spend dedicated time at both the Law School and the Graduate School of Design to gain deep immersion in each discipline. This collaborative environment fosters a vibrant community of scholars and practitioners, providing access to extensive research libraries, clinical opportunities, and professional networks across both fields.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 80760 per year
National fee: USD 80760 per year
Local fee: USD 80760 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to cover foundational requirements in both law and urban planning during the first two years, followed by integrated upper-level study. Modules may include:

Civil Procedure
Contracts
Constitutional Law
Criminal Law
Legislation and Regulation
Property
Torts
Urban Planning Theory and Praxis
Public and Private Development

In the final two years, students engage in advanced coursework and must complete a written work requirement. The syllabus also includes experiential learning, professional responsibility, and spatial analysis to ensure a comprehensive professional toolkit.

Careers with Law and Urban Planning

Graduates are prepared for high-level leadership positions within government agencies, private development firms, and non-profit organisations. The dual qualification supports careers in land use law, urban policy, real estate development, and environmental advocacy. By mastering both the legal and technical aspects of planning, alumni are uniquely positioned to navigate the regulatory and design complexities of modern metropolitan areas.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Civil Procedure

Contracts

Constitutional Law

Criminal Law

Legislation and Regulation

Property

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cambridge, United States

Disciplines

Public Law Legal Studies Urban Planning View 235 other Masters in Legal Studies in United States

This information is based on LinkedIn alumni data for graduates from 2018 to 2024 and may not fully represent all career outcomes

Total alumni

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

Online Application

We require a nonrefundable application fee of $85.00

We require a resume as part of the application. Please limit your resume to 1 – 2 pages in length.

The personal statement provides an opportunity for you to present yourself, your background, your ideas, and your qualifications to the Admissions Committee. Please limit your statement to two pages using a minimum of 11-point font, 1-inch margins, and double spacing

LSAT or GRE Score

Submit a current copy of your LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report

We require official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work

Two letters of recommendation

Your application to Harvard Law School includes a set of Character and Fitness Questions. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction

During the application review process you may be invited to interview

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

80760 USD / year

≈ 80760 USD / year
Out-of-State

80760 USD / year

≈ 80760 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

80760 USD / year

≈ 80760 USD / year

Living costs

Cambridge

United States

1814 - 3756 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 Law and Urban Planning.

Available Scholarships

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