Students may pursue graduate study in environmental law by enrolling in one of two LL.M. programs offered by the Washington College of Law. The International Legal Studies program offers a concentration in international environmental law while the Law & Government program offers a concentration in environmental law and policy. Each of these year-long programs are designed for post-J.D. candidates seeking to concentrate in the practice of environmental law, or pursue careers in teaching, research, or public policy.
Students in the graduate program must have received a law degree with high rank from an accredited American law school or a foreign university. Applicants with degrees from non-English-speaking countries with English proficiency, as demonstrated on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), are encouraged to apply.
LL.M. in International law with concentration in international environmental law addresses the legal aspects of sustainable development, introducing students to the work of both practitioners and policymakers in the field. The intellectual focus will be on the development of practical legal strategies to complement and encourage action on sustainable development. Students are encouraged to develop their own course of study consisting of course work, supervised research and externship. The LL.M. is a 24 credit hour program with up to six credit hours of combined research and externship that may be applied to the degree requirements. The following information is offered to help current and prospective students design a comprehensive course of study. Students should begin their studies with the required and recommended courses supplemented with other environmental electives.
a) Requirements
- Non-common law graduates are required to take the American Legal Institutions course along with the supplemental Writing Program.
b) Recommended Courses
- International Environmental Law
- Seminar on International Environmental Law
- Comparative Environmental Law
c) International Environmental Law Courses
More information on the International Legal Studies Program
Environmental Law presents tremendous challenges to governments, businesses, and individuals. The LL.M. in Law & Government offers a concentration in environmental law and policy that is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the critical legal and policy dimensions of environmental concerns.
Students are encouraged to construct an individual course of study that includes classes, independent research and externship. LLM students need to complete 24 credits of study to earn the degree. The following required and recommended courses are offered to insure that the student is familiar with the fields of environmental quality and pollution, natural resources use and development, and the federal regulatory system. Students should begin their studies with the required and recommended courses supplemented with other environmental electives.
a) Requirements
- Seminar: The Washington Lawyer
- Administrative Law
b) Recommended Courses
- Environmental Law
- Advanced Environmental Law: Liability and Tort