LL.M. in Environmental
and Natural Resources Law:
Quick Facts

Area of Specialization: The term "environmental law" is often used to describe both the laws of pollution control and the laws regarding management of natural resources and wildlife. Lewis & Clark offers education in all aspects of environmental and natural resources law, including the laws of the U.S., international law, and related areas such as environmental justice and animal law. Lewis & Clark's LL.M. is entirely dedicated to the area of environmental and natural resources law, and is not suitable for those seeking a more general education in U.S. law.

Number of LL.M. Students: We keep this program deliberately small, between 12 and 20 students in any given year, so that LL.M. students have the opportunity to work closely with our environmental faculty and staff.

Time requirements: The LL.M. program requires students from the U.S. and common law countries to complete 26 semester hours of credit, including a two-credit LL.M. seminar during which students produce a paper and accompanying presentation on an environmental topic of their choice. International students without previous background in the common law are also required to take the two-credit Summer Seminar for International Lawyers. The LL.M. program can be completed in one academic year (two semesters) or spread over a period of up to a maximum of two and a half years to accommodate working students. For visa purposes, international students must take at least 5 credits per semester to be considered full-time students; other visa requirements and length of study in the U.S. should be discussed well in advance with our International Students and Scholars Office.

Course requirements: Students from the U.S. and common law countries are required to take Administrative Law and a survey Environmental Law class if they have not already taken these in their J.D. or LL.B. programs. International students from non-common-law countries are required to take the Summer Seminar for International Lawyers and a survey Environmental Law class. For the remaining credits required for the degree, students may choose from Lewis & Clark's vast array of curriculum choices, including up to 8 credits of non-environmental classes.

Thesis option: Exceptional students may have the option of completing a major written thesis for six credits. This option is not open to all LL.M. students and must only be undertaken after consultation with and permission of the program director and faculty thesis supervisor.

Fall and spring entrance: U.S. students can apply to begin their LL.M. studies in the fall semester, which begins in late August, or in the spring semester, which begins in mid-January. International students begin in early August with an intensive Summer Seminar designed to introduce them to the U.S. legal system and law studies in the U.S.