Institute for Energy and the Environment

Energy Law Certificate & Curriculum

The Institute offers a variety of programs for students and professionals to enhance your understanding of energy law. For current VLS students, you can enroll in the Certificate in Energy Law. For students and professionals, you can learn more about energy law from our vast array energy curriculum offered at VLS.

Certificate in Energy Law

Earning a certificate in Energy Law from Vermont Law School demonstrates a committed focus on, and mastery of, energy issues with an environmental awareness. Program graduates are well prepared to play a strong role with an energy commission, a law firm with an energy practice, or an advocacy group focusing on these issues.

Early in the traditional JD, LLM or MELP programs, students declare their intention to earn the certificate by the completion of the following:

Certificate Requirements:

• Minimum of 17 JD and/or MELP or LLM credits in energy and environmental law
• JD-only students: minimum total of 91 JD credits required for graduation
• JD/MELP students: minimum total of 87 JD credits required for graduation
• Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in JD, MELP, and/or LLM degree program
• Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in all energy certificate classes

The required minimum 17 credits will be earned by completing ALL of the following:

• A. Required courses (grade of B or higher):
  • ENV226 Energy Law and Policy in a Carbon-Constrained World (3 cr.)
  • ENV228 Energy Regulation, Markets and the Environment (3 cr.)
  • ENV105 Administrative Law (waived for MELP-only students) (3 cr.)
• B. At least 4 credits from the following list of Summer Session courses:
  • ENV419 Energy Development and Climate Change
  • ENV476 Nuclear Power and Public Policy
  • ENV468 Oil and Gas Production and the Environment
  • ENV490 Renewable Energy and Other Alternative Fuels
  • ENV5550 Renewable Energy Project Finance and Development
  • ENV5510 Three Essentials of the Electric Grid
• C. At least 2 credits from the following list:
  • ENV205 Air Pollution Law & Policy (3 cr.)
  • ENV209 CERCLA Law & Policy (3 cr.)
  • ENV365 Climate Change: The Power of Taxes (2 cr.)
  • BUS6226 Corporate Finance: Mergers & Acquisitions (3 cr.)
  • BUS235 Corporations (4 cr.)
  • ENV110 Ecology or Ecology of Food & Agriculture (3 cr.)
  • ENV125 Land Use Regulation (3 cr.) PUB250 National Security Law (3 cr.)
• D. Satisfactory completion of one course or project from the list below. Projects must be approved by the director of the Institute for Energy and the Environment.
  • ENV303 Advanced Energy Writing Seminar (2 cr.)
  • Advanced Writing Requirement on an energy topic
  • Independent Research Project on an energy topic
  • LLM thesis or research project on an energy topic
  • MELP/LLM internship or JD externship in energy law
  • Participation in the IEE Research Associate Program

Declaration Form for Certificate in Energy Law

Energy Curriculum at VLS

The Institute offers year-round, in-depth training in the fundamentals and developing elements of energy law and regulation. Active professionals and academic students will both find stimulating coursework at the Institute. Professionals can attend intense, one, two, or three-week summer courses and seasonal, multi-day conferences geared to suit their particular needs. Law students and environmental studies analysts can earn degree credits and substantive knowledge of industry topics from a full slate of fall, spring, and summer courses, advanced writing seminars, and research.