The Master of Energy Regulation and Law (MERL) degree program focuses on law and policy governing energy use, production, and transmission. VLGS master’s degrees are one-year programs designed for those who do not seek a professional law degree. This 34-credit program focuses on the energy policy of the future.
Program Description
Taught by faculty associated with Vermont Law and Graduate School’s highly respected Institute for Energy and the Environment, the MERL program is focused on law and policy governing energy use, production, and transmission. You will develop a broad-based understanding of the intersection of energy and law, regulation, policy, and economic analysis. You will also receive practical training in public advocacy and writing for a legal and policy audience, opportunities for independent research with support from faculty, and can participate in externships at organizations that will prepare you to address the immediate challenges and opportunities facing energy regulation nationally and across the globe. The MERL can be completed fully online. Learn more about online learning opportunities.
At A Glance
Program Center: Institute for Energy and the Environment
Location: Online, on-campus or a hybrid of both
Credit Requirements: 34 credits*
*Credit requirements are for students starting the degree in Fall 2023 and beyond.
Students who started prior to Fall 2023 should refer to the Academic Regulations for their catalog year.
Careers and Alumni
Vermont Law and Graduate School master's graduates are the leaders, policymakers, and professionals our communities and our world most desperately need. Master’s alumni careers include:
- Manager, Policy Research, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
- Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs, Mass Municipal Wholesale Electric Co.
- Policy and Technology Specialist for Distributed Energy Resources, Center for Sustainable Energy
- Associate Project Manager, Solar Development, NextEra Energy Resources
- Legal and Regulatory Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Energy and Climate Specialist, Dane County Wisconsin
- Researcher/Utility Analyst, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
- Energy Analyst, Vermont Department of Public Service
- Manager of Regulatory Compliance, Stowe Electric Department
- Energy Consultant and Environmental Advocate, Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
- Senior Policy Analyst, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
- Regulatory Project Manager, Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
- And more
Degree Details
MASTER OF ENERGY REGULATION AND LAW (MERL) CURRICULUM
AUGUST
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
| Professionalism | 0 |
| Subtotal 0 credits | |
Fall
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
| Energy Law and Policy | 3 |
| Public Participation | 0 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Subtotal 10-12 credits | |
SPRING
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Energy Regulation | 3 |
| Environment Economics | 3 |
| Elective, Clinic, or Externship | 4-6 |
| Negotiation and Consensus Building | 0 |
| Subtotal 10-12 credits | |
SUMMER
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Elective | 1-2 |
| Elective | 1-2 |
| Subtotal 11-13 | |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
| Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 2
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Energy Law and Policy | 3 |
| Building a Professional Identity | 0 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Energy Regulation | 3 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 2
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Environmental Economics | 3 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Energy Elective | 3 |
| Negotiation & Consensus Building | 0 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 2
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
| Public Participation | 0 |
| Subtotal 2 credits | |
YEAR 2, FALL TERMS 1 & 2
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| MERL Externship and/or Energy Research Project | 8 |
| Subtotal 8 credits | |
YEAR 2, SPRING TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 3 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 2, SPRING TERM 2
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 3 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
YEAR 2, SUMMER TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 3 |
| Subtotal 3 credits | |
Alumni
Master of Energy Regulation and Law (MERL)
Autumn Proudlove MERL'13 
Policy Analyst, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
Autumn Proudlove, is a Policy Analyst at the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, working on two U.S. Department of Energy projects- the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) and the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership.
Jonathan Willson MERL'15 
Business Development Manager, Capital Group
Jonathan Willson is the Business Development Manager at Capital Group. In his role, Jonathan works to manage the development and acquisition of utility-scale wind and solar renewable power generation assets in the United States .