The agreement provides that UD students who have earned bachelor's degrees and who meet VLS entrance requirements will be guaranteed admission into the law school's juris doctor, master's or joint juris doctor/master's programs.
"Our agreement creates an exciting and unique pathway for our students to pursue their passion for environmental issues and policies," said UD Provost Domenico Grasso. "Our partnership with Vermont Law School's top-ranked environmental law program is emblematic of our continued and strong commitment to excellence."
VLS President and Dean Marc Mihaly visited Delaware last month and met with UD administrators, faculty members and students.
"We are truly excited about this partnership, especially given the strong commitment to environmental science at the University of Delaware," said Mihaly. "It aligns our mutual strengths."
The agreement, signed by Mihaly and Grasso, is now in effect.
To be accepted by Vermont Law School to its juris doctor or juris doctor/master's programs, UD applicants must have a cumulative grade point average—as calculated by the LSAC Credential Assembly Service—that is equal to or exceeds the median GPA of the first-year juris doctor class in residence at VLS at the time of the application. Also, the UD applicant must have a current LSAT score that is equal to or exceeds the median LSAT score of the first-year juris doctor class at VLS.
UD applicants to the master's program must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and two letters of recommendation from UD faculty.
UD's pioneering research has sustained its reputation as an institution on the vanguard of energy and environmental science. UD breakthroughs in photovoltaics, wind power, energy storage, fuel cells, catalysts and composites have received global attention. The university offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs.
Vermont Law School provides students with more environmental law classes than any other law school in the nation. Internationally recognized faculty, courses, and research focus on climate change, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water, land use, the rapidly growing Asian Pacific region, and more. For more information about environmental programs at Vermont Law School, including degrees and clinical training, visit the Environmental Law Center online at vermontlaw.edu/ELC, email Anne Mansfield Linehan at alinehan@vermontlaw.edu or call 802-831-1287.
Photo by Lane McLaughlin