The Environmental Law Center assembles an exciting collection of scholars, students, and distinguished visitors to think and learn about environmental law and policy during the most glorious period of the year in northern New England. Students attending the Summer Session Program include:
- Vermont Law School students, in particular those pursuing Masters or LLM degrees, and those enrolled in the VLS joint degree programs;
- Students enrolled at other law schools and graduate institutions around the country and around the world;
- Practicing attorneys;
- Planners;
- State and federal agency personnel;
- Upper level undergraduate students, with the director's permission;
- Teachers; and
- Citizen advocates.
The approximately 35 courses offered each summer are taught by faculty from VLS and other schools, international law scholars, leaders of non-profit advocacy groups, and private practitioners. Whether a student is interested in a specific area of study—such as energy law, international environmental law, water law, land use law, or agricultural law—or wishes to pursue a multidisciplinary approach, the summer program offers a wide array of options. In addition, VLS brings four distinguished scholars to campus each summer for two-week stays, focusing on Environmental Law, Energy, International Environmental Law, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Several Media Fellows specializing in environmental issues also come to VLS each summer to take a course and share their insights. Our most recent innovation is a one-week residential component of the Distance Learning program, which has enrolled over 150 Masters and LLM students.
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Located on the bank of the scenic White River, VLS is an ideal location for students to both study and play in the summertime. Hiking, swimming, tubing, biking, and cookouts are just some of the many outdoor activities students enjoy while not in class. Students also take time to sample fine dining, arts, entertainment, and other cultural attractions available near the campus and in nearby cities and towns such as Montpelier, Burlington, Woodstock, and Hanover, NH. Students not only have an opportunity to relax and form lasting connections with one another, but also mingle with the expert lecturers who come to campus each summer. Local summer housing is available on campus and in the surrounding towns.
If you have questions about the VLS Summer Session, please contact Courtney Collins, the Assistant Director of the Environmental Law Center, at ccollins@vermontlaw.edu.
Application
Vermont Law School students (including Masters, summer-only Masters, JD/Masters, and LLM degree students) need not apply to enroll in the summer session, but instead will register for courses starting in mid-April by following instructions distributed by the Registrar's Office. Non-VLS students, including auditors, should apply to the summer session using our online form, available here: https://vermontlaw.tfaforms.net/25
Registration
View our online catalog for full registration information. Non-VLS students, including auditors, will receive an email after March 15, 2018 confirming setup of a personal VLS account and providing instructions on how to access this account. Students may then register for classes starting on their assigned dates:
VLS master's, LLMs, & 2Ls: Registration opens March 31.
VLS 1Ls: Registration opens April 3.
Non-VLS Students: Registration opens April 10.
Download the Summer 2018 Catalog
First Assignments, Syllabi, and Book List
Add/Drop Period and Refund Policy (.pdf)
Hot Topics in Environmental Law
Throughout the summer, the summer faculty, distinguished scholars, media fellows, and others offer noon-time lectures on a wide range of current issues in environmental law. Vermont Bar Association Continuing Legal Education credit is available to members of the Vermont bar who attend the Hot Topics lectures.
2017 Hot Topics in Environmental Law Brochure
View select Hot Topic Lectures on the VLS YouTube channel
Archived Recordings of 2015 - 2017 Hot Topic Lectures
Summer Resources
Looking for a place to stay? Recreational Activities? Transportation? Check out the following helpful links.
Summer Housing
Hotels, Inns, and B&Bs
Transportation Options
VLS Zip Cars
Map and Directions
Degree Information
Please note that Summer Session registration is not an application to the MELP or LLM degree programs. The links below provide information for those seeking admittance to the degree programs, including the summer's-only master's degree option.