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Environmental Law, Justice, and Sustainability Certificate

Take on the greatest challenges we are currently facing. Explore the intersection between law and sustainability and advocate for environmental justice.

Program Snapshot

JD

Graduate,

90

3 Years

Salem Campus

A law professor giving a lecture in a classroom in front of a podium

Earn a Certificate in Environmental Law

Safeguard our planet for future generations. Work within the legal system to put sustainable practices into place. Learn how you can advocate for pollution control, renewable energy, and environmental protection. Build your career prospects with our environmental law certificate program. 

Why pursue a certificate in environmental law at Willamette?

  • Career advancement. Elevate your resume by adding a certificate in environmental law to your JD. This can help you stand out when building your career as a lawyer. 
  • Opportunities to get involved. Join a variety of student groups dealing with different aspects of law. Enhance your law school education by joining Environmental Law Society or any of our other on-campus groups. 
  • Specialized courses. Gain specialized knowledge related to environmental law and sustainability. Our program offers a wide range of core and elective courses to choose from. 

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Curriculum

Our courses are designed to prepare students to take on the ever-growing challenge of protecting the planet. Learn about legal frameworks and the role of lawyers in advocacy. Core and elective courses cover everything from writing requirements to energy law and natural resource law.

  • LAW 223 Environmental Law & Policy

    Learn about environmental law and policy in context. This class involves a series of simulations to expose you to the institutions, law, and policies that create our environmental regulatory systems. The simulations will provide both professional writing experiences and opportunities to engage in oral advocacy in litigation, transactional, and policy contexts.

  • LAW 348 Sustainable Natural Resources Law

    Consider the role of law, policy, economics, and technical expertise. Explore how natural resources law and policy approaches the problem of nature conservation. Examine how environmental and natural resources law manages economic resources as well as legal doctrines that affect both conservation and economic resource utilization.

Our Certificate in Environmental Law Stands Out

Program Values

At Willamette, we are committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Our environmental law certificate will prepare you for a career fighting at the forefront of today’s most pressing challenges. Learn how the law can promote sustainability and protect natural resources.

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Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our faculty members have extensive experience in the legal field and have won awards for their service. They offer students expertise and connections that will help them elevate their career prospects. Learn from the best and prepare to advocate for environmental causes.

Ways to Get Involved with Environmental Law

Find ways to showcase your passion for sustainable development and environmental energy law. Get involved with student groups on campus to share your passion. Or, develop skills in legal research by joining one of our law journal programs. Discuss with peers how to change administrative laws to benefit the environment.

  • Environmental Law Society

    The Environmental Law Society promotes awareness and engagement with environmental issues. Members participate in events on-campus and in the community to influence the law, public policy, legislation, and justice.

  • Willamette Environmental Law Journal

    The archived Willamette Environmental Law Journal was a legal journal managed and edited by students. It published articles focusing on environmental law and sustainability policies. Both outside and student articles were eligible for publication.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a total of 14 course hours in addition to a capstone. Students can complete their capstone requirement in one of two ways: (1) complete the graduation writing requirement in a course that is both certificate-approved and GWR-approved; or (2) complete an experiential learning course that is both certificate-approved and experiential-learning-approved.

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Admission Details

Only current students can apply to our certificate program. In their online application, students must attest to their academic good standing (i.e. cumulative GPA above 2.30) and provide a 250-word personal statement explaining why they wish to pursue their certificate. The director may cap the size of the program, based on advising capacity and capstone course availability. Please contact the Program Director for further information.

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FAQs

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