University of Utah : S.J. Quinney College of Law

Stegner Degree Programs

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The S.J. Quinney College of Law offers nationally recognized programs in environmental and natural resource legal education at the J.D. and post-J.D. levels. Students at both levels are provided with the highest quality and most diverse education in the areas of environmental and natural resources law. Basic survey courses are taught in natural resources and environmental law. Advanced courses and seminars are offered in areas such as environmental practice, protected lands, water law, wildlife law, the environment and business, land use, regulated industries, energy and natural resources, Indian law, toxic torts, and international environmental law. Please see our Curriculum descriptions  for further information.

Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law

For J.D. students, the S.J. Quinney College of Law offers a graduate certificate for those interested in focusing their studies on environmental and natural resources law. Conferred with the J.D., the certificate allows students to demonstrate a specialized proficiency within the context of the regular J.D. program.

Detailed information about the Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law is available.

The Master of Laws in Environmental and Resource Law (LL.M.)

The LL.M. program is a full-time one-year program providing advanced training in environmental and natural resources law. Each year 6 to 12 students enroll in the program, hailing from various parts of the United States and diverse foreign countries such as Nepal, Peru, India, Croatia, Italy, and Ghana. Besides possessing excellent legal educational credentials, the students bring various professional experiences and backgrounds to their studies. Past LL.M. classes have included university professors, government officials, JAG (military) attorneys, entrepreneurs, practicing attorneys, and recent J.D. graduates. The LL.M. Application is available in portable document format (pdf) and requires the free reader from Adobe.

Master of Laws in Environmental and Resource Law

To receive the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, students must complete a total of 24 semester credit hours.

Students holding a U.S. law degree are required to complete:

• a minimum of 17 credits in courses from an approved list of natural resources, environmental, international, and related law courses, seminars, and clinical work;
• at least one seminar requiring a major research and writing project (which may count towards the 17 credit minimum); and
• the LL.M. seminar (2 credit hours).

Students with a foreign law degree are required to complete:

• an introduction to U.S. law course (2 credits);
• one basic U.S. law course (3 to 5 credits);
• a minimum of 15 credits from the approved list of natural resources and related courses;
• at least one seminar requiring a major research and writing project (which may count towards the 15 credit minimum); and
• the LL.M. seminar (2 credit hours).

A thesis option is also available. An overall grade point average of B- or better is required for graduation. Persons requesting enrollment in the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law LL.M. program must submit the following items by January 31 of the year the individual seeks admission:

• Completed application and fee
• Three letters of evaluation (at least one from an academic source)
• Statement of experience and interest
• Official undergraduate and graduate (including J.D.) transcripts

For students whose native language is not English, an official TOEFL report from the Educational Testing Service (copies of the TOEFL report are not acceptable)

Applications for admission can be obtained from the law school's Office of Admission and Financial Aid .

Office of Admission and Financial Aid
332 South 1400 East, Room 101
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0730
Phone: 801.581.6833
Fax: 801.581.6897
Email: admissions@law.utah.edu

Factors considered in the selection of LL.M. candidates include high academic performance, practice experience, work in related fields, and demonstrated potential for graduate level work. A prior law degree (J.D. or equivalent) is a requirement.