LLM in Water & Environmental Law
Sacramento, USA
LLM
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, On-Campus
Key Summary
The LLM in Water & Environmental Law will prepare you to serve the diverse needs of businesses and developers, farmers and ranchers, non-profit organizations, and public agencies at every level from local to international.
Program Highlights
- Experience first-hand observation and participation in solving complex relevant real issues.
- Enjoy small class sizes.
- Take advantage of our mentoring and career development resources.
- Obtain special assistance with course selection and class success.
- Online option*
* Online courses are pending WSCUC approval and ABA acquiescence.
The Water Resources Law graduate program emphasizes interdisciplinary natural resources classes; simulations and case studies; a robust field placement experience; and advanced substantive law course work. The combination of natural resources science, technology, and economics, with strong legal coursework and hands-on training, makes this program unique among other natural resources law graduate degrees. There are two courses of study.
Both tracks of the 24-unit LLM in Water Resources Law involve one-year (two semesters) to two-year (three or four semesters) courses of study. You have the option to take all courses online* or to enroll in the in-person program with some courses offered online.
U.S. Law Track
This track focuses on issues affecting the United States. It is designed for students with a law degree to gain expertise in this growing field of environmental and natural resources law.
Required Courses (14 units)
- Administrative Law, 3 Units
- Environmental Practice, 3 Units
- Science & Policy of Water Law (course typically offered every other year), 2 Units
- Water Resources Law, 3 Units
Elective Courses*
(10 units — Some electives may not be offered every year. Please check the current course schedule for an updated list.)
- California Environmental Cases & Places, 1 Unit
- California Initiative Seminar, 2 Units
- Environmental Law, 3 Units
- Graduate-Level Directed Research, 1 to 2 Units
- International Water Resources Law Seminar, 3 Units
- Land Use Planning, 2 Units
- LL.M Master's Thesis, 3 to 6 Units
- Local Agency Practice, 2 Units
- Mediation, 2 to 3 Units
- Municipal Innovation Seminar, 2 Units
- Natural Resources Law, 3 Units
- Natural Resources, Water or Environmental Law Externships, 3 to 4 Units
- Negotiations & Settlements, 2 to 3 Units
- Ocean and Coastal Law, 2 or 3 Units
- Representing Local Agencies, 1 Unit
- Science & Policy of Water Law (Course typically offered every other year), 2 Units
* The director may approve other courses as electives on a case-by-case basis. The director may also waive some of the course requirements (and not units) if the student has taken a similar course prior to enrollment at McGeorge.
International Track
For law graduates interested in pursuing careers in government, non-governmental organizations, or private law firms dealing with international water and environmental issues. This program focuses on the unique laws, policies, and political dynamics as it applies to watercourses and other natural resources that are shared by two or more nations.
Required Courses (14 units)
- Administrative Law, 3 Units
- Environmental Practice, 3 Units
- Science & Policy of Water Law (course typically offered every other year), 2 Units
- Water Resources Law, 3 Units
Elective Courses*
(10 units — Some electives may not be offered every year. Please check the current course schedule for an updated list.)
- California Environmental Cases & Places, 1 Unit
- California Initiative Seminar, 2 Units
- Environmental Law, 3 Units
- Graduate-Level Directed Research, 1 to 2 Units
- International Water Resources Law Seminar, 3 Units
- Land Use Planning, 2 Units
- LL.M Master's Thesis, 3 to 6 Units
- Local Agency Practice, 2 Units
- Mediation, 2 to 3 Units
- Municipal Innovation Seminar, 2 Units
- Natural Resources Law, 3 Units
- Natural Resources, Water or Environmental Law Externships, 3 to 4 Units
- Negotiations & Settlements, 2 to 3 Units
- Ocean and Coastal Law, 2 or 3 Units
- Representing Local Agencies, 1 Unit
- Science & Policy of Water Law (Course typically offered every other year), 2 Units
* The director may approve other courses as electives on a case-by-case basis. The director may also waive some of the course requirements (and not units) if the students have taken a similar course prior to enrollment at McGeorge.
Fast Track
This accelerated program is available to McGeorge JD students for both the U.S. Law Track and International Track of the Water & Environmental Law LLM degree.
The Fast Track JD/LLM in Water & Environmental Law affords students the opportunity to earn both degrees on an accelerated timeline. Fast Track students may apply up to 12 credits of JD coursework towards their LLM degree in Water & Environmental Law, meaning the LLM degree may be completed in just one additional semester of full-time study or a year of part-time study. Fast track students may specialize in either U.S. or international water and environmental law.
Program Requirements
The Fast Track LLM is an executive education program designed for recent McGeorge graduates. Courses are offered during evenings for the working professional. McGeorge JD students can apply for the Fast Track program and are encouraged to consider this option during academic planning. The Fast Track LLM degree requires:
- 24 units of Water & Environmental Law study, up to 12 units of which are completed as part of the JD degree
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale
Courses Include
- Administrative Law
- Environmental Law
- Environmental Practice
- International Environmental Law
- International Water Resources Law Seminar
- Natural Resources Law
- Ocean and Coastal Law
- Water Resources Law
- Water or Environmental Field Placement
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