The Certificate in Environmental and Oceans Law is designed to prepare students for careers in important fields like environmental law and policy, energy law, global warming and renewable energy, oceans and coastal law, and many other related areas.

The program is open to current J.D. students and consists of four components:

  • Coursework: Complete at least two of three required courses (Administrative Law, Environmental Law and Policy, and/or Oceans Law & Policy) and at least nine credits from courses related to Environmental, Ocean, and/or Maritime Law.
  • Paper: Write a paper on a topic related to environmental or oceans law.
  • Professional/Scholarly Activity: Attend at least one professional or academic conference on a topic related to environmental or oceans law.
  • Experiential Learning: Complete an externship that relates substantially to environmental or oceans law issues.

Faculty and experts involved in the Certificate Program include Charles Norchi and Anthony Moffa.

Learning Outcomes: 

Students who complete the Environmental and Oceans Law Certificate will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of laws and policies related to environmental and oceans law – domestic and international.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how environmental and oceans policy are informed by one or more other academic disciplines, and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with experts in those disciplines.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research and draft a substantial written work in Arctic, environmental, and/or oceans law.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of laws and policies related to Arctic legal claims, environmental protection, and/or ocean governance in experiential settings, including externships, employment, practicum courses, and field expeditions.