LLM in Environmental Law

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University was one of the first law schools in the country to develop a comprehensive and integrated curriculum in environmental law. With it came a commitment to ensure the sustainability of our natural and built environments. As the environmental program grew and prospered, it consistently achieved one of the highest rankings in the nation as an academic and action center.
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There is no fee to apply to the LLM program and generous scholarships and LLM Fellowships are available.  Fellows receive a full tuition waiver and a modest stipend to cover living expenses.

LLM in Environmental Law

Pace Law’s LLM in environmental law prepares lawyers to address the scientific, economic and political forces that shape the environment and to work for outcomes that protect our natural surroundings and promote smart and sustainable development. Over 40 environmental courses are available to satisfy the requirements for the LLM in Environmental Law as well as the scholarly research degree of Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law. The LLM program also offers three optional specializations in Global Environmental Law, Land Use and Sustainable Development Law, and Energy and Climate Change Law.

  • Global Environmental Law

    Pace is known worldwide for its Center for Environmental Legal Studies, a voting member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Pace provides such a wonderful setting in which to learn international and comparative environmental law, we are proud to offer the Specialization in Global Environmental Law within our LLM in Environmental Law.The program of study features courses especially focused on focused on environmental law from an international, transnational or comparative perspective.

    Global Environmental Law Courses
  • Land Use and Sustainable Development Law

    With the nation’s oldest and most active Land Use Law Center and a faculty that includes leading scholars in various areas of land use, green development, climate change, and sustainability law, Pace Law School offers LLM candidates the opportunity to study law and policy with renowned experts. We offer a Specialization in Land Use and Sustainable Development Law within our renowned LLM in Environmental Law curriculum. This specialization trains lawyers to confront and overcome challenges arising from the need to develop and redevelop human settlements in an environmentally sensitive, commercially viable, and ecologically sustainable manner, both domestically and internationally.

    Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Courses
  • Energy and Climate Change Law

    Pace Law School offers the Specialization in Energy and Climate Change Law within our prestigious Master of Laws (LLM) in Environmental Law curriculum. Without question, global climate change law and policy are the most discussed topics in the field of environmental law today. Graduates of this specialization are well positioned to tackle these issues.

    Energy and Climate Change Law Courses

LLM In Environmental Law General Degree Requirements

Both US-trained and international candidates must complete a minimum of 24 credits. The LLM in Environmental Law may be completed in two full-time semesters, although some students choose to take three semesters or more. Except with special permission of the Academic Dean, students must complete the LLM degree within three (3) years of matriculation. International students must complete Introduction to American Legal Systems and Introduction to US Legal Research and achieve at least a 2.33 grade point average. US-trained students must achieve a grade point average of 2.67. Unless registered in a specialized track, candidates are required to take the following courses:

Environmental Law Survey (3 credits)

Environmental Skills and Practice (4 credits)

Science for Environmental Lawyers (2 credits)

LLM candidates must complete either one major research paper or a LLM thesis.

LLM in Environmental Law - Specialization in Global Environmental Law Degree Requirements

This program of study features courses focused on environmental law from an international, transnational or comparative perspective. Courses include:

International Environmental Law (2 credits)

Comparative Environmental Law (2 credits)

United Nations Environmental Diplomacy Practicum (4 credits)

Comparative Environmental Law (Brazil) (2 credits)

Environmental Law Seminar: Human Rights and the Environment (2 credits)

Environmental Law Seminar: Law of Oceans and Coasts (2 credits)

Guided Research (1 or 2 credits)

Master of Laws in Environmental Law Thesis (6 credits)

Related international and comparative courses include:

International Law (2 credits)

Environmental Dispute Resolution (3 credits)

International Human Rights Seminar (2 credits)

LLM in Environmental Law - Specialization in Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Degree Requirements

LLM in Environmental Law – Specialization in Energy and Climate Change Law Degree Requirements

This program of study features core courses as well as courses especially developed for LLM candidates, including:

Climate Change

Disaster Law and Emergency Preparedness

Energy Law and Regulation

Environmental Justice Seminar

International Environmental Law

Environmental Law Seminar: Law of Oceans and Coasts

LLM students may also participate in one of our signature programs – the UN Diplomacy Practicum at the United Nations. Through this experiential learning course, students work two days a week at the United Nations with delegations and/or member nations, providing legal and policy support on climate change and sustainability issues.