Earning a Master of Laws in Environmental Law is a long, arduous educational process that requires admission into multiple post secondary institutions. A high school diploma or GED equivalent will be required for admission.
Future L.L.M. degree holders will need a bachelor's degree. There is no specific major required, although there are certain courses that can help prepare you for a career in law. It would be helpful to take classes that enhance student's speaking and writing skills. Students will also need to become adept in reading, researching, logic and analyzing skills. Courses in communications, public speaking, government, economics, history, philosophy, mathematics and computer science are also recommended.
Before attending law school, applicants are required to pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) administered by the Law School Admission Council. Students should begin taking practice tests during their junior year of college, to familiarize themselves with the content and difficulty level of the test.
Before earning a L.L.M. degree, applicants will need to complete law school. Law school entry is based on rigorous standards, including LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, personal statement and an interview in some cases. The first year of law school is spent learning core courses, including legal writing, constitutional law, property law, contracts, civil procedure and torts. Students must also pass a course on professional responsibility. The remainder of law school is spent delving into one's chosen specialty. Those who choose environmental law can expect to learn air pollution law and policy, citizen suits, environmental economics, ethics, dispute resolution, health law and justice, federal natural resource law and administrative law. Students will also gain field experience through becoming employed at law firms, practicing in mock court and publishing articles in the school's law journal.
Upon graduation from law school, students are awarded the Juris Doctor degree, or J.D. Possessing a Juris Doctor degree is a mandatory requirement for entry to a Master's of Laws in Environmental Law program. Some L.L.M. programs also require applicants to give a statement of their purpose and participate in an interview.
Following graduation, future environmental lawyers and L.L.M degree holders will need to successfully pass the bar exam. Candidates must pass the bar exam in each state where they plan to practice law.