Master of Studies in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law (MSL)

Note: Please also refer to the registration letter sent to you by the Program Director for details on registration and the MSL Program. MSL students should also review all of the “What’s What” Student Handbook as all general law school policies applicable to JD students also apply to MSL students, except where noted.

General Program Requirements

The Master of Studies in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law (MSL) is designed for students whose current jobs or future career plans would benefit from the study of environmental law and natural resources law, but who do not desire a law degree. The MSL program requires completion of 26 semester hours of credit which includes a required 2-credit Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law and Legal Studies course designed to help prepare students for study in a law school environment. Absent unusual circumstances, we require students to attend this preparatory course in their first semester. The program can be completed in two semesters or spread over three years.

MSL students have the following curriculum requirements:

•Total of 26 credit hours (minimum)

•Required Courses: Administrative Law, Environmental Law, and Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law and Legal Studies. International students are not required to take Administrative Law.

•For the remainder of their credits, students may choose from courses offered during the regular year and during the summer, with a few exceptions such as clinics, law review, and moot court experiences. There are some internship and externship opportunities appropriate for MSL students. Students will select their classes in consultation with and approval by the Program Director or Assistant Director.

•At least 18 of the 26 total credits must be in environmental courses (there will be a limited opportunity for MSL students to take a few credits outside of the environmental curriculum if approved by the Program Director or Assistant Director). All classes listed as environmental/natural resources/energy law classes in the law school’s registration materials, including summer environmental classes, count toward the 18 “environmental credits”, including, for MSL students, Administrative Law and Environmental Law and the 2-credit Introductory course.

Note that a student must be registered for at least 5 credits each semester to be considered a full-time MSL student for financial aid and student visa purposes.

Grading Policy and Academic Standing:

All Master of Studies students will be evaluated on a Credit/No Credit/Honors basis. When a student is being evaluated on a Credit/No Credit/Honors basis, Honors will be awarded in classes in which the Master student would otherwise have received a grade of B+ or higher.

To protect anonymity as much as possible, the Registrar will inform the relevant professor that a given exam is by a Master of Studies student. Papers are not anonymous.

MSL students are not included in the mandatory grading curve for JD students for the course.

Professors who have a qualifying MSL student in his/her class will be notified of this grading policy.

MSL students who receive two “No Credit” designations must petition the Director and Associate Dean to continue in the program. The student must provide a written explanation that demonstrates a change in circumstances that indicate the potential for success. If a student receives three or more “No Credit” designations they are ineligible to continue in the program and will be dimissed.

Tuition

MSL students are charged tuition by the credit hour. Consult the web site or program staff for current information on tuition and fees.

Leave of Absence

Students who need to take a temporary leave of absence from the program must request a leave in writing of the Program Director. The request must specify the basis for the requested leave and the estimated length of the leave. In the absence of unusual circumstances, leaves will be granted for one semester only. If the time taken off for a permitted leave is requested and granted prior to the start of the published first day of the semester, the student will not be required to pay tuition for that semester. If the leave of absence is requested and granted on or after the published first day of the semester, charges will be pro-rated according to the Policy of Charge Adjustment found elsewhere in “What’s What.”

Withdrawal

If a MSL student wishes to totally withdraw from the program (i.e., not complete the program), the student must notify the Program Director and Registrar as far in advance as possible prior to the withdrawal. The withdrawal is effective as of the date the student notifies the Registrar and Program Director. Students who withdraw prior to the start of the published first day of the semester will not be required to pay tuition for that semester. For students who totally withdraw from the program on or after the published first day of the semester, charges will be pro-rated according to the Policy of Charge Adjustment found elsewhere in “What’s What.”

Add/Drop

MSL students may add and drop courses until the second Thursday of each semester throughout hte first two weeks of school without penalty. Please see the Academic Calendar for specific dates for each semester. To avoid late charges on tuition, please pay tuition by the time it is due regardless of possible schedule changes. Your account will be adjusted if you change your schedule within the add/drop period after paying your tuition.

PLEASE NOTE the following policy on tuition adjustments for schedule changes (not withdrawals): Dropping classes during the add/drop period: Tuition reversed at 100% for dropped credits (as long as student is not dropping all credits). Dropping classes after the add/drop period ends: no reversal of tuition charges for schedule adjustment.

Insurance

All on campus MSL students are subject to the same policies on insurance as JD students. Please consult the section of this book addressing insurance, or visit the student health insurance website for details. Please note that you must be a registered student to be eligible for the college’s insurance.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the MSL program, please reach out to the Environmental Law program at 503-768-6649 or elaw@lclark.edu.

You may also visit the website at: http://law.lclark.edu/programs/environmental_and_natural_resources_law/degrees/master_of_studies/

Updated 10/4/24