Lewis & Clark’s environmental law program is considered one of the best in the United States. Students can access this world-class program in person or 100% online through flexible, rigorous LLM (Master of Laws) and MSL (Master of Studies in Law) degrees designed for different goals and different stages of professional life.
With so many environmental law programs available, what truly makes Lewis & Clark different?
It’s the combination of place, mission, faculty excellence, program flexibility, community, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered education.
A Mission Built for Environmental Leadership
Environmental law is a rapidly evolving field that requires adaptability, creativity, and ethical leadership. These values are at the heart of Lewis & Clark and its mission to create a supportive, innovative, intellectually rigorous learning environment that:
- Centers students
- Fosters inclusion and belonging
- Encourages innovation and experimentation
- Values justice and public service
- Emphasizes both legal theory and practical skill
- Helps students develop strong professional identities
Student-Centered, World-Renowned Faculty
At Lewis & Clark, students come first. The supportive and collegial culture is one of the most-cited reasons students choose and love this program. Whether on campus or online, students are welcomed into a community that values diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue on current pressing environmental issues.
Lewis & Clark faculty are distinguished by their interdisciplinary expertise, integrating environmental law with fields such as administrative law, animal law, tribal law, land use, climate policy, and energy. They give students a holistic, systems-based understanding of environmental governance, and they teach from deep, real-world experience gained through litigation, international work, research, and policy reform. Complementing the full-time faculty, L&C also brings in 10–20 adjunct professors each year who are practicing leaders in the field and offer seminars shaped by current legal challenges.
In-Person and 100% Online LLM & MSL Programs
One of the most significant differences between L&C and other top environmental law programs is that students can pursue their degree fully online, fully in person, or through a combination of both, without compromising quality.
Studying on campus offers an in-depth, experiential experience. Students benefit from proximity to federal/state agencies, NGOs, environmental litigators, energy organizations, and sustainability innovators. Lewis & Clark’s campus delivers a vibrant community with live classes, events, faculty interaction, conference opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging.
Students do not have to relocate or pause careers to receive a top-ranked environmental law education, though. Lewis & Clark’s online programs are intentionally built for digital delivery, offering the same quality, support, and faculty access as the on-campus experience. Standout features of the fully online format include:
- 100% asynchronous with optional live engagement
- Ideal for working professionals anywhere in the world
- Same faculty, same rigor, same degree
- Dedicated advisors and responsive technical support
- Virtual office hours and interactive learning
- Digital networking and professional community-building
LLM vs. MSL: Degrees With Distinct Purposes
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) at Lewis & Clark is designed for professionals who want a solid grounding in environmental, natural resources, and energy law to enhance their work in fields such as sustainability, environmental science, public policy, conservation, wildlife biology, energy, and corporate or governmental roles. The program provides a practical understanding of how environmental laws and regulations function in real-world settings, without requiring a JD or bar exam.
Offered both in person and 100% online, the MSL combines flexibility with academic rigor, giving professionals the ability to deepen their legal knowledge while continuing their careers. With access to renowned faculty, courses, and experiential opportunities, MSL candidates gain valuable insight into environmental governance and legal frameworks that directly support their professional goals.
The Master of Laws (LLM) in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law at Lewis & Clark is designed for U.S. and international attorneys seeking advanced specialization in one of the nation’s top-ranked environmental law programs. Pursued on campus or in a fully online format, the LLM provides rigorous academic training, exposure to emerging legal challenges, and unparalleled opportunities to learn from leading scholars and practitioners in the field.
Students deepen their expertise across areas such as pollution control, climate policy, wildlife protection, energy law, and natural resource management while gaining practical experience through clinics, externships, and interdisciplinary coursework. The LLM is ideal for attorneys aiming to elevate their practice, transition into environmental work, influence policy, or pursue academic or international career paths, all supported by personalized advising and a global alumni network.
A Curriculum Built for Modern Environmental Challenges
Lewis & Clark’s environmental law curriculum combines foundational doctrine, emerging issues, and a wide range of specialized electives. Required courses include Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Emerging Topics in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law, and, for international and MSL students, Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law and Legal Studies.
Electives cover areas such as climate law, energy, water, wildlife, international law, environmental justice, pollution control, hazardous waste, and natural resources, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. The Emerging Topics course, for example, is updated each semester to address real-time developments in environmental law and policy, and includes an opportunity for students to publish a blog on a current environmental issue.
Career Services and a Global Alumni Network
Lewis & Clark’s Career Services provides comprehensive support to both in-person and online students, offering one-on-one advising, resume and interview coaching, access to employer connections, networking opportunities, and guidance tailored to each student’s environmental law career goals. Graduates join an active global alumni network, with professionals working across federal and state agencies, international organizations, NGOs and advocacy groups, energy and climate policy organizations, law firms, and corporate environmental departments, as well as academia, journalism, and research.
At Lewis & Clark, environmental law education is exceptional in that it’s a community, a purpose, a global network, and a place where your career and passion for the environment can truly grow.
Learn more and apply now.