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Environmental Law
To successfully navigate—and influence—the use, management, and protection of the environment and its natural resources, a solid understanding of environmental law and regulations is essential. This is true whether you work in the private sector, for a government agency, or with a non-governmental organization. Auburn’s Graduate Certificate in Environmental Law offers a focused course of study designed to provide that critical knowledge.
While a graduate certificate in Environmental Law is not a law degree, it equips recipients with a deeper understanding of environmental laws, their requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and the policies that shape them. This credential—and the expertise it represents—not only complements existing professional skills but can also support career advancement, further client development, and confer to new opportunities, including graduate or law school.
Key Learning Outcomes
Issues of environmental law permeate virtually every aspect of the state and national economy, and the consistent evolution of this field of law requires that professionals working with natural resources possess not only knowledge of environmental law and regulation but also an understanding of the policies and processes underlying it.
The Environment Law program at Auburn University is designed to:
- Enhance students’ understanding of the American legal system.
- Help students better understand the policies behind, and processes by which, environmental laws and regulations are enacted and implemented.
- Provide students with information on processes and practices relevant to compliance with environmental laws.
- Improve students’ critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.
- Prepare students to take on new professional responsibilities (and perhaps pursue further higher education opportunities).
Requirements
The Environmental Law graduate certificate is designed to advance the level of knowledge and skills for individuals interested in issues related to the current laws governing environmental protection, natural resource management, sustainable development, and land-use planning. To obtain an Environmental Law certificate, students must complete fifteen (15) credit hours of online coursework. FORY 6540 Environmental Law (3 credit hours) and FORY 6550 Property Law (3 credit hours) are required classes. Students then choose an additional three electives from the list below.
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORY 6540 | Environmental Law (required) | 3 | X | X | |
| FOWS 6450 | Conflict and Collaboration in Natural Resource Management | 3 | X | ||
| FORY 6550 | Property Law (required) | 3 | X | ||
| NATR 6310 | Environmental Ethics | 3 | |||
| NATR 6450 | Coastal Law | 3 | X | ||
| NATR 6560 | Energy Law | 3 | X | ||
| FOWS 6270 | Natural Resource Policy | 3 | X | X |
Enrollment
To participate in the Environmental Law certificate program, students must apply to the Auburn University Graduate School. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
Entrance to the certificate program and the Auburn Graduate School requires a 2.75 GPA. However, exceptions can be made if sufficient justification for the exception is provided to the CFWE Graduate Program Office.
Graduate certificate applicants are required to submit an online application to be admitted as a non-degree student, pay the online application fee ($60 for domestic students and $70 for international students), and submit transcripts for the highest degree they currently hold. International applicants must also submit an English proficiency score.
Students may enroll three times per year to begin their coursework in the spring, summer, or fall semesters. All application materials must be received at least 45 days prior to the start of the semester. For deadlines and other details, visit Graduate Admissions.
Fees
The Environmental Law graduate certificate program requires 15 credit hours, each at $504, for a total cost of $7,560. Please be aware, students pursuing graduate certificates are not eligible to receive financial aid.
Need help getting started?
For guidance regarding curriculum choices, admissions policies, and deadlines, please contact Dr. Jessica Daniel at jrd0084@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1077 or submit a request for information about our online programs.
Now Accepting Applications
Through distance education and online learning, our expert faculty prepare students to address complex natural resources-related topics and issues that are highly impactful to our society and environment. Our curriculum is convenient and flexible for students of diverse academic backgrounds who wish to advance professionally.
Request Information Packet
Quick Facts
- May be completed in less than 3 years
- A fraction of the cost of a graduate degree
- Only 15 credit hours required
- Credit may be applied to a graduate degree
- No GRE required for enrollment
- Enrollment open spring, summer and fall!
