Environmental Law MSL Admissions
The information below is specific to our in-person program. For details regarding our online MSL, please see our online Environmental Law MSL program site.
We are now accepting applications for the in-person MSL Program for the 2025-2026 academic year! Submit your application here.
Lewis & Clark’s Environmental Law Master’s program requires completion of 26 semester hours of credit. The program can be completed in two semesters or spread over three years. Absent unusual circumstances, we require students to take the Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law and Legal Studies course designed to help prepare students for study in a law school environment. In addition to this introductory course, the program requires students to take Administrative Law and Environmental Law. MSL students completing the degree in person can choose from a wide variety of environmental law courses for the remainder of the credits.
What to learn more? Request more information about our in person MSL program here.
MSL Program Qualifications
Admission to the Environmental Law MSL program is competitive. Applicants must hold or obtain by the start of their matriculation a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or international institution. Neither an LSAT nor GRE score is required to apply.
Applications are evaluated holistically. Factors taken into consideration include an applicant’s scholarly capacity, academic performance, work history, strength of references, and engagement with environmental law or advocacy issues. We welcome applications from international applicants who wish to learn more about environmental law in the U.S. legal system and how the U.S. framework compares to and can help to effect change in other jurisdictions.
Application MaterialsApplicants are asked to supply:
- A statement of interest (about 200 words);
- A writing sample (5-7 pages);
- A resume or CV;
- Transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended; and
- 2-3 letters of recommendation.
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Demonstration of English proficiency for international applicants whose native language is not English. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:
- if English was the primary language of their university education and the official language of the country in which the university is located;
- if English was the primary language of their university education and if their university is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency;
- a minimum IELTS score of 8; or
- a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 100.
Application Deadlines
We admit students on a rolling basis and encourage applicants to file earlier in order to process financial aid and select courses before the start of term.
Please note that MSL students are graded on a Credit/No-Credit or Honors basis. Credits in the MSL program do not transfer to a JD program.
Applications for Spring 2025 are due November 15th, 2024 for domestic or online students.
International Student Deadlines:
The in-person Environmental Law MSL program admits international MSL students for the Fall term only. The application deadline is April 1st of that year. If it is past this deadline, you are welcome to start in the online program and then switch to in person for the next fall semester.
Admissions Decisions
The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once a complete application is received, you should be notified of a decision within three weeks.
Tuition and Fee Information
Tuition for the on-campus MSL program for the 2024-25 academic year is $2181 per credit, or $56,706 for 26 credits. *The actual cost in any semester depends on the number of credits a student takes. In addition, a fee of $1906/semester for health insurance should be calculated into academic expenses, along with a book allowance of about $800 per semester. Students should also anticipate a budget of $13,000 for living expenses per semester. Please visit our Law School Tuition and Fees web-page for the most current information about tuition, fees and living expenses. All tuition and fees are subject to change on an annual basis. Federal financial aid (in the form of loans) is available to qualified U.S. students.
International students are encouraged to explore funding options with their governments or private foundations.
Tuition Awards Available
A limited number of tuition awards are available to outstanding U.S. and international students based on merit and need. If you are applying for the MSL program (online or in-person) and would like to be considered for a partial tuition award or scholarship, please send an email to elaw@lclark.edu.
Federal Financial Aid
If you intend to apply for federal financial aid, please do not wait to be admitted or registered to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) form (fafsa.gov) as financial aid decisions may take some time to process. Instructions and more information can be found here.
Questions
If you have additional questions about our admissions process, please contact the Environmental Law Program Coordinator at elaw@lclark.edu.
Apply Now for the In Person Program
To learn more about the distance learning MSL program or to apply visit the online MSL webpage.
Program Reflections from Recent MSL Graduates:
Where Our Alumni Are Now:
Teri Tracy ’25 is the Eastern Sierra Policy Coordinator at Mono Lake Committee
Sami Godlove ’23 is a Field Associate at Oregon Wild.
Kimberly Kosa ’17 is the Development Director at Wild Salmon Center in Portland, Oregon.
Morgan Gratz-Weiser ’16 is the Deputy Legislative Director for the Office of Governor Tina Kotek
Licia Sahagun ’17 is Executive Director of Wild Whatcom in Bellingham, Washington.
Haley (Blake) Lutz ’15 is the Executive Director at the Coos Watershed Association. Prior to that, she served as a coordinator with the Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watersheds Council on the Oregon coast.
We look forward to hearing from interested applicants. For more information please contact the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Program, at elaw@lclark.edu.