Natural Resources Law Certificate
Students who desire to concentrate their elective course of study on the general area of natural resources law can seek a Certificate in Natural Resources Law. The Certificate is an acknowledgment by the Washburn Law Faculty that the student has successfully completed a focused course of study addressing environmental and natural resource issues frequently encountered by attorneys.
Course of Study
Required Course
Environmental Law (LW 744 - 3 hours).
Optional Courses
Twelve (12) hours selected from any of the following courses:
- Administrative Law (LW 780 - 3 hours)
- Advanced Oil and Gas Law (LW 855 - 3 hours)
- Agricultural Law (LW 706 - 2-3 hours)
- Directed Research (LW 763 - 1-3 hours)
- Energy Regulation (LW 803 - 2-3 hours)
- Externship I (LW 921 - 2-4 hours - placement approved by Certificate Advisor)
- Externship II (LW 922 - 2 hours - placement approved by Certificate Advisor)
- Hazardous Waste Regulation (LW 758 - 3 hours)
- Independent Readings in Natural Resources Law (LW 826 - 1-2 hours)
- Natural Resources Law Seminar (LW 774 - 2-3 hours)
- Oil and Gas Law (LW 740 - 3 hours)
- Public Land Law (LW 747 - 3 hours)
- Water Rights (LW 742 - 3 hours)
Writing Requirement
Complete a pre-approved upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on a Natural Resources Law topic. The upper level writing requirement may be satisfied by the Natural Resources Law Seminar, Directed Research, or an alternative writing opportunity approved in advance by the student's certificate advisor. If the writing requirement is satisfied through the Natural Resources Law Seminar, Directed Research, or other approved course, the student must receive a grade of "B" or better on any graded paper.
General Requirements
Any student interested in pursuing a Certificate in Natural Resources Law must first meet with a faculty member administering the program (Professor Duncan, Pierce, or Wadley) to declare their interest and plan their course of study. This must be done prior to completing 40 hours of study. Following the meeting the faculty member and student will complete the "Meeting Summary." This faculty member will also serve as the student's Certificate advisor and will approve any waivers or alternative courses allowed or required by the program.
The student must complete 90 hours of total law school credit and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in courses used to satisfy their Certificate requirements. Students who obtain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for courses used to satisfy their Certificate requirements will be awarded the Certificate in Natural Resources Law (with distinction).
Approved by the faculty: May 2005; revised: October 29, 2007.
Effective: January 2006
