Fueling future legal leaders

Washburn Law’s oil and gas Law program stands at the forefront of legal education in this critical and dynamic field. Located in the heartland of the Kansas oil and gas industry, our program offers unparalleled access to industry leaders and experts. With nationally recognized faculty and a comprehensive curriculum, we prepare our students to excel in all facets of oil and gas law, from regulatory compliance to environmental issues. Our program not only equips you with the theoretical knowledge but also provides extensive practical experience, ensuring you are ready to make an impact from day one.

Why choose Washburn Law for oil and gas law?

A group of students talk with a law professor.

At Washburn Law, our oil and gas law program is celebrated for its national prominence, extensive curriculum, and exceptional faculty. Here are some compelling reasons to choose our program:

  • Award-winning faculty: Learn from nationally recognized professors who are leaders in oil and gas law scholarship. Our faculty’s research and expertise shape the field and provide students with the latest insights and developments.
  • Comprehensive curriculum: Our extensive course offerings cover all aspects of oil and gas law, ensuring that you receive a well-rounded education. From foundational courses to specialized topics, our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of a diverse legal landscape.
  • Real-world experience: Gain hands-on experience through externships, and other practical opportunities. Our connections with industry leaders and practitioners provide invaluable real-world insights and networking opportunities.
  • National recognition: Washburn Law's oil and gas program is known across the country. Students from various states choose Washburn for our robust program, setting a strong foundation for their legal careers in the energy sector.
  • Get involved early: From your first year, you can participate in center activities, take introductory courses and join student organizations. Early engagement ensures continuous exposure to oil and gas law throughout your law school experience, preparing you to "hit the ground running" upon graduation.
Curriculum for future industry leaders

Our oil and gas law curriculum is designed to provide both breadth and depth in this specialized field. Students can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal, regulatory, and practical aspects of oil and gas law. The curriculum includes foundational courses that build your core knowledge, as well as advanced courses that allow you to specialize in areas of interest.

Earning a certificate in oil and gas law at Washburn Law signifies your focused study and expertise in this area. The certificate program includes 16 hours of specific coursework combined with extracurricular activities, practical experiences and a writing requirement that enhances your legal education and make you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Course of study

Required: 6 hours total

  • Oil and Gas Law
  • Advanced Oil and Gas Law
Optional Curriculum Courses: Select 10 hours from a robust list of courses. 
  • Directed Research 
  • Drafting Contracts and Conveyances 
  • Energy Regulation 
  • Environmental Law 
  • Environmental Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry 
  • Externship I 
  • Externship II 
  • Federal Indian Law
  • Independent Study in Oil and Gas Law
  • International Petroleum Arbitration 
  • International Petroleum Transactions 
  • Mineral Title Examination 
  • Mining Law 
  • Natural Resources Law and Policy 
  • Oil and Gas Conservation Law and Practice
  • Oil and Gas Joint Operation 
  • Oil and Gas Taxation 
  • Public Land Law 
  • Renewable Energy Law: Wind and Solar 
  • Taxation of Business Enterprises 
  • Water Law 

Extracurricular requirement

Students must attend 100 hours of pre-approved extracurricular programing. These opportunities are  posted throughout the year and  include programs and special projects sponsored by the Oil and Gas Law Center.

Practical professional experience

Students must complete a practical professional experience where they have the opportunity to experience oil and gas law in action. This requirement may be met through an externship, internship or other work-related relationship.

Writing requirement

Students complete the upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on a pre-approved Oil and Gas Law topic.

Washburn Law has one of the most established and extensive oil and gas law programs in the nation, offering comprehensive courses that prepare students for the contemporary practice of oil and gas law. Distinguished professors and prominent scholars respected throughout academia teach the comprehensive curriculum that delves into all aspects of oil, gas and environmental law and land rights. Detailed descriptions of each of these courses, can be found in the academic catalog

Core courses

  • Oil and Gas Law
  • Advanced Oil and Gas Law
  • Mineral Title Examination
  • Energy Regulation
  • Oil and Gas Conservation Law and Practice
  • Environmental Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry
  • Oil and Gas Taxation
  • Drafting Contracts and Conveyances
  • Externship in Oil and Gas Law
  • Independent Study in Oil and Gas Law
  • Directed Research in Oil and Gas Law

Natural resources courses

The core oil and gas law curriculum is supported by a complimentary natural resources law curriculum that includes:
  • Water Rights
  • Public Land Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Federal Indian Law

In addition, our professors regularly offer supplemental learning opportunities for students through partnerships with agencies, businesses, and organizations that are at the forefront of oil and gas law and natural resources matters.

Oil & Gas Law Center

The Oil and Gas Law Center at Washburn Law serves as a hub for scholarship, practical training and professional development in the field of oil and gas law. The center fosters groundbreaking research in oil and gas law, contributing to the field’s evolving landscape. Through workshops, symposia, and lectures, students gain insights from prominent scholars and practitioners, enhancing their professional skills and knowledge, and the center connects students with a network of professionals, offering mentorship and career guidance.

Extracurricular activities to support your coursework

Student organizations

Joining student organizations helps you build relationships with peers, develop leadership skills, and deepen your understanding of oil and gas law. Our dedicated student organizations include the:

  • Agricultural Law Society
  • Environmental Law Society
  • Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Society
  • Rural Practice Organization

Learning events

Our students benefit from partnerships with three key foundations that provide support, resources, and opportunities for students to attend conferences and symposia, fostering a deeper understanding of the field.
  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
  • Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
  • Institute for Energy Law at The Center for American and International Law

Externships

Gain practical experience through externships with various organizations. Our students have interned with:

  • Kansas Corporation Commission Oil and Gas Conservation Division
  • Chevron U.S.A.