Post-JD students find unparalleled opportunities for intensive study in Vermont Law School’s Master of Laws (LLM) programs.Ranked the number one environmental law school in the country, VLS offers more environmental and energy law courses than any other U.S. law school and is nationally renowned in dispute resolution and clinical law. Graduates further define and advance their careers through the practice of law, research, teaching, or public policy.

LLM IN ENERGY LAW

The LLM in Energy Law prepares you to specialize in law and policy relating to energy use, production, and transmission.

You’ll build an intensive, practical curriculum that matches your objectives. Taught and guided by faculty affiliated with the law school's highly respected Institute for Energy and the Environment, you’ll engage in real energy law and policy work and meet and learn from energy experts who collaborate on institute projects. You’ll also complete independent research, writing, or an externship and participate in a seminar focused on advanced topics.

Full-time LLM students typically complete the program in 12 months but students have up to five years to obtain their degree. The program can be started in either the summer or fall semester.

An LLM in Energy Law can also be obtained through the online degree program.

LLM IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

The LLM in Environmental Law is designed for Juris Doctor graduates who want to focus their career on environmental law and issues including climate change, land use, natural resources, water resources, or environmental tax policy.

Students pursue a general education in environmental law or concentrate in a particular area. You’ll design an intensive, practical curriculum that matches your objectives. Degree work includes completion of a thesis, research project, teaching practicum, or externship. And you’ll participate in a graduate seminar which explores advanced research topics through discussions and lectures by environmental law scholars.

Full-time LLM students typically complete the program in 12 months but students have up to five years to obtain their degree. The program can be started in either the summer or fall semester.

An LLM in Environmental Law can also be obtained through the online degree program.

LLM IN AMERICAN LEGAL STUDIES 

Designed for students who have earned a law degree outside the United States, the LLM in American Legal Studies prepares students for bar passage and career advancement.

The LLM in American Legal Studies curriculum builds a solid foundation in U.S. law and legal systems and focuses on skills, knowledge, and perspectives essential for success in national and global practice. You’ll receive exceptional support—often one-on-one assistance—in case briefing, legal writing, exam preparation, and resume writing. A Specialist in Legal Writing can help you with English grammar, punctuation, and tone.

Vermont Law School’s renowned faculty—who are experienced in litigating major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, testifying before Congress, and leading organizations around the world—are part of a friendly and supportive community that is committed to student success.

The LLM in American Legal Studies curriculum meets all requirements to sit for the bar in New York or Washington, D.C.

LLM IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE LAW

The LLM in Food and Agriculture Law prepares you to specialize in law and policy relating to sustainable food and agriculture systems. Taught and guided by faculty affiliated with the law school's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, you will build an individual academic plan that matches your objectives. Full-time LLM students typically complete the program in 12 months but students have up to five years to obtain their degree. The program can be started in either the summer or fall semester, or online in any one of our six term start dates.

Full-time LLM students typically complete these 30-credit program in 12 months or online in 18 months. Students can take courses on a part-time basis and have up to five years to obtain their degree. The residential program can be started in either the Summer or Fall semesters.

 

Application Requirements

• · Completed application form
• · $60.00 (USD) application fee
• · Professional resume or curriculum vitae
• · Essays as described below
• · Legal writing sample, in English
• · Official transcripts from all schools attended
• · Two letters of recommendation
• · OPTIONAL OR UPON REQUEST: Official LSAT Score
• · All applicants whose native language is not English and have not lived or studied in an English-speaking country for at least two years must submit TOEFL (600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, 100 Internet-based), PTE (68) or IELTS (6.5).

 

Tuition & Fees

 

Scholarships

FOR NEW STUDENTS

Read more about scholarship opportunities available for new students including Vermont Law School Scholar Awards, Need Based Scholarships, Mission Scholarships, the Environmental Law Center International Scholarship, the George Perkins Marsh Conservation Scholarship, the First Nations Scholarship, and Distance Learning Student Scholarships.

FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Following the first year of law school, students ranking in the top 20 percent of the class with demonstrated financial need may qualify for supplemental scholarship support through Dean’s Scholarship Awards. Funding from this fund is used to supplement existing VLS scholarship awards to bring the scholarship funding up to the following levels:

GPA	amount of award but not more than existing scholarship
3.6 to 3.699	12.5%
3.7 to 3.799	25%
3.8 to 3.899	37.5%
3.9 to 4.0	50%

Summer start AJDs will be eligible for Dean’s Scholarship at the end of the fall semester.

RUBIN FELLOWSHIP

The Rubin Fellowship was established in 1985 to honor the memory of Zander Rubin, the first Director of the South Royalton Legal Clinic. The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of at least $3,000 to support a student's summer legal work on behalf of clients who are disadvantaged or are members of traditionally underrepresented groups.

CHASE FELLOWSHIP

The Chase Fellowship is awarded annually to the student, or students, whose proposed activities in the area of civil rights or public interest advocacy promise to contribute significantly to the cause of social justice. Chase Fellowships will be available to students following the completion of their first or second year at Vermont Law School. These will support full or part-time work in an appropriate legal setting.

EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION

The Vermont Law School Equal Justice Foundation is part of a network of law school organizations that promote summer internships with public interest organizations. EJF Fellowships are based entirely on voluntary contributions. These contributions support summer internships that aid traditionally underrepresented groups and address legal issues that are not receiving adequate attention.

BARRISTER'S BOOKSTORE FELLOWSHIP

Barrister's Bookstore Board of Directors awards a $2,000 fellowship to three first or second year Vermont Law School students pursuing a summer internship in the area of public interest law. As a result of the fellowship, the student is able to work for an organization that serves the public, the poor or traditionally underrepresented groups, which often offer little or no pay to legal interns. The fellowship seeks to increase awareness of the lawyer's obligation to serve the public. It also encourages students to consider careers in public service by enabling them to pursue such legal opportunities during the summer.

JONATHAN J. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP

This Fellowship has been established to honor the memory of Jonathan J. Williams, Vermont Law School Class of 1987. Through his legal career and personal life, Jonathan demonstrated unfaltering commitments to helping those most in need, to bringing justice to those for whom justice is most elusive, and to work tirelessly toward making our community more tolerant and more diverse. This fellowship provides a stipend in the amount of up to $4,000 for a worthy student to work toward the goals that Jonathan held dear, to address fundamental injustices and to build bridges between culturally diverse communities.

SUMMER FEDERAL WORK-STUDY FELLOWSHIP

The Summer Federal Work-Study Fellowship is awarded to Vermont Law School students as a way to subsidized work opportunities for our students during the summer. Prior to completing their degree(s), students may be eligible for funding to support fulltime or part-time employment during the summer months. Preference is given to rising 3rd year students. The number and amount of awards is determined by the level of funding provided by the federal government to the Law School each year. Funds received from this opportunity are expected to be used towards your educational expenses associated for the next year.

Get more information about the program at:

//www.vermontlaw.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships

 

Housing

VLS does not have student housing.

Students are responsible for securing their own housing while at Vermont Law School. To help students with their search for housing, Vermont Law School has a rental housing database comprised of rental units that local landlords have posted. The database is updated regularly and can be searched by criteria such as number of bedrooms, location, pets allowed, and cost. In late spring, landlords begin entering their rentals for the next academic year, which begins in late August.

Get more information about housing at:

//www.vermontlaw.edu/community/the-campus/housing