Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law Master’s program at Indiana University-Bloomington

The Maurer School of Law environmental program is the right choice as you plan your career in environmental law.

Watch a video our environmental law program.

All environmental law courses are offered at least once every two years, so that all students have a chance to take them during their second or third year.

Topics for the advanced seminar change each semester. Recent topics include toxic torts, environmental justice, and Superfund.

The Conservation Law Clinic allows second and third-year students to work with staff attorneys of the Conservation Law Center, Inc. to provide legal services to non-profit organizations and other clients in support of natural resource conservation. Students gain specific knowledge of laws relating to the work they do on particular conservation issues. The clinic presents opportunities for general skills development in research, advocacy, legislative drafting, and administrative practice. Students also gain experience in the broader application of non-legal disciplines by working with experts in the biological sciences, ecology, agriculture, and forestry.

The Washington Public Interest Program, a semester-long externship in Washington, DC, offers students credit for their work in non-profit and government agency internships. It also helps students establish a network of Washington attorneys in their field.

The law school regularly hosts interdisciplinary policy workshops on important problems that cross the boundary between science and law. Students have the opportunity to participate in the workshops through advanced seminars that are taught during the semester in which the workshop occurs. Students help organize the workshop and study the subject so that they can participate in round table discussions with the invited academics and policymakers.

Students seeking depth in environmental science or policy analysis can pursue a joint degree with SPEA. This four-year degree program leads to a JD and either a Master of Science in Environmental Science or a Master of Public Affairs degree.

Many Indiana Law graduates will practice environmental law in familiar ways, such as advising clients, negotiating agreements, and defending and prosecuting administrative and judicial actions. They find jobs all over the country, practicing in law firms on their own in the legal departments of governments, business, or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

An increasing number of our graduates do not practice law in these familiar ways. Some, especially alumni of the joint degree program in environmental law, are administrators responsible for environmental regulatory programs in the public sector or for regulatory compliance in the private sector. Others are consultants who are hired for their scientific or technical expertise in addition to their legal knowledge advocates who urge legislatures or agencies to approach environmental issues in particular ways environmental mediators whose work spans the range of environmental concerns from global warming to endangered species, pollution control and the cleanup of hazardous waste.

The Environmental Law Society advocates for students and for the environment, working to enhance the academic experience, clinical opportunities, and career options for students interested in environmental law. The society has fielded several successful teams in the national environmental moot court competition.

In addition, up to six hours of course work in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs can be counted toward a JD degree.

The natural beauty of the IU campus and the hilly forests of Southern Indiana are conducive to environmental law study. Along with the Law School and SPEA, the university hosts many departments that actively examine environmental issues. With the Hoosier National Forest just a bike ride away, many students find the perfect balance of work and play.

The City of Bloomington Envrionmental Commission advises the city on how its actions and policies can preserve and enhance the quality of Bloomington environment.