McGeorge School of Law’s LLM in Water & Environmental Law is designed for legal professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of environmental, water, natural resources, and policy-related legal issues while maintaining the flexibility to continue working professionally.
An LLM allows attorneys to gain comprehensive knowledge, expand expertise, gain new career opportunities with a focused degree, build valuable connections, and conduct research. McGeorge’s program provides opportunities for attorneys to expand their professional network and engage with peers working across a wide range of legal and regulatory sectors.
A Flexible Program for Working Attorneys
Designed for working attorneys, the LLM is available fully online or on campus and can be completed on a part-time schedule. Most students take two courses per semester, making it possible to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments.
Required Courses in the Water & Environmental Law LLM:
- Executive Brand & Administrative State. Explores regulatory institutions and processes at the state and federal levels, with a focus on the relationship between the executive branch, the legislature, and the courts.
- Legislatures and Lawmaking: Explores legislative institutions and lawmaking processes in state and federal government, as well as basic principles of judicial review of legislative action.
- Water Resources Law: introduces the legal principles that control water allocation for human and environmental purposes, taught via online exercises such as lectures, readings, videos, discussions, and research.
- Environmental Law: A survey of legal principles and policies relating to protection and enhancement of the physical environment.
Elective Courses include:
- Water & Environmental Justice: Explore challenges and opportunities in meeting the goal of providing a healthy environment and safe, affordable, accessible, and reliable water supplies to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, national origin, and education level
- Negotiations: Examines the theoretical, ethical, and practical skills essential to being an effective advocate in negotiations involving legal disputes.
- Local Government and Housing Law: This online asynchronous course provides a practical overview of local government law through the lens of housing law and policy.
- And more
The curriculum emphasizes practical legal analysis, advanced writing, and policy-focused thinking that attorneys can apply immediately in practice. Explore the full curriculum and elective offerings to see how you can tailor the program to your professional interests.
Studying Environmental and Water Law in California’s Capital
McGeorge School of Law’s location in Sacramento offers a singular connection to government agencies, policymakers, and legal issues shaping environmental and water law in California and beyond. As California continues to lead conversations around water resources, climate policy, sustainability, and environmental regulation, students benefit from studying within a legal and policy environment closely tied to real-world developments.
McGeorge takes pride in a strong community, which students benefit from whether in an online or hybrid concentration. All resources are available to all students, from online databases to the on-campus library.
This LLM benefits both recent JD graduates and/or practicing attorneys. Advance in your current career in water and environmental law, or transition from a different area of law into this dynamic, expanding practice.
Interested in learning more about the online LLM in Water & Environmental Law? Contact graduatelaw@pacific.edu with any questions.