Master of Legal Studies in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law

The Master of Legal Studies in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law is open to applicants with an undergraduate or graduate degree (non-law). This field has never been more critical, bringing together complex legal, business, and policy-making decisions.

The MLS in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law provides a world-leading course of graduate study and experience for students seeking greater understanding of these issues, and their associated challenges and opportunities. Students can immerse themselves in classes on mining natural resources, and energy law, and related fields, studying alongside law students.

  • Courses in mining law, natural resources law, energy law, water law, and sustainability.
  • Experiential education.
  • Access to classes at the Colorado School of Mines, the Daniels College of Business, and the Korbel School of International Studies.
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  • Degree Requirements

    Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law MLS candidates are required to complete 24 credits. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 to remain in good standing.

    A full-time student may earn the degree in one academic year (or over 2 consecutive semesters); a part-time student may earn the degree in 2 years. Program time limit is 3 years from the time of matriculation. 

    Required Courses

    All students entering the program are required to complete either:
    Environmental Law (L4220) (3 credits) or Natural Resources Law (L4450) (3 Credits)

    All MLS students must also complete Introduction to the American Legal System (L4064) (2 credits)

    The remaining electives credits (19 credits) can be completed by choosing courses from the over forty courses in advanced degree programs in both international and domestic issues. For the remaining elective course requirement, students will customize their course of study to meet their individual professional goals.

    Capstone requirement

    Students must complete a Capstone requirement by submitting a written product of at least 15-25 pages on an appropriate legal subject and with a significant legal research component, approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate and International Legal Programs (either through an elective course or by registering for a 2-3 credit Directed Research project). Students must submit an approved Capstone Completion form to the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of the final examination period for the student's term of intended graduation.

  • External Courses

    While working in the advanced degree program, you may extend your academic credentials by taking additional credited courses offered outside the College of Law. Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Program students may take up to six credit hours at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and Daniels College of Business, or at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. LLM, MLS, and JD students may also participate in one of our inter-university exchanges.

    Josef Korbel School of International Studies (Korbel)

    The Josef Korbel School of International Studies has an internationally renowned curriculum of graduate studies programs that attract students from many countries. Korbel prepares students for positions in government service, international organizations, and international business. Students gain expertise in a general area of international relations, such as international politics, comparative politics, political theory, and international economics.
     

    The Daniels College of Business

    The Daniels College of Business Administration provides programs in business and commercial law. Many Korbel and Daniels faculty members and associates have experience within the field of international natural resources studies.
     

    Colorado School of Mines

    The University of Denver Sturm College of Law and the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) have had a long and successful relationship, offering law students interested in a career in natural resources and environmental law the opportunity to pursue a graduate-level degree at CSM jointly with their JD degree at the University of Denver. LLM and MLS students in the International Natural Resources and Environmental Law Graduate Studies program also may take CSMcourses. The Colorado School of Mines is just twenty minutes from the Sturm College of Law campus.

    The Colorado School of Mines was established in the late 1800s and is regarded as preeminent among universities worldwide, offering courses in engineering, economics, geology, petroleum, environment, and other earth science disciplines. CSM’s departments of Geophysics and Resource Economics are considered among the finest in the world. The school maintains its own “working laboratory” mine in nearby Idaho Springs, and a geological and petroleum camp near Pueblo, Colorado.

The environmental master’s program was instrumental in expanding my knowledge of environmental law and provided an important and invaluable foundation and starting point—in my case, pursuing a PhD in environmental policy. I really enjoyed my time in the program and learned a great deal from knowledgeable faculty. I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden or develop their knowledge of environmental law.

Marie Loeffelholz, PhD, MLS (Master of Legal Studies ’16)
Marie Loeffelholz

#21 ranked program in the nation U.S. News & World Report

#6 greenest law school The National Jurist

A+ practical training preLaw Magazine

Message from the Associate Dean of Graduate and International Legal Programs

Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in a city that is home to a robust mining and energy industry, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law’s Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Program will provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in studies and experiential opportunities and build your network beyond graduation.  Join our world-renowned faculty to take courses in mining law, natural resources, law, energy law, water law, and related fields while also learning critical skills for the practice of law in this complex and diverse field.

We look forward to having you part of our community.

Annecoos Wiersema
Associate Dean of Graduate and International Legal Programs
Catherine Boggs Endowed Faculty Research Scholar
Professor of Law

Denver Law Graduate Programs Contact

 
Wiersema

Annecoos Wiersema

Associate Dean of Graduate & International Legal Programs

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