Agricultural law
Certificate, graduate
Overview
Related Topics
Protecting the land. Supporting agriculture. Shaping policy.
Build the legal skills needed to address the complex challenges facing modern agriculture.
Food, water, land and natural resources are at the center of some of today's most important legal and policy challenges. University of Idaho College of Law's agricultural law certificate provides J.D. students with specialized knowledge of the laws, regulations and public policies that shape agricultural production and rural communities.
Through focused coursework and applied learning experiences, you’ll examine the legal issues affecting farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, landowners and policymakers. Topics may include water rights, land use, environmental regulation, food systems, natural resources and the complex regulatory frameworks that influence agricultural operations at the local, state and federal levels.
What makes this certificate distinctive is its practical approach to one of the nation's most vital industries. You’ll develop an understanding of the legal challenges facing modern agriculture while building practice-ready knowledge that can differentiate you in the job market. The certificate complements a J.D. degree and prepares graduates for careers in private practice, government agencies, agricultural organizations, natural resource management, regulatory compliance, public policy and related fields.
This law certificate could be a good fit if you:
- Are interested in agriculture, food systems, natural resources or rural communities
- Want to understand the laws and policies that govern food production and land use
- Enjoy exploring the intersection of law, business, environmental issues and public policy
- Are considering a career serving farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, landowners or government agencies
- Want to develop specialized legal knowledge that can help you stand out to employers in the agricultural and natural resources sectors
Boise-based law students may earn a graduate certificate in agricultural law but must be enrolled as a University of Idaho J.D. student.
Moscow-based graduate students may request to pursue this certificate, but enrollment preference will be given to students already pursuing a J.D.
Turn your interest in agriculture into legal expertise
Curriculum
The agricultural law certificate is a 15-credit program included as part of your J.D. combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the practice area.
Explore program courses in the University Catalog
Clubs and involvement opportunities
- Agricultural Law Society—This student-led group fosters conversation around legal issues in agriculture, connects you with professionals in the field and promotes public understanding of agriculture’s role in society.
Career outcomes
Costs and funding
Pursuing your law degree and embedded certificate at University of Idaho offers exceptional value and a nationally respected education. No matter where you’re from, you’ll pay in-state tuition for your first year of law school. And through the Western Regional Graduate Program, you’ll continue to pay in-state tuition for all three years. Even if you’re not WRGP-eligible, you’ll still pay in-state tuition your first year and can establish Idaho residency to continue paying in-state for years two and three.
Explore current annual costs for earning your J.D. at Idaho Law — including tuition, housing, meals and personal expenses.
See law scholarships and financial opportunities to make your legal education even more accessible.
Students pursuing a Juris Doctor
Learn how the Idaho Heritage Project – Rural Scholarship Fund can provide financial support to Idaho Law students to obtain summer internships in rural communities throughout Idaho.
Graduate students not pursuing a J.D.
Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, visit Financial Aid or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Contact information
Have questions about the J.D. agricultural law certificate program or the law student experience in Moscow or Boise? Connect with our College of Law Admissions team for personalized guidance about curriculum, law school application requirements and law school scholarship funding opportunities.
Program contact:
Renee Harrison
Director of Admissions
208-885-0143
rrharrison@uidaho.edu
Lundyn Jared
Assistant Director of Admissions – Moscow campus
208-885-2300
lundynj@uidaho.edu
Noe Sanchez
Assistant Director of Admissions – Boise location
208-885-8620
noesanchez@uidaho.edu
Application information
J.D. law certificate pathway
University of Idaho College of Law requires electronic applications via the LSAC Online Services website. The application is available after Labor Day each year. Explore admission requirements, application deadlines, required materials and other information to help you prepare your application on the College of Law admissions website.
Non-J.D. law certificate pathway
Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate level certificate as a standalone program are encouraged to submit a graduate application. A bachelor’s degree earned with a minimum 3.0 GPA in a similar or generally related field or a master’s degree is required for admission. Applicants who do not immediately meet the criteria above may still be admitted upon review by the academic program. The graduate application requires transcripts from post-secondary education (bachelor’s and master’s if applicable), a resume and a $30 application fee.
International graduate certificate applicants must meet the graduate admission English language proficiency requirement. International students admitted to a graduate certificate program as a standalone program are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa status.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I undergraduate students
Current undergraduate students who wish to earn a graduate academic certificate must be eligible to participate in graduate level courses (minimum requirements — senior standing and an overall GPA of at least 3.0). If the course is not being used for the undergraduate degree, the student should file a Course Level Adjustment form to reserve the course for the graduate transcript (maximum of 12 credits may be reserved for the graduate transcript). Once the student earns their bachelor’s degree they may apply as a graduate certificate seeking student and complete the certificate program.
Contact your academic advisor for additional information and support.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I graduate students
Current graduate degree seeking U of I students will be required to fill out a Change of Curriculum form adding the graduate certificate as an additional curriculum. Students should obtain the proper signatures from the department and return this form to the College of Graduate Studies for processing.
U of I students who earned a master’s or a doctoral degree and wish to apply for a graduate certificate must submit a graduate Readmission application.
It is recommended that you consult with your major professor prior to selecting a graduate certificate to go concurrent with your graduate program.