Natural resources and environmental law
Certificate, graduate
Overview
Related Topics
Protect natural resources. Shape environmental solutions.
The legal decisions made today about land, water and natural resources will shape communities, industries and ecosystems for generations to come. University of Idaho College of Law's natural resources and environmental law certificate gives J.D. students the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in one of the nation's most consequential and evolving areas of legal practice.
Through focused coursework and applied learning experiences, you’ll examine the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern natural resource management, environmental protection and sustainable development. Areas of study include public lands, water rights, land use, environmental regulation, conservation, pollution control and the complex intersection of science, policy and the law. You’ll learn how legal systems balance economic development, private property rights and environmental stewardship while addressing the challenges facing communities throughout Idaho, the West and beyond.
What makes this certificate distinctive is its connection to issues that define our region. Idaho's diverse landscapes, rural communities and natural resources provide an ideal setting to study the legal questions surrounding public lands, economic development, water, agriculture, energy and conservation. You will develop the analytical and practical skills needed to navigate complex regulatory systems, advise clients and help shape sound environmental and natural resource policy.
Whether you plan to represent private clients, work for government agencies, advise businesses, support conservation organizations or influence public policy, the natural resources and environmental law certificate demonstrates to employers that you've developed specialized expertise in a field that continues to grow in importance.
This law certificate could be a good fit if you:
- Are passionate about protecting natural resources and the environment
- Want to understand the laws that govern land use, water rights and environmental regulation
- Enjoy exploring the intersection of law, science, public policy and resource management
- Are considering a career with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private industry or environmental advocacy groups
- Are interested in conservation, public lands, energy, agriculture or natural resource management
- Want to graduate with specialized legal knowledge that prepares you to address complex environmental and natural resource challenges
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.
Learn how Idaho Law Prof. Dylan Hedden-Nicely leverages both a J.D. and a master’s in water resources to examine water rights law as climate change disrupts ecosystems and puts pressure on natural resources and conservation policies.
Law for the wild
Curriculum
The natural resources and environmental law graduate certificate is a 14- to 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
- Environmental Law Society (ELS) – ELS offers opportunities to get involved in environmental policy, legal reform and sustainability initiatives — both on campus and in the broader legal community. The group also supports those interested in pursuing careers in environmental law.
Vandals on the Fly (Moscow only) – Vandals on the Fly is the student-led fly-fishing club of the University of Idaho College of Law (Moscow campus only) and organizes fishing trips, fly casting lessons, potlucks and other events for beginner and experienced anglers.
Follow Vandals on the Fly on Instagram @uidaholawvotf
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,871 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
$98,760 - Lawyers
$133,639 - Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
$146,907 - Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
$95,623 - Postsecondary Law Teachers
$87,482
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
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 your first year of law school. And through the Western Regional Graduate Program, you’ll continue to pay in-state tuition 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. natural resources and environmental law certificate 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 instructions
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.
Small towns, big impact: A career in rural justice
Rural Idaho faces a growing need for lawyers. Discover the impact legal professionals can make in rural communities and how the Idaho Heritage Project helps support students while gaining experience through rural internships.
You have a chance to become an important part of your community and to really get to know the people you work and live with. And you get to enjoy life.
Dwight Baker
College of Law ’71 | Endowed the Dwight and Ali Baker College of Law Scholarship