Master’s Degrees at VLGS
Overview
Master’s Degrees at VLGS
A master’s degree and executive master’s degree from Vermont Law and Graduate School is about more than legal theory. By studying advocacy, regulations, legislation, and markets, you will acquire the tools needed to create more equitable and sustainable communities.
What to Expect from the Master’s Degree Program
Our master degrees are designed to be completed in 12 months on campus, or as little as 18 months online. Alternatively, students have the option to take courses on a part-time basis, allowing up to five years for degree completion.
These programs can be started in either the summer or fall semester or online in any one of our six-term start dates. Our executive master’s degree, designed for working professionals, can be completed on a part-time basis in 16 months with 7-week accelerated courses. Additionally, all master’s degrees can be pursued jointly with our Juris Doctor program.
Please note that required courses are subject to change. For more information, please view the latest Academic Regulations or contact the Office of the Registrar: [email protected].
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
(Offered on-campus and online)
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is a 36-credit interdisciplinary degree designed to provide students the tools necessary to understand and solve complex issues related to public policy. This program will help students develop knowledge in foundational elements of public policy coupled with concentration in animal protection policy, food and agricultural policy, community resilience, energy regulation, and justice reform policy. MPP courses are offered online and in person during our summer session.
Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
(Starting on campus and online in Fall 2024)
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program is a one-year, 30-credit program designed for non-lawyers who would like to learn about U.S. laws and regulations. This program will help students develop legal knowledge, skills, and networks in specific areas of law tailored to their career interests. The curriculum includes three required courses, a variety of electives, and an advanced writing requirement. MLS courses will initially be offered as a residential program on the VLGS campus in South Royalton, Vermont, with online and hybrid options planned for the future. Students will benefit from intensive mentor guidance and strong comparative law expertise.
Executive Master of Environmental Policy (EMEP)
(Offered online only)
The Executive Master of Environmental Policy (EMEP) degree is a public policy degree created for mid-level professionals seeking advanced credentials or a career change. Designed to be completed on a part-time basis through an accelerated 7-week course structure to complement a professional’s busy work schedule, students are afforded many opportunities to connect with a wide range of like-minded peers and instructors who are leaders in their field.
Although all courses are offered online, students have the option to attend on-campus courses in Vermont, including during the 2-week summer sessions. The EMEP degree is designed for professionals in a variety of fields, including environmental compliance, water and wastewater, regulatory affairs, city and regional planning, sustainability specialists, and risk management specialists.
EMEP Required Courses:
- CLM5200 Fundamentals of Climate Change
- ENG5220 Environmental Economics and Markets
- EJU5110 Structural Inequality
- EJU5120 Fundamentals of Environmental Justice
- POL5510 Intro to Policy Research and Writing
- POL5520 Quantitative Analysis
- POL5530 Policy Design
- REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation Survey
Master of Climate & Environmental Policy (MCEP)
(Offered on-campus and online)
The Master of Climate and Environmental Policy (MCEP) degree is a robust applied public policy degree dedicated to the environment and is consistently top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Degree-seekers will receive the tools needed to make change–finding and implementing solutions to the greatest challenges of our day at the intersection of climate change and environmental justice.
MCEP students may specialize in a range of areas within the field of environmental policy, including Climate Change, Environmental Justice, or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). All MCEP students choose between a “research track” to write a thesis, or a “practice track” to pursue an externship or on-campus clinic. MCEP students gain the core skills needed to shape environmental policy and integrate issues of racial and economic justice into practice and policy making—including environmental research and writing, policy design, climate justice, structural inequality, public participation, and consensus-building.
MCEP Required Courses:
- CLM5200 Fundamentals of Climate Change
- ENG5220 Environmental Economics and Markets
- EJU5110 Structural Inequality
- EJU5120 Fundamentals of Environmental Justice
- POL5510 Intro to Policy Research and Writing
- POL5520 Quantitative Analysis
- POL5530 Policy Design
- REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation Survey
Master of Animal Protection Policy (MAPP)
(Offered on-campus and online)
The Master of Animal Protection Policy (MAPP) degree is designed to educate animal law and policy leaders. Through specialized courses and practical training, students gain skills to navigate law and policy landscapes, with a focus on effectuating change for animals in a wide range of arenas and growing career paths.
Animal law and policy is a rapidly expanding field, with an increasing number of students and employers recognizing and focusing on the interconnection between human, environmental, and animal well-being. VLGS is uniquely positioned to train students to effectively advocate for animals given its decades-long history as a pioneer in animal law, distinguished faculty, robust and active network of alumni in leadership positions, and collaborative programs.
MAPP Required Courses:
- ANM5431 Animal Protection Policy
- ANM5433 Science of Animal Law and Policy
- ANM5437 Animal Ethics
- EJU5110 Structural Inequality
- POL5510 Introduction to Policy Research and Writing
- POL5520 Quantitative Analysis
- POL5530 Policy Design
- REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation Survey
Master of Energy Regulation & Law (MERL)
(Offered on-campus and online)
The Master of Energy Regulation and Law (MERL) degree is focused on law and policy governing energy use, production, and transmission. You’ll develop a broad-based understanding of the intersection of energy and law, regulation, policy, and economic analysis. The MERL offers practical training in public advocacy and writing for a legal and policy audience, opportunities for independent research with support from faculty, and externships at organizations around the country.
MERL Required Courses:
- ENG5226 Energy Law and Policy
- ENG5228 Energy Regulation, Markets, and the Environment
- ENG5220 Environmental Economics and Markets
- REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation Survey
- POL5520 Quantitative Analysis
Master of Food & Agriculture Law & Policy (MFALP)
(Offered on-campus and online)
Taught by faculty affiliated with the school’s Center for Agricultural and Food Systems, the MFALP program teaches students to use law and policy to support sustainable and just food systems. The curriculum includes food and agricultural law and policy classes, a wide range of environmental law and policy electives, and courses in writing and advocacy. Experiential opportunities with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups prepare graduates for careers in policy and advocacy.
MFALP Required Courses:
- FAA5108 Intro to Law and Policy of Food and Agriculture
- REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation Survey
- POL5510 Intro to Policy Research and Writing (waived for JD students)
- POL5520 Quantitative Analysis
- POL5530 Policy Design
Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (MARJ)
(Offered on-campus and online)
The Master of Restorative Justice (MARJ) degree was created for students who want to address deficiencies in our justice system and become the next generation of justice leaders. The curriculum combines traditional law courses with restorative justice courses, simulations, and experiential learning opportunities to prepare and train graduates for careers that develop new approaches to criminal justice.
MARJ Required Courses:
- RSJ7115 Principles of Restorative Justice
or - RSJ7110 Restorative Justice Theory and Practice
or - RSJ7120 Origins, Evolution and Critical Issues in Restorative Justice
and - REQ7186 Legislation and Regulation or Legislation and Regulation Survey
Opportunities & Options
Online Learning Opportunities
Several of our master’s and non-degree programs can be completed in whole, or in part, online. For these programs, application requirements are the same for online applicants. For more information, please see the Online Degrees Page.
Financial Aid for Law School Opportunities
Vermont Law and Graduate School offers tuition scholarships to exceptional master’s candidates each year. In addition to possessing strong academic records, scholarship recipients must demonstrate a commitment to environmental law and policy and public service. There is no separate application process for scholarships; all admitted candidates will be given full consideration. Please refer to the Tuition & Financial Aid Page section for all scholarship opportunities for master’s candidates.
Joint Degree Opportunities
If you are interested in pursuing a joint degree with Vermont Law and Graduate School, visit our Joint Degree Programs page to learn more. It’s important to note that admission to a master’s program does not ensure admission to a joint degree program.
Dual Degree Opportunities
If you are interested in pursuing a dual degree, visit our Dual Degree Programs page for more information. It’s important to note that admission to a master’s program does not ensure admission to a dual degree program.
Transfer Credits
Credits received at other institutions transfer at the discretion of the VLGS Registrar.
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Application Process Roadmap
Application Requirements
Checklist of Materials
- Completed application form
- $60.00 (USD) application fee
- Fee waived for any new Masters’, LLM or PCRJ application received by April 15th. If applying for an LLM through LSAC, please request a fee waiver code by emailing your admissions counselor or [email protected].
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Essays as described below
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- All applicants whose native language is not English and have not lived or studied in an English-speaking country for at least two years must submit TOEFL, PTE or IELTS scores
Master’s Program Application Form
To apply for our master’s programs for both on-campus and online, please use the VLGS Web Application. International master’s applicants will need to include the additional English proficiency requirements and transcript evaluations described on the VLGS international applicants page.
Application Fee
Vermont Law and Graduate School has an application fee of $60.00 (USD), which is
waived for any new Masters’, LLM, or PCRJ application received by April 15th. If applying for an LLM through LSAC, please request a fee waiver code by emailing your admissions counselor or [email protected].
Required Essay
- Goals Essay (500-word limit) – In essay format, describe the goals that are motivating you to pursue a graduate program. How do you think the skills and experience you will gain at Vermont Law and Graduate School will help you achieve these goals?
- Diversity Statement (300-word limit) – In what ways would you contribute to and/or support Vermont Law and Graduate School’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
Optional Essays
- Give a realistic appraisal of your academic work since graduation from high school. Please note any inconsistencies in your record and the reasons for them.
- How have you tried to effect change in relation to an issue of personal, local, or national significance?
Letters of Recommendation
It is preferred that one of the two required letters of recommendation be academic in nature. If an applicant has been out of school for a number of years, two professional letters will be accepted.
Recommenders should email their recommendations to [email protected] or send them directly to the admissions office. Letters received directly from applicants will not be accepted.
International Applicants
If you are currently enrolled at an institution that has an established International Dual Degree partnership with VLGS, please follow your home institution’s process to apply for an opportunity to study at VLGS. For individuals outside of the United States who are not currently enrolled at another institution, or who are enrolled at an institution that VLGS does not have a formal partnership with, please take note of the following additional application requirements:
International Credential Validation Requirement
All international transcripts must be evaluated by an official evaluation agency. Recommended evaluation agencies include Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE.org), World Education Services (WES.org) and Spantran (SPANTRAN.com).
English Language Requirement
- TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score is required of all students for whom English is not the primary language spoken. Applicants who have studied in the U.S. or at an English-speaking institution for more than two years may be waived from this requirement.
- TOEFL minimum score: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, 100 Internet-based
- IELTS minimum score: 6.5
- PTE minimum score: 68
Application Notification
Vermont Law and Graduate School reviews applications on a rolling basis. The Admission Committee reviews all complete applications and applicants are notified promptly of the admission decision. Please note that Vermont Law and Graduate School does not share information or offer feedback regarding admission decisions.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on their overall ability to do graduate work. Factors that will be considered in the application review include:
- GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools
- Successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree
- Essays as described below
- Letters of recommendation from professors or professional or volunteer experience supervisors
- OPTIONAL: Official GRE and LSAT Scores
Neither the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) nor the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for applicants to the Master’s programs. However, students who have taken the exams may submit their scores to support their application. Scores should be sent directly to the school (GRE & LSAT School Code: 3946) for consideration.
Acceptance of Offer for Admissions
An applicant who is offered admission must make a total non-refundable tuition deposit of $750 by the deposit deadlines–indicated in the admission offer–to secure a place in the incoming class. This deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.