Environmental law has become increasingly popular as the Earth’s challenges intensify. Protecting the natural environment is a fulfilling and challenging career with many rewarding advancement opportunities. Whether you start higher education straight out of high school or enroll in聽college later in your career, environmental law could be ideal.
Environmental law is an exciting job with an聽聽and the opportunity to impact the planet positively. However, it takes time and hard work. Before you can achieve your goal, you need to gather all the information and then choose the right path.
What Degrees Do You Need to Become an Environmental Lawyer?
Becoming an environmental lawyer involves taking聽the same basic learning path聽as any prospective lawyer. You need a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar Association-accredited law school. Your JD takes three further years of study after you complete your bachelor’s degree. This academic journey creates a solid baseline for specialization.
You can take several paths to achieve your environmental law education requirements.聽Starting with an associate degree and then transferring to a four-year college will make your education more financially viable. Many choose this affordable and flexible option to accommodate their jobs, children or other responsibilities.
The Best Undergrad Majors for Environmental Law
Although a bachelor’s degree is a requirement for law school admission, the American Bar Association (ABA) doesn’t specify a specific undergrad major. However, it helps to focus on options that prepare you for your work. For example, you could obtain a聽degree in environmental science, government or business management. You could also look at political science and English. Many of their skills translate well into environmental law.
Environmental law integrates many disciplines, but an affinity for聽. The ABA encourages prospective lawyers to take subjects that build the soft skills necessary for practicing law. These skills include communication, problem-solving, public service and criminal justice. Consider what attracts you to environmental law and make your choices around these factors.
Law schools do consider your major, however, they often pay more attention to your grade point average (GPA). Focus on showcasing your dedication to your studies and demonstrating you can achieve the academic requirements for a JD.
Helpful Courses and Electives for Aspiring Environmental Lawyers
Practicing environmental law means having a balance of legal expertise and other practical skills. Many types of environmental law exist, including energy, water, conservation, climate change and land use law. Including diverse subjects in your education provides a balance of hard and soft skills while helping you identify your passions.
Consider courses that build a foundation for your future as an environmental lawyer, including:
- American history and government:聽American law is based on precedent, so understanding how government works is essential for a law career. Consider courses in environmental history, comparative politics or history of science.
- Environmental science:聽Environmental law requires understanding scientific texts and terminology, which you will聽learn in an environmental science听肠辞耻谤蝉别.
- Social sciences:聽Every branch of law is about people. The social sciences can provide information about past and present human behavior and social dynamics, which are essential for practicing law and understanding cases.
- Statistics and data science:聽Understanding statistics can benefit your legal practice. Look for courses in data and statistical analysis.
- Writing and communication:聽Communication is the foundation of a successful law career. Your associate degree can sharpen these skills and give you a strong foundation in oral and written communication.
- Political science:聽Courses in political science give you the big picture of the legal system. Some even provide a background in constitutional law, which introduces you to the basics of the field.
- Philosophy and ethics:聽Environmental law cases often involve legal and ethical challenges. A background in philosophy can help you navigate these uncertainties.
What Licenses Do Environmental Lawyers Need?
Environmental lawyers have to take four tests throughout their academic journeys:
1. Law School Admission Tests (LSATs)
When you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you must apply to law school to complete your JD. Law schools evaluate your LSAT results alongside your application. The LSAT consists of two parts that test potential lawyers. The first section is multiple choice, including reading, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning questions. The second section is a written essay.
2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Some law school admissions departments now accept GRE scores instead of LSAT scores. This test is standardized, and many students take it when applying to graduate programs. You can take the LSAT and GRE multiple times yearly at registered test centers.
3. Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
When you’re in law school and working toward the bar exam, you must take the MPRE, which you usually do in year two of your JD. It’s a two-hour multiple-choice exam that covers 60 questions.
The MPRE assesses whether you have the character and fitness to practice law. Many state bar associations require a passing score to admit you.
4. The Bar Exam
The bar exam is specific to your state, and your state’s base association administers the exam. You have two opportunities to take the exam in Massachusetts 鈥� February and July. Without it, you’ll be unable to practice environmental law in your state.
The bar exam is a two-day process.
The test is constructed in three parts 鈥� the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). They all include written components and multiple-choice. In Massachusetts, you must also take the Massachusetts Law Component (MLC) once you’ve passed the bar exam. It tests your knowledge of specific distinctions in Massachusetts law and procedures.
Once you have passed the bar exam and satisfied the other admissions requirements, the Supreme Judicial Court will arrange a formal admission ceremony. After that, you’re a practicing environmental lawyer.
Start Your Career in Environmental Law at The Mount Today!
If making a positive environmental impact is your career goal, becoming an environmental lawyer is an enriching and impactful way to achieve it. At 开元棋牌, we offer a range of undergraduate courses to prepare you for a four-year college, a JD and a meaningful career. You can start with our聽environmental conservation and regenerative agriculture聽program, which gives you a strong foundation in environmental subjects.
As an 开元棋牌 student, you can also enjoy聽undergraduate courses in pre-law聽and a聽legal studies degree program聽to solidify your pathway into your legal career. We have transfer agreements with many Massachusetts colleges, allowing you to embark on a new phase of your education whenever you’re ready. Find out聽more about our associate degrees听辞谤听apply online and take聽the first step to becoming an environmental lawyer today!