Environmental Law Degree

If you think you would enjoy a career in monitoring and analyzing the environment, conduct research and work closely with governmental agencies to consider the effects of their decisions on the environment, then an environmental law career may be just for you.

What is Environmental Law?

Environmental law is composed of statutes, treaties and polices which are designed to regulate human influence on the natural environment, with the end goal of reducing and minimizing any potential negative impact of human activity.

Environmental law deals with air quality, water quality, global climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, pesticides and waste management. This field focuses on the prevention of damage to the land, waters, air, living creatures, minerals, plants and animals.

In an environmental law degree program you will study a combination of law and science. Additionally, you will learn about economics and ethics as well as civic engagement. Specialization in this aspect of the law will require that you have well developed communicate, problem solving, presentation and debate skills but that you also understand the underlying principles of environmental science.

Environmental law programs cover a wide range of courses, courses such as environmental advocacy, pollution control law, historic preservation, nuclear regulation, risk assessment and regulation, hazardous waste law, mining and mineral leasing law, environmental justice, air pollution, coastal and wetland law as well as environmental enforcement and land use control.

When deciding to pursue an environmental law degree keep in mind that you will first have to enroll in law school. You will also spend your first year of law school learning general law courses and learning problem solving skills, research, writing, analytical and presentation skills.

As a result, you will begin hearing environmental law courses in your second year of study. Don’t be impatient thought – you will reach that second year fast enough. However, the education base you gain in your first year will be invaluable.

Public concern regarding environmental issues had never been higher. Due to the raise in public awareness, there has been an increase in the body of environmental law.

While many countries worldwide have developed environmental laws, unfortunately its implementation has not been as quick and effective. The focus of today’s environmental professionals will have to be on understanding, improving and applying the laws already making up the environmental law base.

Due to increased awareness and willingness for change, environmental lawyers can now be found in major law firms, as well as in federal, state and local environmental agencies. With an environmental law degree, you will be able to work in waste disposal companies, construction firms, public interest groups, research organizations, as well as organizations monitoring compliance with industry regulations.

Environmental lawyers can be found in positions such as civil rights analyst, land use law analyst, mediation specialist, immigration specialist, legislative analyst, lobbyist, water rights specialist and environmental legal consultant. Keep in mind that due to the global importance and emphasis on environmental issues, the number of career opportunities with this degree is growing as we speak.

Environmental law degree programs offer many specializations for students, so you can decide to focus on a specific section of environmental law. Some examples of specializations are environmental justice, historic preservation, animal law, coastal and marine law, hazardous waste management, and marine science and wildlife studies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all lawyers was $90,290. You can make more or less, depending on your area of specialization and type of employer.