Environmental Science, JD/MS

The combined curriculum leading to the degrees of Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) is designed to permit the student to complete both degrees over four years instead of the five years that would normally be required to complete the two degrees separately.

Entry into this dual degree program can occur in one of two ways. Applicants who are not currently enrolled in either the JD or the MS in Environmental Science degree program must apply for admission to both the College of Graduate Studies and the College of Law concurrently and follow the normal procedures of the respective colleges. Application for admission must be specifically for the dual degree program. Students who enroll in this manner usually should plan to spend their first year taking courses exclusively in the JD program and their second year taking courses mainly in the MS in Environmental Science program. In the third and fourth years, students take courses in both degree programs. Applicants who are currently enrolled in either the JD or the MS in Environmental Science degree program must apply for admission to the other degree program prior to the completion of 60 credit hours or two years of full-time study in the JD program, or prior to the completion of 18 credit hours or one year of full-time study in the MS in Environmental Science program. Students who enroll in this manner are advised as to how to schedule the remainder of their courses in the dual degree program. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to take more than eight years to complete the combined programs.

The dual degree program requires a total of four academic years of full-time study. The Juris Doctor requirements are fulfilled by the completion of 80 credit hours of work in the College of Law, including all required courses and 10 semester credit hours from courses cross-listed with the College of Science (Thesis Research, 2-3 credits from a Technical Writing Course - ENG 509  in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences), and one additional course taken in the College of Science. The Master of Science in Environmental Science requirements are fulfilled by the completion of the following:

1. 24 credit hours of course work, including all required courses, concentration electives and field experience from courses in the College of Science, any required interdisciplinary core competency courses (2-3 credits of Technical Writing, e.g., ENG 509 , and 3 credits from a course in Environmental Technology taken in the College of Engineering), and 3 credits from a course in Environmental Law taken in the College of Law, and
2. 8 semester credit hours for a Thesis project (
   EVS 691
    /
   BIO 691
     or BIO 695 ).

The minimum total number of credits required for the MSES degree is 32. In order to ensure that the degree requirements of both programs are fully maintained, while at the same time permitting the saving of a full academic year, students who pursue the dual degree program are not permitted to take courses outside either the College of Law or the Master of Science in Environmental Science program for credit toward either degree. A student is allowed to receive credit toward the dual degrees for an elective course taken outside the Colleges’ academic programs with prior written approval of the Directors of the MSES, and JD/MSES Programs.

Submit College of Graduate Studies application materials to the Graduate Admissions Office. Contact the College of Law regarding law application procedures.