Vermont Law and Graduate School offers students the opportunity to earn both a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Climate and Environmental Policy (MCEP) degree in three years, the period of time ordinarily required to earn the JD degree alone. To earn both degrees on this accelerated schedule, JD/MCEP students are permitted to count up to twelve credits of environmental course work toward both degrees. In addition, MCEP students take classes in the VLGS Summer Session and pursue an externship during the summers after their first and second years.

JD/MCEP students combine coursework in environmental law with the core skills needed to shape environmental policy and integrate issues of racial and economic justice into practice and policymaking — including environmental research and writing, policy design, climate justice, structural inequality, public participation, and consensus-building.

Graduating with two degrees from Vermont Law and Graduate School is an attractive path for students who are passionate about climate and environmental justice. The joint degree program offers a deeper and richer educational experience. It also opens up additional employment options by equipping students with policy and advocacy skills.