The LLM in Animal Law is designed for students who want to focus their career on animal law and policy issues including advancing legal protections for companion animals, wildlife, farmed animals, and animals used for entertainment and experimentation. Courses explore ethics, conservation, the use of science to shape policy, effective communication, and much more. Animal law focused clinics and externships provide real-world experience in litigation, policy design, regulatory enforcement, and research and writing skills, training students to be effective animal advocates. Students learn about the intersection of animal law issues with climate change, labor exploitation, consumer protection, and other social justice issues.

Program Description

Our comprehensive curriculum, developed by faculty of VLGS’s Animal Law and Policy Institute, includes residential and online courses, as well as the only farmed animal law clinic in the country. As a pioneer in the field of animal law, Vermont Law and Graduate School offers students a unique educational opportunity. Choosing from a wide range of animal law and policy courses, dozens of environmental law and policy courses, and more, 

You’ll design an intensive, practical curriculum that matches your objectives whether you are a young attorney or an experienced advocate pursuing a new career path. Degree work includes completion of a thesis, research project, teaching practicum, or externship. You’ll participate in a graduate seminar that explores advanced research topics through discussions and lectures by leading attorneys and scholars.

Full-time LLM students typically complete the program in 12 months, but students have up to five years to obtain their degree. The program may be started residentially in either the summer or fall semester, or online in any of our six term start dates.

Careers

Vermont Law and Graduate School LLM graduates are the leaders, policymakers, and professionals our communities and our world most desperately need. Earning a LLM in Animal Law will prepare lawyers for careers advocating for animals in government, private practice, academia, non-profit organizations, and more.

Fellowships

In partnership with the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law and Policy, Inc. and Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy, the Animal Law and Policy Institute (ALPI) at Vermont Law and Graduate School is pleased to offer up to three premier Animal Law and Policy LLM Fellowships. Click here for details and availability.

Requirements of the LLM in Animal Law Degree

A minimum of 30 credits, including all required courses
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 for successful completion of the degree
Students have up to 5 years from the date of matriculation to complete the LLM
Students may start the LLM residentially in the fall or summer semesters, or online in any one of our six term start dates

View our degree requirements here.

Required Courses

• LLM9606 LLM Graduate Seminar – 3 credits
• ENV5105 Administrative Law – 3 credits
• ENV5307 Animals and the Law – 3 credits

The Director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute (ALPI) may waive Administrative Law and/or Animals and the Law upon showing that the candidate has completed an equivalent course of study.

Animal Law and Policy Electives

You must take a minimum of six (6) credits from the following list:

• ANM5437 Animal Ethics – 3 credits
• JUR7333 Animal Law and Ethics – 3 credits
• ANM5425 Animal Law in Practice – 2 credits
• ANM5431 Animal Protection Policy – 3 credits
• ENV5406 Animal Rights Jurisprudence – 2 credits
• ENV5422 Animal Welfare Law – 2 credits
• ENV5412 Biodiversity Protection – 2 credits
• ENV5336 Climate Change, Extinction & Adaptation – 3 credits
• ENV5480 Environmental Crimes – 2 credits
• CLI9321 Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic – 4-12 credits
• ENV5411 Federal Regulation of Food and Agriculture – 3 credits
• ANM5435 International Animal Law – 3 credits
• ENV5108 Introduction to Food and Agriculture Law and Policy – 3 credits
• ENV5235 Natural Resources Law – 2 credits
• ENV5423 Ocean and Coastal Law – 3 credits
• ANM5433 Science of Animal Law and Policy – 3 credits
• ENV5410 The Farm Bill – 2 credits
• ENV5408 The Law of Animals in Agriculture – 3 credits
• ENV5901 Undercover Investigations of Animal Operations – 3 credits

Project/Writing

You must take a minimum of two (2) credits from the following list:

• LLM Thesis or Research Project on an animal law topic – 2-6 credits
• LLM Externship – 4-10 credits
• Teaching Practicum – 4-6 credits
• Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic – 4-12 credits
• Another VLGS clinic working on an animal law matter – 4-12 credits

Thesis, teaching project, or research project

You have the option of writing a thesis, which must be a substantial piece of written work of publishable quality. To write a thesis, you must submit a 10-15–page thesis proposal to be approved by your faculty supervisor and the Director of the Environmental Law Center or the Director’s designee.
You also have the option of completing a teaching practicum or a research project. A 5-page project proposal must be approved by your faculty supervisor and the Director of the Environmental Law Center or the Director’s designee.

Electives

Your remaining LLM credits may be additional credits from the above lists, or other environmental electives from an approved list of courses in the Academic Regulations.

Degree Details