master of energy regulation and law

MASTER OF ENERGY REGULATION
AND LAW
Energy and the environment go hand in hand. Energy production and distribution are
inextricably linked with today’s major environmental issues. Vermont Law School’s
Master of Energy Regulation and Law (MERL) program trains students to work at
the intersection of energy and environmental issues by promoting alternative energy
development or solving environmental problems associated with traditional energy
production. Other graduates will work on the development of a smart electric grid
and electrification of the transportation sector, which have significant implications for
air pollution and climate change. Well-trained professionals are needed to be effective
agents of change in business, economics, public policy, nonprofit administration, and
law at the intersection of energy development and the environment.
Vermont Law School is granting admission to this program in 2013; NEASC approval of and ABA acquiescence
in the program are pending.
www.vermontlaw.edu/MERL
“Thanks to the enhanced
analytical skills and legal
knowledge I received, I’m
continually offered projects
with legal, political, and
regulatory components.
This has diversified my work
and completely reshaped
my career path.”
—Keith Dennis MSEL 2005,
Lead Energy Project
Specialist, U.S. Department
of Energy, Washington, D.C.
CURRICULUM
The Master of Energy Regulation and Law is a
30-credit program with four required courses
designed to provide students with a broad-based
understanding of energy law and policy, regulation,
and economic analysis. In addition, students engage
in a scholarly research project or externship on an
energy topic. Elective credits allow students to focus
their interest from among the 50-plus courses related
to energy, land, water, climate, or the general
environment. Flexible options allow candidates to
complete the program in as little as 12 months.
FACULTY
The Vermont Law School faculty include experienced
environmental litigators, former high-level
government officials, and thoughtful visionaries about
how to promote a sustainable future for the nation
and the world. Energy courses are taught by faculty
associated with the law school’s highly respected
Institute for Energy and the Environment. Faculty
members serve as mentors to our students and
provide direction, connections, and inspiration as
graduates move forward into their careers.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Experiential learning opportunities with state and
federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and
advocacy groups ensure that MERL graduates are
prepared for real-world situations the first day on the
job. MERL students may engage in an externship in
energy law, or serve as a research associate at Vermont
Law School’s Institute for Energy for the
Environment.
www.vermontlaw.edu/MastersExternships
“Our mission is to have
fewer greenhouse gas
emissions in 50 years
because of the work we do
today, and in 100 years
because of the work our
students do tomorrow.”
—Michael Dworkin,
Professor of Law and
Director of the Institute
for Energy and the
Environment
INSTITUTE FOR ENERGY AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the
Environment offers in-depth training in the
fundamentals and developing elements of energy law
and regulation by giving students the opportunity to
do practical work in the energy field and to meet and
learn from energy experts. The Institute distributes
scholarly, technical, and practical publications; holds
forums and conferences for professional education
and issue development; and serves as a center for
graduate research on energy issues, with an
environmental awareness.
www.vermontlaw.edu/Energy
CAREERS
The MERL program focuses on essential skills,
knowledge, and perspectives that will make graduates
“job-ready” to work for private energy companies,
consulting firms, government agencies, or non-profit
organizations. The energy sector is highly diverse and
rapidly evolving. Many MERL graduates will be
entrepreneurs who literally create new jobs in the
energy field.
www.vermontlaw.edu/Careers
Law for the community
and the world
Vermont Law School
164 Chelsea Street
PO Box 96
South Royalton, Vermont
05068 USA
www.vermontlaw.edu
© 2013 Vermont Law School