Academic Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
A: Currently enrolled University of Florida law students with an academic or potential career interest in environmental or land use law may wish to pursue a certificate. Participating in the certificate program offers several advantages:
- Individualized academic guidance and mentoring by program faculty
- Registration assistance to enable certificate students to enroll in core courses
- A program of study designed by ELULP faculty in consultation with an advisory board of leading practitioners in these fields
- A credential that communicates clearly to potential employers your concentration and accomplishment in these two fields
Q: WHEN SHOULD I ENROLL?
A: All students enrolled in the J.D. program are eligible to enroll in the certificate program. Students are encouraged to enroll in their second semester or as early as possible in their law school program.
Q: HOW DO I ENROLL?
A: Students may download and return the Enrollment Form, or pick one up from one of the following locations:
- The ELULP office located at 319 Holland Hall (elulp@law.ufl.edu)
- Student Affairs located at 164 Holland Hall
Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE UPON GRADUATION?
A: The requirements for the award of certification are:
General Requirements
- Enrollment: Enroll in the Environmental & Land Use Law Certificate Program.
- Graduation: Meet all other graduation requirements of the College of Law.
- Additional credit hours: Complete 8 additional credit hours beyond the 88 required for the J.D.
Concentration Requirements:
- Core courses: Successfully complete the core courses listed below:
- LAW 6471 Environmental Law (3 or 4 credits)
- LAW 6472 Natural Resources Law (3 or 4 credits)
- LAW 6460 Land Use Planning and Control Law (3 or 4 credits)
- LAW 6520 Administrative Law (3 credits) OR LAW 6521 Florida Administrative Law (2 or 3 credits)
- Capstone Colloquium (1 credit)
- Complete the five required courses.
- Complete five credit hours in approved ELULP electives, including a course that satisfies the senior writing requirement.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in 15 credits within required and elective courses.
- Graduate with eight credit hours beyond those required for J.D. (96 total for most students).
Environmental and Land Use Law Electives
Regular Law School Offerings
- Administrative Law (3 credits)
- Advanced Environmental Law & Litigation (3 credits)
- Advanced Takings Law (2 or 3 credits)
- Agricultural Law (2 or 3 credits)
- Conservation Clinic (3 credits; may be taken for 1 or 2 semesters)
- Condominium & Community Development Law (2 credits)
- Environmental Dispute Resolution (2 credits)
- Environmental Issues in Business Transactions (3 credits)
- Externship (Up to six credits)
- Florida Administrative Law (2 or 3 credits)
- Independent Study
- International and Comparative Environmental Law*
- International and Comparative Environmental Law Skills Lab*
- International Environmental Justice*
- International Environmental Moot Court** (1 credit)
- International Trade and Environment (2 or 3 credits)
- Land Finance (3 credits)
- Local Government Law (2 or 3 credits)
- Mediation & Other Dispute Resolution Processes (2 or 3 credits)
- Negotiation & Mediation
- Negotiation, Mediation & Other Dispute Resolution Processes (3 or 4 credits)
- South Florida Ecosystems
- Water Law (2 credits)
- Wetlands & Watersheds: Law, Science & Policy
Seminars Recently Offered (all 2 credits)
- Animal Rights & the Law
- Ecology & the Law
- Environmental Justice
- Historic Preservation Law
- International Environment & Trade
- Land Use
- Selected Issues in Public Policy
- Sustainable Development
- Wildlife Law
Non-Law School Courses
Subject to the graduate course option limitations, the Director may approve electives for credit toward the Environmental & Land Use Law certification requirements from the extensive offerings of the University of Florida, such as offerings from:
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment
- Center for Wetlands of the College of Engineering
- Department of Urban & Regional Planning of the College of Architecture
Q: WHAT IF I DON'T COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS AFTER ENROLLING?
A: There is no penalty for not completing the program. You can withdraw at any time.