The Certificate in Environmental and Land Use Law will provide current J.D. students with knowledge, skills and values to land positions at private law firms, local government law departments and environmental nonprofit organizations.
Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with large development projects surrounding the College of Law.
Attorneys who practice in environmental and land use law know the regulatory environment and how to work with communities.
HIGHLIGHTS
A+
20
Faculty Advising
Potential Careers
- Real estate or land use attorney
- Real estate development
- Environmental attorney
- Environmental compliance
- City attorney
- Counsel for federal or state agency
- Counsel for environmental nonprofit organizations
Atlanta Advantage
Located in the heart of downtown with access to Atlanta’s landmarks, professional sports, global cuisine, cultural events and more.
A FEW STEPS
- State Capitol
- Federal and state courts
- Major law firms and corporate offices
- Atlanta Regional Commission
- Local, state and federal government agencies
A FEW MILES
- Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, UPS +13 other Fortune 500 Companies
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV
- Atlanta regional office of U.S. Department of the Interior
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region IV
- Georgia Department of Transportation
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Certificate Requirements
Students must be in good academic standing, based on the successful completion of the first full year of law study, to participate in the certificate program. Students must remain in good standing to continue participation.
Required Courses
11 credit hours
- LAW 7101: Administrative Law (3 credit hours)
- LAW 7200: Environmental Law (3 credit hours)
- LAW 7200: Land Use Law (3 credit hours)
- LAW 7494: Urban Fellows Program (2 credit hours)
Elective Courses
Students choose a minimum of 9 credit hours from the approved elective courses to complete the certificate.
Writing Requirement
Students satisfy the certificate and College of Law writing requirement through the Urban Fellows Program.
Pro Bono Hours
Students must complete ten hours of pro bono work/community service to receive the certificate.
Extracurricular Activities
- Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
- Break the Cycle of Health Disparities
- GSU Environmental Law Society
- GSU sponsored events (conferences, workshops, training, lectures) involving land use, environmental law and urban issues
- Local or national real estate, environmental law, local government bar associations
- Work on a research project with faculty in the Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth
Grades
In order to enroll in the certificate program, a student must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.3 or better. There is no minimum grade point average required in the environmental and land use classes (both required and electives) to graduate with the certificate.
Verification for Graduation
A Certificate in Environmental and Land Use Law may be awarded to any student who fulfills all requirements before graduation.
Students must submit a Verification for Certificate in Environmental and Land Use Law form to kjohnston3@gsu.edu on the drop/add date of your last semester. *This form must be signed by your faculty advisor.
– Glenn Wells (J.D. ’20)
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