Course Requirements

The joint JD/MS degree program requires a total of 130.5 quarter units and may be completed in three years. No more than 31 quarter units of approved courses that originate outside the law school may count toward the law degree. Joint JD/MS degree requirements for the current academic year are published in the Stanford Bulletin and are updated periodically throughout the year on the E-IPER web site. Students interested in learning more about the JD/PhD in Environment and Resources should contact E-IPER.

In addition to requirements for the JD, specific requirements for the Joint MS include the completion of two required core courses: IPER 338, Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers (same as OIT 338 and LAW 608; if offered IPER/OIT 339 and LAW 619 also fulfill this requirement), and IPER 290, Capstone Project in Environment and Resources. The Capstone Project, which is a new requirement, may be completed with an interdisciplinary team and will be publicly presented to the E-IPER community. For more information on the Capstone Project and its requirements, please visit the E-IPER website.

In addition to the two required courses, students must complete a total of 8 additional courses. A minimum of four of these courses should be chosen from one selected Joint MS Course Track: Energy; Climate and Atmosphere; Cleantech; Land Use and Agriculture; Oceans and Estuaries; Freshwater; Human and Environmental Health; or Sustainable Built Environment. The other four courses may be selected from the same or another Course Track or from elsewhere in the University. Students are encouraged to take courses at the 200-level or above and must maintain a 'B' average. Specific restrictions on courses that may count for the Joint MS are listed in the Bulletin and the E-IPER web site.

The student's program of study is subject to the approval of the student's advising team, consisting of a faculty member from the applicable professional school and one E-IPER faculty member. The two degrees are conferred simultaneously when the requirements for both the JD and the MS in Environment and Resources have been met.