Environmental Law Certificate Program

Widener Law Commonwealth students interested in earning an Environmental Law Certificate can undertake a course of study through the Law and Government Institute and the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center designed to explore the role of law in fostering environmental protection and sustainable development.

This certificate program is for enrolled Widener Law Commonwealth students only and is awarded upon graduation from the law school. 

Note:  The Environmental Law Certificate is offered jointly by the Law & Government Institute and the Environmental Law & Sustainability Center. The certificate requirements were revised, effective for the Spring 2026 semester, and are listed below. However, certificate students who had formally expressed their interest prior to the end of the Fall 2025 semester may choose to continue to pursue their certificates under the previous requirements. For more information, read the memorandum explaining the change in requirements. 

Foundation

• Government Law Colloquium

Core

• Environmental Law

Elective/Seminar

(at least two)

• Agricultural Law
• Animal Law
• Climate Change
• Energy Law
• Environmental Litigation
• International Environmental Law
• Land Use Planning
• Natural Resources Law
• Oil & Gas Law
• Sustainable Development
• Other courses at the discretion of the Director of the Law & Government Institute

Widener Law Commonwealth reserves the right to modify curriculum requirements and course offerings.

Writing Requirement

Students seeking the Environmental Law Certificate must satisfy the law school’s writing requirement on an environmental law and policy topic. The Institute director must approve all topics in advance.

Work Requirement

Students seeking the Environmental Law Certificate must complete an externship approved by the Institute director. The Institute director will meet with students interested in pursuing the certificate to discuss and approve externship placement.

Graduating GPA Requirement

A student must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6 in the required certificate courses to earn a Law and Government Certificate at graduation.

Certificate with Honors GPA Requirement

A student earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or more in certificate courses will receive a certificate with honors.

Students interested in completing the requirements for a Law and Government Certificate should fill out an Expression of Interest form. After submitting the form and meeting with the Institute director, you should then contact Professor Chiara Pappalardo or Professor D.S. Pensley, co-directors of the Environmental Law & Sustainability Center, for advice concerning the program. 

Graduating students who wish to certify meeting the requirements for a Law and Government Certificate should fill out the Application for a Law and Government Certificate.

Certificate Learning Outcomes