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Policy 6-212: Graduate Studies and Degrees, Master of Laws (Energy Law Degree)

  1. Purpose and Scope
    1. (Reserved)
  2. Definitions
    1. (Reserved)
  3. Policy: Requirements for the Master of Laws--Energy Law Degree
    1. The College of Law offers an advanced degree--the Master of Laws (LL.M.)-Energy Law Degree. The degree is primarily a research degree designed for students with demonstrated capability and experience in the field of energy law. The term energy law includes all aspects of the development and use of energy resources throughout the world.
    2. The minimum qualification required for admission to the LL.M. - Energy Law Degree program shall be, but need not be limited to, the completion of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent first law degree prior to beginning LL.M. work.
    3. All applicants must submit copies of undergraduate, graduate and professional school transcripts, a current resume, the names of academic and professional references, and a detailed statement of interest in the program. Approximately six candidates will be selected in each year. Factors examined in selecting candidates include:
      1. academic record;
      2. publications;
      3. work experience in the energy area;
      4. recommendations; and
      5. proposed research.
    4. The LL.M.-Energy Law Degree requires a minimum of 24 credits. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. A student requiring more than three years to complete the program must have the permission of the Director of the Energy Law Center. Of the 24 credits:
      1. The candidate shall complete a minimum of 9 hours of work in law school or other graduate level classes. All course selection shall be approved by the Director of the Energy Law Center.
        1. Students must receive a grade of "C" or above in any law school course or "B" or above in any other graduate course in order to have the course count towards graduation.
        2. At the time of graduation, the student must present an overall average of "B-" or better.
        3. A student who consistently fails to satisfy the standards may be removed from the program.
      2. The remaining credits shall be earned for the preparation of the LL.M. thesis. The thesis topic shall be selected by the student with the consent of the Director of the Energy Law Center.
        1. The thesis shall be a major piece of original research in some aspect of energy law.
        2. The thesis shall meet University Graduate School requirements for form.
        3. A thesis committee of not less than three University of Utah faulty members shall be formed upon completion of the candidate's first draft. At the discretion of the Director of the Energy Law Center one or more qualified non-faculty members may be added to the thesis committee or oral defense panel. This person shall not have a vote but will be encouraged to comment on the student's paper and oral performance. The committee shall be responsible for evaluating the student's final draft and oral defense of the draft. The committee shall evaluate the final draft and oral defense as "Satisfactory," "Satisfactory with Corrections," or "Unsatisfactory."
          1. A "Satisfactory" designation shall fulfill the graduation requirements.
          2. The designation of "Satisfactory with Corrections" may be corrected by the student in the same semester to a "Satisfactory." The designation suggests a work substantially complete but lacking certain requirements.
          3. An "Unsatisfactory" designation reflects an oral defense or thesis that is substantially below the requirements for graduation. Upon receipt of an "Unsatisfactory" designation, the student shall meet with the Director of the Energy Law Center to review the student's progress in the program. The student shall be given an opportunity to meet the thesis and oral defense requirements in a subsequent semester. A second failure will disqualify the student from the LL.M. program.
    5. Students are required to comply with the University and College of Law codes of student behavior.
    6. The faculty of the College of Law and the Director of the Energy Law Center shall prescribe and administer such rules, regulations, policies, and practices effecting, clarifying, defining or qualifying the above stated faculty regulations to conform with the standards of the American Bar Association, or of the Association of American Law Schools, and otherwise as it may determine in the best interests of the College of Law and the Energy Law Center to effect a liberal construction of the tenor and spirit of these regulations in providing high quality, professional legal education.
  4. Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other related resources
    1. Rules
    2. Procedures
    3. Guidelines
    4. Forms
    5. Other related resource materials
  5. References:
    1. (Reserved)
  6. Contacts:
    1. Policy Owner:
      1. Questions about this Policy and any related Rules, Procedures and Guidelines should be directed to the Dean of the Graduate School.
      Policy Officers:
        Only the Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences or their designees have the authority to grant exceptions to this policy.
  7. History:
    1. Approved: University Senate 6/6/83
    2. Approved: Institutional Council 6/13/83

Policy: 6-212 Rev:
Date: Sept. 1, 1983
Last Updated: 8/4/21