Oil and Gas Law Certificate

Students who desire to concentrate their elective studies on oil and gas law can seek a Certificate in Oil and Gas Law. The Certificate is faculty recognition the student has successfully completed a structured program of oil and gas law study that includes the following:

Course Work

16 Hours Total, Comprised of the following:

Required Courses

• Oil and Gas Law (LW 740 - 3 Hours)
• Advanced Oil and Gas Law (LW 855 - 3 Hours).

Optional Curriculum Courses

10 credit hours selected from the courses listed below.

• Directed Research (topic approved by Certificate Advisor) (LW 763 - 1-2 Hours)
• Drafting Contracts and Conveyances (LW 946 - 1 Hour)
• Energy Regulation (LW 803 - 2 Hours)
• Environmental Law (LW 744 - 3 Hours)
• Environmental Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry (LW 967 - 1-2 Hours)
• Externship I (placement approved by Certificate Advisor) (LW 921 - 2-4 Hours)
• Externship II (placement approved by Certificate Advisor) (LW 922 - 2 Hours)
• Federal Indian Law (LW 841 - 3 Hours)
• Independent Study in Oil and Gas Law (LW 969 - 1-2 Hours)
• International Petroleum Arbitration (LW 972 - 1 Hour)
• International Petroleum Transactions (LW 973 - 3 Hours)
• Mineral Title Examination (LW 952 - 1 Hour)
• Mining Law (LW 977 - 1 Hour)
• Natural Resources Law and Policy (LW 774 - 2-3 hours)
• Oil and Gas Conservation Law and Practice (LW 966 - 1 Hour)
• Oil and Gas Joint Operation (LW 856 - 2 Hours)
• Oil and Gas Taxation (LW 968 - 1 Hour)
• Public Land Law (LW 747 - 3 Hours)
• Renewable Energy Law: Wind and Solar (LW 985 - 1 hour)
• Taxation of Business Enterprises (LW 940 - 3 hours
• Water Law (LW 742 - 3 Hours)

Extracurricular Study

100 hours of extracurricular programming approved in advance by the Center Director. Throughout the year extracurricular opportunities will be posted, including programs and special projects sponsored by the Oil and Gas Law Center. Students can also identify programs and projects for review by the Center Director. The Center Director will assign the time that will be credited to an approved extracurricular activity.

Practical Professional Experience in Oil and Gas Law

Students must complete a practical professional experience where they have the opportunity to experience oil and gas law in action. This requirement may be met through an appropriate externship, internship, or other work-related relationship. It may be fulfilled in conjunction with an approved extracurricular activity. The goal is to bring students together with oil and gas practitioners to actively participate in addressing legal issues as they unfold.

Writing Requirement

Complete the upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on a pre-approved Oil and Gas Law topic. Students may satisfy the Certificate writing requirement through Directed Research (LW763 ; see also Standards) or an alternative writing opportunity approved in advance by the Center Director. Students must receive a grade of "B" or better on the paper they submit to satisfy the writing requirement.

General Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the Certificate must first meet with the Center Director to declare their interest and plan a course of study. When possible, this should be done prior to completing 40 hours of study.

The student must complete 90 hours of total law school credit and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the 16 hours of courses selected by the student to meet the Certificate requirements.

Note: Students who declared their intent to pursue a Certificate prior to June 1, 2021, and who obtained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for courses used to satisfy their Certificate requirements, will be awarded the Certificate in Oil and Gas Law (with distinction).

Revised: November 29, 2021.

Short URL for this page:
https://washburnlaw.edu/oilandgascertificate