University of Tulsa - College of Law

The Law School

TU Law is growing. In fact, TU Law was recently ranked in the top 100 law schools in the US by U.S. News and World Report marking an unparalleled leap in the law school rankings. The University of Tulsa has a long standing tradition of quality education in energy and the law school is no different. TU Law, in partnership with the Energy Bar Association, publishes the preeminent Energy Law Journal, one of the few academic journals focusing exclusively on issues in energy and environmental law and one which has been cited repeatedly by the Supreme Court.

The City of Tulsa is considered an international leader in the energy world, thus it is no surprise that TU Law is a leader and focal point in energy law. In addition to the Energy Law Journal, the University also hosts the National Energy Policy Institute, an organization dedicated to comprehensive energy policy analysis. TU has also partnered with distinguished alumni and energy and environmental law professionals to establish the S.E.R.L. Board of Visitors. LL.M. students will have the opportunity to interact and network with these practicing professionals.

The Program

Masters of Law in American Law for Foreign Lawyers: ENERGY LAW Concentration

To earn the LL.M. degree in American Law with an Energy Law concentration, students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of courses over two semesters and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.This program features a concentration in energy law allowing students to examine the legal and public policy approaches for achieving the important goals of energy reliability, sustainable supplies of natural resources, and a healthy environment. This program is offered solely to international students (students who have not received a J.D. from an A.B.A accredited school.)

Click here for a detailed description of the application procedures

Required Courses:
- Introduction to United States Law: This class affords the foreign law student a firm and sound basis to build the future of their education.
- Legal Research and Writing for Foreign Students: At TU law, the practice of lawyering is taught by practice. This class engages students to perform the practical aspects of working in the legal field.
- Legal English: Designed for LL.M. students, this course provides or reinforces in the student, a solid legal vocabulary.
- Administrative Law: This area of law is rapidly expanding, both in the US and abroad, and both energy and environmental law contain substantial administrative law components. From regulatory compliance, to US agency relations, to government/corporation negotiation, our LL.M. students are given an opportunity to study the most relevant and topical of legal energy concepts.

Energy/Regulatory Courses (Pick 3):
- Basic Oil and Gas: Emphasis of study includes (1) Accumulation, Ownership and Conservation of oil and gas, (2) The oil and gas lease, (3) Nature and protection of interests in oil & gas, and (4) Titles and Conveyance
- Advanced Oil and Gas: This class focuses on the complex web of legal relationships involved in oil and gas exploration and development, from geophysical exploration to product marketing.
*Note: Prerequisite is Basic Oil and Gas
- International Energy and Natural Resource Law: an examination of International legal principles applicable to the exploitation of energy resources in the oceans, Antarctica, and outer space
- Native American and Natural Resource Law: Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this course with a refresher on basic Indian Law, and then examines specific issues including resource development, water rights, treaty rights, and international approaches to indigenous property rights.
- Regulated Industries: This study explores why and how governments economically regulate businesses. Topics covered include theories justifying economic regulation of business, theories of regulatory failure, and economic regulation of the natural gas and electric power industries.

Environment / Natural Resources (Pick 2):
- Environmental Law: This course is comprised of a survey of major common law and statutory responses to environmental threats, and also delves deep into major federal regulatory laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
- International Environmental Law: This course applies the principles of international law to international environmental problems, and also considers environmental law treaties. Topics include acid rain, ozone layer depletion, hazardous waste disposal, and global climate issues.
- Natural Resources & Environmental Law on Federal Lands: This class examines "public land law" and chronicles the competing claims to resources contained on and in federally owned lands. Two environmental statutes are paid particular due, those being the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.
- Water Law: This course covers the major methods by which various states allocate the rights to use water among competing water uses and users. Topics include the major legal systems for allocating surface and ground water, Federal Reserved Water Rights, and various Public Trusts Doctrines.

Independent Study Project (Optional)
Students have the option of producing a substantial research paper on the topic of their choice. The project is overseen and graded by two faculty members.

The Faculty

With around 325 students, TU College of Law has an impressive 11:1 student faculty ratio. Classes are designed for as few as 11 and no more than 65 students. Tulsa's 27 full-time and 24 adjunct faculty members are exceptional professors, recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise. The distinguished and renowned faculty at TU Law are the heart of the energy law program; their expertise is the driving force behind TU's commitment to excellence and progress in the Energy Law field. TU law is fortunate to have professors who have earned and maintained, through both publication and instruction, reputations as leaders in their fields including Gary Allison (Energy Policy, Environmental Law, Water Law), Robert Butkin (Energy Law Journal Advisor, State Administrative Law), Marla Mansfield (Oil and Gas, Environmental Law, Natural Resource Law), and Judith Royster (Federal Indian Law, Environmental Law, Water Law, and Natural Resource Law). TU law is further bolstered by the service of superior adjunct faculty including active practicing attorney and International Environmental Moot Court Competition Coach Jason Aamodt, as well as long time energy field practioner Diana Hall.

The Facilities

Over the last nine years, the College of Law has committed itself to achieve a physical facility capable of supporting a legal program grounded in academic excellence and technological growth. With the support of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends, the College of Law has made substantial improvements to John Rogers Hall. It also boasts a "state of the art" law library and legal information center ranked one of the best in the country, by National Jurist Magazine.

- The Mabee Legal Information Center: In 2000, the College of Law library was renovated, remodeled, and incorporated into the new Mabee Legal Information Center (MLIC). The MLIC, a 10.4 million dollar project, includes space for two law journals, centers and certificate programs, and a growing alumni organization and associated activities. The MLIC, with over 400,000-volume collection and nine professional librarians, was recently ranked as the 34th best law school library in the nation by National Jurist. The MLIC is a resource-rich and technologically-advanced facility, giving students and the Tulsa legal community access to the highest standard in legal study and research.
- The Wm. Stuart Price and Michael C. Turpen Courtroom: Designed for the future of legal instruction, everything in the facility is state-of-the-art - sound system, broadcast and recording capabilities, videoconferencing and wireless network. This courtroom functions as a training ground for future trial lawyers, a practice field for moot court competitions, and a classroom for superior legal education.
- The Boesche Legal Clinic: TU's award-winning Boesche Legal Clinic represents another important aspect of legal education - clinical instruction. This technologically-advanced facility allows TU law students to meet real clients with real problems, in a law firm simulated setting that allows them to put their legal skills and classroom education to the test while under the close supervision of a staff attorney.
- Technological Excellence: The College of Law has 802.11g wireless access throughout the building. Law students also have wireless Internet access across the entire 200 acre University campus (both indoor and outdoor coverage). Classrooms are equipped with touchscreen control systems and a full array of technology including front projection systems, computers, laptop connections, and document cameras.

Application Procedure

LL.M Application Requirements

- Apply through LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- Complete Official Transcripts (all applicants must submit through LSAC).
- Submit an 800 word Personal Statement (in English)
- Submit a writing sample (brief, law review article, or any scholarly work in English, preferably concerning a legal topic)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Sufficient score on TOEFL or IELTS exam
For additional information please visit http://www.utulsa.edu/law/energylawllm or contact: lawadmissions@utulsa.edu, 918-631-3540.

Tuition and Fees

TU law is a quality, affordable option for your LL.M., and is the most affordable LL.M. program in the U.S. News and World Report Top 100 US Law Schools.

Likewise, the cost of living in Tulsa is very affordable: In 2009, Forbes rated Tulsa the number fifth most livable city in America. For the 2013-14 school year, the cost for LL.M. tuition is $28,000. Given the low student to professor ratio, the quality of the education, and the opportunities available to students, an LL.M. degree from TU College of Law offers a tremendous value.

Location

Tulsa is at once a vibrant metropolis and small town jewel. City streets are laid out in a grid fashion and easily navigable by visitors. Tulsa's landmarks include the celebrated BOK center, legendary Cain's Ballroom, and the river trails dotting the downtown landscape. With the low cost of living and the amenities of a larger more populated area, Tulsa combines sophistication and a sense of community.

In its vibrant urban environment, The University of Tulsa offers a diversity of learning experiences, a balance between career preparation and liberal education, teaching, and research, and endeavors to instill in its students an understanding that stature as an individual and value as a member of society depend upon continual learning.

Accommodation

Norman Village Apartments located on-campus, conveniently situated down the street from the College of Law, offer law students luxurious one and two bedroom apartments that feature off-street parking, spacious living room and dining areas, full-size kitchens with utility areas for washers and dryers. Many apartments also have fireplaces and/or vaulted ceilings, and all have a patio or balcony.

In lieu of the University Apartments, we recognize that some of our students prefer to live off campus for various reasons. If you decide that living on-campus is not preferable, we recommend you use an independent apartment locator with whom many of our students work to assess individual needs and streamline the selection to only those apartments that would be best for you.

Student Services & Professional Development

TU College of Law is committed to your growth as a legal Scholar. The college offers high levels of academic support and faculty accessibility. Additionally, at TU we are committed to fostering your success from admission through employment. In fact, we firmly believe the most meaningful measure of our own success lies in the ability of our graduates to launch rewarding careers in the legal profession. We have a highly proactive Office of Professional Development that serves alumni as well as current students. As a TU Law graduate, you will be connected to a broader alumni network that spans all 50 states and abroad.