Environmental Law and Policy - Online Minor

Explore the laws and policies that govern our natural resources

Most environmental and natural resource challenges are caused by human activity and government policy. Studying the legal frameworks that impact our planet can help you identify better solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.

When you earn a minor in environmental law and policy, you’ll explore the laws and policies that govern natural resources in the U.S. from a variety of perspectives. Working with expert faculty in Oregon State’s Department of Applied Economics, you’ll study the economic and legal reasoning related to environmental policy decisions and be better able to analyze policy-making. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the powers and constraints of using policy tools and legal structures to address environmental issues.

Coursework

In this 27-credit minor, you’ll study how law and policy impact a variety of environmental issues like climate change, energy conservation, natural resource management, soil and water quality, fish passages and more. 

Curriculum details and minor requirements are available on Oregon State’s academic catalog.

Sample course topics

• Environmental law, policy, and economics
• Agricultural law 
• Environmental politics and policy
• Environmental ethics
• Law in philosophical perspective
• Science and politics
• International environmental politics and policy

Benefits of learning online with Oregon State

• All classes are developed by Oregon State's world-class faculty, who are renowned for their research, expertise and innovation.
• Oregon State is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Oregon State Ecampus consistently ranks among the nation’s 10 best providers of online education according to U.S. News & World Report.
• OSU Ecampus students receive the same certificate and transcript as on-campus students.