About
Details at a Glance
School Type
PrivateApplication Fee
$60Average In-State Tuition
$49,700Average Out-of-State Tuition
$49,700Financial Aid Available
Yes
Degrees Offered
Our Program
Vermont Law School is an independent, private, ABA-Accredited law and graduate school. VLS is the premier environmental law school in the U.S., offering more courses in the field than any other law school. The school offers a Juris Doctor degree that can be completed in two years (accelerated), three years (traditional), or in a reduced residency format. VLS has three environmental Master's degrees which include a Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy, and a Master of Energy Regulation and Law. Additionally, VLS is the only law school to offer a Master of Arts in Restorative Justice and a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice. The Center for Justice Reform was created to train students and criminal justice professionals to tackle the deficiencies in our criminal justice system with the aim of meaningful criminal justice reform.
From its founding, VLS has consistently attracted students and faculty with a passion for service, a concern for justice, and an interest in pursuing legal education as a means to make a difference in the world. More than half of our students enroll in experiential or clinical programs. The current student body represents nearly every U.S. state and over a dozen countries. VLS grads work in government, nonprofit, private commerce, education and other fields nationally and globally.
Admissions
Application Fee
$60
Requirements
- Certified Academic Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- The LSAT Exam is required for JD degree options.
- No standardized tests are required for the Master's degrees and Professional Certificate.
- TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score is required of all students for whom English is not the primary language spoken. Applicants who have studied in the U.S. or at an English-speaking institution for more than two years may be waived from this requirement.
Application Deadline
On-Campus Programs
Summer Start: March 1
Fall Start Priority: April 15; Space Available: July 15
Online Programs
Online programs have multiple starts per year. Please inquire for details.
Student Body
Total Students
660 Students
Inclusion
- Dedicated Diversity Office
Clubs & Associations
Student-led organizations are an integral part of the Vermont Law School experience. A majority of students participate in one of the many clubs and organizations that focus on community service, governance, affinity, special interest and advocacy, extra and co-curricular, and sports and recreation. You can find a list of students groups here: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/community/student-groups.
What Our Students Say
Vermont Law School's environmental curriculum, small class sizes and outside learning opportunities has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to be an environmental policy maker, but what truly makes VLS special is the caring community of students, faculty and staff.
Bailey Grebbin, Master of Environmental Law and Policy ‘19At VLS you’re surrounded by leaders who see a problem and ask themselves, ‘What am I going to do about this?’ The school encourages involvement.
Tamara Toles, JD/MSEL ‘09Students are supportive of one another here in a way that I would challenge any other law school to even come close to—and they’re committed to their ideals in a way that makes working and studying a lot easier.
Blake Johnson, JD ‘11
Vermont Law School's environmental curriculum, small class sizes and outside learning opportunities has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to be an environmental policy maker, but what truly makes VLS special is the caring community of students, faculty and staff.
At VLS you’re surrounded by leaders who see a problem and ask themselves, ‘What am I going to do about this?’ The school encourages involvement.
Students are supportive of one another here in a way that I would challenge any other law school to even come close to—and they’re committed to their ideals in a way that makes working and studying a lot easier.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Average In-State Tuition
$49,700Average Out-of-State Tuition
$49,700
Additional Information
- Work-study Programs Available
- Financial Aid Available
- Application Fee Waivers Available
- Master's Tuition: $42,000
- 9 Credit Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice $5,400
- Merit and need based scholarships are available for the Masters and JD degree students
Location & Contact
Phone
Email