Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Partners with Yale University’s School of the Environment to Provide Several Joint Degree Options

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and Yale University’s School of the Environment have enhanced their already existing partnership to offer students several new joint degree options. Since 2001, Haub Law students have had the option to pursue a joint degree with Yale University, with a JD degree from Haub Law and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale’s School of the Environment. Recently, three new joint degree options were added to the Haub Law/Yale partnership, including a JD/Master of Environmental Science (MESc), JD/Master of Forestry (MF), and a JD/Master of Forest Science (MFS).

“As the number one ranked environmental law program, Haub Law is proud to foster expansive opportunities for its students to collaborate with other academic institutions, scholars, and students,” said Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Jason Czarnezki. “Providing a top-notch environmental legal education involves collaboration. We are proud to expand our long existing partnership with Yale with the addition of these new degree options, which our participating students will benefit tremendously from.”

Indy Burke, Dean of the Yale School of the Environment, added, “To meet the unprecedented challenge of the climate crisis, we need leaders in every sector of our economy who have an understanding of environmental science and policy. The joint-degree program with the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University prepares students to navigate complex legal and environmental issues and be strong advocates for a sustainable future.”

"The joint-degree program with the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University prepares students to navigate complex legal and environmental issues and be strong advocates for a sustainable future.” - Indy Burke, Dean of the Yale School of the Environment

“The aim of the joint degree program is to broaden the skill set and the imagination that a law degree brings,” said the program’s director, Haub Law Professor Josh Galperin. “The joint degree program allows students to expand their vision as they go into the field of environmental law. Students learn to work in teams, to collaborate, and to think about problems beyond their legal dimensions, in a way that reflects the real-world practice of environmental law.” Professor Galperin has been involved with the program for almost two decades, first as a student in the program, then as a lecturer at Yale Law School and Yale’s School of the Environment, and now as the program director at Haub Law.

In recent years, Haub Law’s joint degree offering with Yale has seen record numbers of applicants and participants with nearly 20 Haub Law students being admitted to the program over the last three years alone. Haub Law 2L, Lauren Lynam, who is pursuing a JD/MEM, said it will help her bridge the current gap between business and environmental law. “I have a multidisciplinary background in environmental science, economics, technology, and law,” said Lynam. “I possess the capability to influence business decision-making with respect to the environment, but I have yet to apply my various areas of expertise in harmony. Earning a Master’s in Environmental Management, from the Yale School of the Environment, will shift my multidisciplinary skills, to an interdisciplinary method in approaching intersected business and environmental issues.”

Haub Law alumni who participated in the joint degree program also note the immense benefits of the unique opportunity. Haub Law alumnus Sean Dixon JD ’09, MEM ’09, LLM ’10, is currently Soundkeeper and Executive Director of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance in Seattle. He said that the joint degree program was instrumental for him in developing the skills he needs in his work protecting the waters in Washington state. “My joint degree afforded me the opportunity to engage with and learn from my fellow students and two sets of world-class faculties; our classes and conversations, taken together through this unique program, built a balanced baseline for my career and helped lock in my commitment to public interest, advocacy, law, and sustainability.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of law has a historical and deep-rooted commitment to fostering collaboration with other academic institutions. In addition to the joint degree opportunities with Yale, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law also offers joint degree opportunities with other university partners, such as Bard College, John Jay College, New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Peace, and more. There is also numerous dual degree opportunities offered by Pace University, allowing students to complete two degrees at Pace often in less time than needed to complete them separately. These dual degree opportunities include JD/LLM (Haub Law), JD/MBA (Haub Law/Pace University Lubin School of Business), JD/MPA (Haub Law/Pace University Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Public Administration), JD/BA or JD/BS (Haub Law/Pace University Dyson College of Arts and Sciences), and BBA/JD (Haub Law/Pace University Lubin School of Business). Haub Law also has entered into over a dozen of academic partnerships with leading international universities, providing opportunities for global research, education, cultural immersion, and more. Learn more about Haub Law’s dual and joint degree and international opportunities.