Earn your LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law in as little as 12 months as a full-time student or 15 months while working full-time. Develop expertise across the entire energy life cycle, including drafting oil and gas contracts, negotiating mineral rights, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
OU Law offers a premier learning environment, uniquely positioned in the heart of the energy industry. Our renowned faculty bring real-world experience in oil, gas, and energy law, providing practical insights that go beyond the classroom. With small class sizes and a collaborative online format, you’ll join a close-knit community that supports your success.
12+ Months
24
10 to 20 Hours Weekly
Fall, Spring
Oklahoma residents pay $612.65 per credit hour, plus $201.30 in additional fees per credit hour and a $2,617.50* per-semester fee.
Non-residents pay $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus $201.30 in additional fees per credit hour and a $2,617.50* per-semester fee.
*The LLM semester fee is reduced by $2,500 after the 4th semester.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
The OU College of Law’s online LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law is a 24-credit-hour program designed for practicing attorneys and recent law graduates who want to deepen their expertise in energy and natural resources law. This advanced degree equips you with the legal knowledge to navigate the complexities of the energy or oil and gas industries from every angle.
If you do not hold a law degree but are seeking to gain a strong understanding of energy and natural resources law, you may be interested in the Online Master of Legal Studies in Energy & Natural Resources Law program.
Whether you are expanding your current practice or preparing for future roles in energy and natural resources law, this program delivers a comprehensive curriculum that covers upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. You’ll gain practical skills in contract law, mineral rights, and regulatory compliance—essential tools for managing high-stakes negotiations and transactions.
Courses are taught by experienced legal scholars and industry practitioners, delivered in flexible seven-week modules with two modules per semester. With a short break between modules, the program fits seamlessly into your professional schedule. You’ll build a competitive edge in the energy sector, whether you’re drafting oil and gas contracts, handling real estate transactions, or collaborating with legal teams on complex deals.
The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (the “Council”) does not accredit or approve non-J.D. degrees or certificates. In its review of non-J.D. degree program applications, the Council determines whether the proposed degree program will interfere with the ability of the law school to operate in compliance with the Standards and to carry out its program of legal education. Acquiescence in a degree other than the J.D. degree is not an approval of the degree itself, and, therefore, the law school may not announce that the degree is approved by the Council. The accreditation of non-J.D. degree programs are subject to the oversight of the law school’s or its university’s national accreditor.
Earning your online LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law positions you for high-impact roles across the energy sector and oil and gas industry. This specialized degree opens doors to in-demand careers in oil and gas, renewable energy, environmental law, regulatory compliance, and beyond. Accelerate your career in these areas:
OU College of Law’s online LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law delivers a comprehensive understanding of the legal challenges and opportunities shaping the global energy industry. You will be prepared to:
The Master of Laws in Energy and Natural Resources Law delivers a deep dive into the legal frameworks that power the energy industry. This program emphasizes contract and real property law, legal drafting, oil and gas law, regulatory practice, and energy development on public lands. You’ll gain the specialized legal knowledge needed to navigate complex transactions and regulatory landscapes across the energy sector—and much more.
Credit Hours: 2
Explores the formation, drafting, interpretation and enforceability of contractual promises. Subjects include contract formation, performance, termination of contracts, material breach, remedies for breach of contract, mistake and excuse for nonperformance, statute of frauds, interpretation of contract language, conditions, assignment and delegation, and third-party beneficiaries.
Credit Hours: 1
Presents an overview of the production life cycle from discovery to development and production of oil and gas. The course examines the different roles of the key players in each stage of this process.
Credit Hours: 2
Nature of property interests in oil and gas; conveyancing of interests in oil and gas; legal interests created by oil and gas leases; validity of leases; habendum, drilling, and rental clauses; assignment of interests of lessor and lessee; rents and royalties; and conservation of oil and gas.
Credit Hours: 3
This course may no longer be offered. If you believe there is an error or require more information, please contact the course department.
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of specific provisions in contracts prevalent in the oil and gas industry for exploration, production, and development of oil and gas properties and for investment; the nature of the relationships created by such contracts; the rights and duties of the parties; income tax consequences of particular contracts.
Credit Hours: 1
The system of water rights as related for energy extraction and development, including riparian, appropriation, and prescriptive rights; stream, surface, and ground water; transfer and termination of rights; injuries caused by water; development of water supplies; federal-state, interstate, and intrastate conflicts; water pollution control; federal and Indian rights; and federal water resource problems.
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the oil and gas leasing and development of onshore federal, state, and Indian lands. Explores the leasing of railroad rights of way and lands belonging to local governments.
Credit Hours: 2
Teaches effective negotiation and communication skills through a series of mock negotiation exercises. In addition, this course will discuss ethical dilemmas raised in the oil and gas industry.
Credit Hours: 2
Introduces basic property concepts relevant for the oil and gas and energy industries, including adverse possession; estates in land; mineral title, surface title, co-ownership, non-possessory interests (including easements, real covenants and equitable servitudes).
Credit Hours: 2
How does one discover a client's objectives and then translate them into legal text (contracts, etc.) that has the best chance of accomplishing what the client wants? This skills course considers many different forms of legal drafting, focusing primarily on legal work intended for oil and gas contracts and surface-related agreement drafting.
Credit Hours: 2
A study of the terms and legal issues involved in drafting, executing, enforcing, and recording real estate contracts, including obtaining and evaluating title evidence, different types of deeds, and basic financing.
Credit Hours: 2
Examines federal and state environmental laws that affect oil and gas lease transactions, drilling and completion operations, and production activities.
Credit Hours: 1
Students will be instructed on how to conduct energy-related research using a variety of sources, but especially using online resources
Credit Hours: 3
Offers a practical skills approach to oil and gas practice. This course will examine the regulation of oil and gas exploration, development, and production, including conservation law designed to prevent waste and protect correlative rights. The class will address securing a drilling permit, settling surface damage, well spacing and density.
Credit Hours: 1
Provides an overview and an examination of the legal issues facing the midstream oil and gas industry. Midstream industry provides the infrastructure necessary to gather, process, transport, store and market crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and refined products.
Credit Hours: 2
Introduces the economics and finance of capital-intensive projects, especially those involving power generation, public infrastructure, and extractive industries. Students will receive a broad overview of the project finance market, showing a typical project finance deal and the main players involved. The costs, benefits, and risks associated with project finance are also described.
The OU College of Law stands out as a top destination for earning your Master of Laws in Energy and Natural Resources Law. Backed by the University of Oklahoma’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence, OU Law combines deep expertise in energy law with a legacy of value. The college’s Juris Doctor program consistently ranks among the nation’s best for value, making it a smart investment for advancing your legal career.
Faculty members are carefully selected for their expertise in all aspects of energy and natural resources law. They draw from their in-depth experience and research to address the latest legal and political changes across all energy industries.
OU Online and the OU College of Law accommodate the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your energy law expertise while maintaining full-time employment. The program offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center.
As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful community of leaders working in all aspects of the energy industry, helping you expand your legal career. With over 250,000 alumni worldwide, joining the OU Online community means gaining access to a global network of legal and business professionals.
The Master of Laws in Energy and Natural Resources Law is delivered 100 percent online in a flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Study from anywhere while building specialized legal expertise that advances your career in the energy industry. Earn your degree in as little as 12 months as a full-time student or 15 months while continuing to work full-time.
Courses are fully asynchronous to give you maximum flexibility, while still offering a highly interactive and engaging learning experience. You’ll move through the program with a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for energy and natural resources law. Through dynamic discussion boards, optional live lectures, personalized one-on-one support, and collaborative online activities, you’ll stay connected and supported—while learning at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Earning your degree in Energy and Natural Resources Law is a strategic investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment as accessible and transparent as possible.
Oklahoma residents pay $612.65 per credit hour, plus $201.30 in additional fees per credit hour and a $2,617.50* per-semester fee.
Non-residents pay $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus $201.30 in additional fees per credit hour and a $2,617.50* per-semester fee.
*The LLM semester fee is reduced by $2,500 after the 4th semester.
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Our dedicated financial services team is here to support you every step of the way—so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.
For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.
A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.
* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
OU Online
338 Cate Center Drive, Rm. 381
Norman, Oklahoma 73072
