Environmental & Sustainability Studies

Program Description

Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENVST) is a STEM interdisciplinary program that offers a major with several emphases to focus your study, as well as a minor. The curriculum explores ecological systems and the impact of human-environment interactions from the perspectives of the natural sciences, the social and health sciences, and the humanities. The U’s program strives to foster an understanding of the multi-faceted issues of the environment and sustainability. Students explore challenges and seek solutions through systemic analysis, peer learning, civic responsibility, and leadership. Research, internship, and community engagement experiences are cornerstones of the program. Emphases associated with the ENVST major include:

• Air, Water, and Health
• Conservation and Land Management
• Ecojustice Education
• Food Systems and Community

 

The Student Experience

A student internship, research project, or an Honors Thesis is required for ENVST majors as part of experiential learning. Many students earn stipends while engaged in these activities, either through organizations sponsoring internships or via fellowships offered by the Office of Undergraduate Research or the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy. Fellowship programs also offer small grants  to support research activities. Several courses also include Community Engaged Learning (CEL) designations, allowing students to engage in service, network with community professionals, connect with local citizens, and affect positive change.  There are a number of student groups associated with the program who engage outside of coursework to collaborate on projects, host events, volunteer in the Edible Campus Gardens, and recreate on and off campus. As of Fall 2025, the student experience will include the opportunity to be a part of the Sustainability Action & Leading Together Living Learning Community (SALT LLC) at Kahlert Village.

Career Opportunities

Studying ENVST will prepare you for careers in variety of sectors. Graduates of the program have found work as policy makers and policy analysts, environmental consultants and environmental specialists, botanists, wildlife conservationists, air and water resource managers, renewable energy developers, sustainability program managers, urban planners, environmental educators, environmental journalists, entrepreneurs, and directors of not-for-profit organizations. If you want to go to graduate school, programs can include fields of environmental and other sciences, business administration, public health, environmental policy, urban planning and law.

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More Info

• School of Environment, Society & Sustainability
• College of Social & Behavioral Science
• Department Advising
• U Career Success

Catalog

• Environmental & Sustainability Studies BA/BS
• Environmental & Sustainability Studies Minor

Exploratory Classes

• ENV 2100 - Environment and Society
• ENVST 2050 - Intro to Environmental Science
• ENVST 2051 - Intro to Environmental Science Lab