Environmental Studies, B.A.

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Description

Environmental Studies majors learn to analyze the problems of urban areas, develop solutions, build in more sustainable ways, explore policy issues, and understand the social context of environmental conflicts. Areas of study include groundwater protection, wetlands, pollution prevention, Geographic Information Systems, toxic land contamination, and the treatment of wastewater. Students learn analytical and management skills applicable to employment in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Graduates hold sustainability-focused managerial and administrative roles in governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies. You may go on to hold positions including: Community Engagement Manager, Communications Officer, Environmental Advocacy, Environmental Health and Safety, Executive Director, GIS Specialist, Grant Manager, Land Use Planning, Planning Manager, Program Specialist, Research Assistant, Recycling Coordinator, Sustainability Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator.

What skills are developed within this major?

Skills developed within this major include: analytical skills; problem-solving; critical-thinking; communication; management; and passion for public service.

Tracks

Environmental Planning and Sustainable Development
Environmental Management

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for the degree: 120

Minimum hours required for major: 35-36

School Requirements

Students must fulfill all School of Urban Affairs Requirements , including completion of UST 200 , UST 404 , UST 405 , and UST 490 .

Major-Field Requirements

Environmental Studies majors are required to take the following courses or their transfer equivalents:

A. Required Courses (3 courses)

B. Natural Science Courses

Students choose two sequences from 1, 2 and 3 below (14-15 credit hours)

Sequence 1

Sequence 2

Sequence 3

C. Tracks

Students choose one track from below and select four courses (12-13 credit hours).

1. Environmental Planning and Sustainable Development (13 credit hours)

Required course (4 credit hours)

UST 485 - GIS Principles

Electives - Choose three courses (9 credit hours)

2. Environmental Management (12 credit hours)

Required course (3 credit hours)

UST 442 - Environmental Finance and Capital Budgeting

Electives - Choose three courses (9 credit hours)

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements

Honors/Scholars students pursuing a major within the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs (Urban and Regional Studies, Organizational Leadership, Public Safety Management, Nonprofit Administration, Economic Development, and Environmental Studies) are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of 300-400 level honors courses as described below.

Honors Thesis or Exit Requirements (choose one):

Honors/Scholars students may choose to pursue an Honors thesis, consisting of original research supervised by an Urban Affairs faculty member.
Honors/Scholars students may take UST 489 - Advanced Senior Seminar , UST 452 - Management of Urban and Nonprofit Organizations or another capstone requirement as a contract course.

The remaining 9 credit hours of Honors courses shall consist of any combination of contract courses and regular Honors offerings within the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, with at least one course in the student’s major field.

Accelerated 4+1 Program

See the Environmental Studies, Accelerated 4+1 BA/MA page.