Environmental Studies – Policy, Politics, and Governance

Environmental Studies takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to understanding human-environment systems and environmental challenges. The Environmental Studies major includes core classes in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to prepare our students to integrate knowledge from multiple fields of study. Our students learn to analyze and interpret complex environmental data and communicate environmental information for diverse stakeholders. The Environmental Studies major equips students to succeed as environmental professionals through experiential learning and advanced coursework in each student's choice of an emphasis.

Why Consider an Environmental Studies Major with a Policy, Politics, and Governance Emphasis?

Do you want to use your knowledge and skills to engage across difference to identify and promote positive change in human-environment relationships? Do you love solving problems and implementing shared visions in human-environment systems? Are you interested in learning about the myriad ways in which you can participate in the decisions that shape the future? Then the Environmental Studies – Environmental Policy, Politics, and Governance emphasis is for you.

An Environmental Studies – Environmental Policy, Politics, and Governance emphasis is a future-oriented degree that trains students to understand the roots of political disagreement surrounding environmental policies and to bypass those entrenched framings by identifying mutually-agreeable approaches. Students will become familiar with a range of modes of change, including traditional regulatory processes, deliberative ways of engaging across difference, grassroots activism, and corporate governance. With an Environmental Policy, Politics, and Governance Emphasis, you can make a difference working at non-profits, in the private sector, as a consultant, or in the government. Graduates with this emphasis often go on to work in environmental agencies at the federal, tribal, state, and local levels, in consulting and non-profit sectors, or in the business and corporate world. In all of these sectors, graduates are empowered with skills and insights to work towards a more just and sustainable world. Some students go on to graduate studies in science studies, political ecology, natural resource management, environmental law, and related fields.

Environmental consultant | Environmental analyst | Careers with non-profit organizations | Environmental communications | Environmental advocacy | Careers at federal, tribal, and state agencies, such as Forest Service, NOAA, EPA, DNR, Ecology, and local municipalities | Preparatory studies for graduate work in science studies, political ecology, natural resource management, environmental law, and related fields

• The Application for Admission
• $70 non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts (an official transcript evaluation from an approved organization may also be required)
• Evidence of English language proficiency
• Declaration of Financial Responsibility
• An essay that helps the Admissions Committee understand your academic goals, related experiences and/or preparatory course work, and professional goals