Environmental Education, BA

Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment

126-133 credits: Phase I, Phase II, and Major

Introduction/What is the Study of Environmental Education?

The major consists of four distinct parts. First, students acquire an understanding of the content of environmental studies. Second, students examine the process of education for an environmental perspective. Third, students investigate ways of applying environmental education content and techniques in the professional roles they may pursue. Fourth, students participate in internships, a field practicum, or research.

Why Consider an Environmental Education Major? 

Are you excited about teaching people about the environment? Do you want to help people learn to make environmental choices in their lives? Do you love to work outdoors with children or adults? Then Environmental Education is for you.

Graduates of this major have assumed positions as teachers in private schools, as interpreters with resource management agencies, as staff in programs for special populations such as at-risk youth and persons with disabilities, among others, and with wilderness education non-profits.

Contact Information

Interim Department Chair Debnath Mookherjee Arntzen Hall 217 360-650-3284 Debnath.Mookherjee@wwu.edu

Huxley College Admissions Advisor Kathryn Patrick Environmental Studies 539 360-650-3520 Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu

Faculty Advisor Gene Myers Arntzen Hall 224 Gene.Myers@wwu.edu Faculty Advisor John Miles Arntzen Hall 202 John.Miles@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Private School Teacher | Outdoor Leadership Director | Environmental Interpreter | Adventure Educator | Camp Director | Nature Writer | Naturalist | Communications work in Sustainability Non-profits and Government Agencies

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

You can declare yourself as an Environmental Studies (ENVS) major at any time, and there are several advantages to declaring during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a phase I major you are assigned a Huxley faculty advisor based on your interests at the time of declaration. You can then meet with your faculty advisor to discuss which courses to take and when, how to prepare for graduate school or a future career, or simply to get assistance navigating through the Huxley curriculum. Your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements, as well as information about jobs, internships, or research opportunities.

Some important information about the ENVS major:

1. Most students begin the ENVS major in Phase I, while completing the preparatory classes for ENVS Phase II admission (BIOL 101 or 204, PLSC 250, ECON 206, Math 114 or equivalent, CHEM 121, as well as ENVS 201, 202, and 203). You can declare an ENVS Phase I major at any time by going to the central Huxley College office in Environmental Studies Building 539 and filling out a major declaration card. 

2. Admission to Phase II is a competitive process and requires the coursework above and a grade of B- or better in ENVS 201, ENVS 202, and ENVS 203, as well as a satisfactory GPA in all other coursework. You must then submit an application that includes a 1-2 page essay describing your reasons for wanting to enter into one of the five ENVS majors (Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Planning, or Policy) as well as a plan of study created with the Huxley admissions advisor and signed by a faculty advisor. Entry into the Urban Planning major also requires a portfolio, and entry into the Environmental Studies major requires the signature of a second departmental faculty member on the plan of study. ENVS Phase II applications are accepted at central Huxley College office in the fall, winter, and spring quarters.

3. Changes to your major, plan of study, or requests for a change of advisor during Phase II require completing a new declaration card.

If you have any questions, please contact an undergraduate advisor at the central Huxley College office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or by phone (360-650-2817), or (360-650-3748).

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.