Environmental Policy, BA

Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment

76-83 credits

Introduction

This interdisciplinary program prepares students to enter professional fields concerned with the sustainability of the human and natural environment. The Environmental Policy program consists of a core, and specialization electives. The core incorporates the interdisciplinary foundation of Huxley College’s approach to the study of the environment. Environmental policy concentrates on studies in public policy development, governance, law, and methods and processes of planning and decision-making. The specialization elective component of the program is flexible. It allows students to develop an area of special interest, concentrating on a minor in an academic discipline, or to select from a number of thematically oriented clusters of courses.

Why Consider an Environmental Policy Major?

Do you want to use your knowledge and skills to promote positive change in the environment? Do you love solving problems and implementing shared visions in both natural settings and the policy arena? Are you interested in the laws and policies that govern environmental change? Then Environmental Policy is the major for you.

Contact Information

Department Chair Grace Wang Arntzen Hall 212 360-650-3278 Grace.Wang@wwu.edu

Huxley College Professional Advisor Kathryn Patrick Environmental Studies 539 360-650-3520 Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu Policy Track Advisor Troy Abel Troy.Abel@wwu.edu Policy Track Advisor Kate Darby Arntzen Hall 209 darbyk@wwu.edu

Policy Track Advisor Jean Melious Arntzen Hall 208 Jean.Melious@wwu.edu Policy Track Advisor Grace Wang Arntzen Hall 212 Grace.Wang@wwu.edu Policy Track Advisor Mark Neff Arntzen Hall 205 Mark.Neff@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Environmental Lawyer | County Planner | Environmental Public Relations | Director of Non-Profit Organizations | Municipal Government

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

How to Apply as a Pre-Major:

At any time, you can declare yourself as a pre-major with interest in environmental policy or any other major in the Department of Environmental Studies. There are several advantages to declaring an Environmental Studies department pre-major during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a pre-major you are assigned a Huxley professional advisor and a faculty advisor based on your academic interests. Your professional advisor can help you understand graduation requirements and how to navigate through the Huxley curriculum. Your faculty advisor can discuss with you which courses to take, and when, and give you advice about how to prepare for graduate school or a future career. As a pre-major, your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements. Pre-major status will also give you access to priority registration for some classes.

How to Apply to the Major:

Admission to the environmental policy major is a competitive process. To apply, students should submit an application that includes a 1-2 page essay describing your reasons for wanting to enter into the major, as well as a plan of study created with the Huxley professional advisor and signed by a faculty advisor. Environmental policy major applications are accepted at central Huxley College office in ES 539 during fall, winter, and spring quarters.

If you have any questions, please contact a professional advisor at the Huxley College Student Support 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.