Environmental Studies, BA

Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment

81-86 credits

Introduction

Students, faculty, and staff in the Department of Environmental Studies approach environmental understanding and problem solving through diverse programs that examine interacting social and natural systems. By putting the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and environmental professions into direct dialogue, the department’s curriculum is designed to help students make the intellectual connections and gain the practical skills necessary for building socially and environmentally sustainable futures. The department’s undergraduate programs include major specializations in environmental education, environmental policy, geography, and urban planning and sustainable development, as well as an interdisciplinary major in environmental studies. Joint programs are also offered in environmental economics and environmental journalism. A range of minors, including Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Geographic Information Science (GIS), and Sustainable Design, are also available. These programs direct students to specific environmental career paths or provide an excellent background for advanced study in education, law, natural resource management, public administration, urban and environmental planning, and other fields. The department also offers advanced study through graduate degrees in Environmental Education and Geography.

Why Consider an Environmental Studies Major?

Do you want to use your knowledge and skills to promote positive change in the environment?

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

Sample Careers

Environmental Public Relations | Director of Non-Profit Organizations

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.

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.