Environmental Studies (Extension), BA

Department of Environmental Studies, College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region

84 credits

Introduction

WWU College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region (SSR) is a distance based, hybrid interactive network that allows students to actively work alongside world-famous researchers located in Poulsbo, Port Angeles, and Everett, Washington. As a direct transfer pathway program, freshman and sophomore students in regional community colleges have guidance into four-year, direct transfer degree programs into SSR. Designed for working students, classes are scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are initiated utilizing hybrid modality that combines in-person teaching, hands on field labs, and interactive video conferencing. 

Academic programming is designed to prepare tomorrow’s interdisciplinary problem solvers by integrating educational course work, faculty-student collaboration, applied research, and professional and community service. Based on the College of the Environment’s Bellingham campus interdisciplinary curricula, College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to understanding human-environment systems and environmental challenges. The College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region 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. The Environmental Studies major equips students to succeed as environmental professionals through experiential learning and advanced coursework in each degree pathway, either a GIS emphasis or a minor in Environmental Science.

Why Consider an Environmental Studies (Extension) Major with an Environmental Science Minor?

Do you want to use your knowledge and skills to promote positive change in the environment? Do you want to understand the interactions and interdependencies between human and natural systems? Do you want an interdisciplinary education that reflects the complexity of society’s environmental challenges? Do you want to learn to communicate and integrate knowledge across areas of environmental expertise? Then the College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region Environmental Studies degree is the major for you.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Applicants are instructed to complete a Direct Transfer Associates (DTA) Degree from the community college that the student is currently attending. College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region advisors and program coordinators work with advisors and faculty at partnered community colleges to advise students to take preparatory classes during their freshman and sophomore year. Once students have completed, or are completing, the Associate Transfer Degree and required courses, students may apply to the College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region and Western Washington University. Community College equivalent courses of ENVS 201, ENVS 203, MATH 114, BIOL 101, and CHEM 161 must be completed with a C- or better for application to this major. ENVS 204 will be offered within the program.

Questions, contact 360-394-2756 or cenvssr@wwu.edu.

A pre-advising session should be scheduled with cenvssr@wwu.edu to determine readiness for application.

Formal application is made to Western Washington University through the Admissions Office online application process. Once admitted, students will work with a College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region program advisor to select a depth and specialization area by the end of the first fall quarter. 

Outline for Application Process:

• Make a note of the application deadline(s) for Fall Quarter admission.
  • Financial Aid Priority Deadline: January 31
  • Priority Application Deadline: March 1
  • Final Application Deadline: June 1
• Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov; WWU School Code 003802
• Schedule a pre-advising appointment with cenvssr@wwu.edu to determine readiness for the application
• Complete both the Transfer & Post-baccalaureate for Location Program Admission application and the College of the Environment – Salish Sea Region application and submit the $60 application fee by visiting admissions.wwu.edu/apply/location-programs.
• Request an official transcript from institutions where you have earned prior college credit. If you previously attended WWU, it is not necessary to provide WWU transcripts or other transcripts previously submitted to WWU. Have the official transcript sent electronically or in a sealed envelope to:

Western Washington University Office of Admissions
Old Main 200, MS 9009 516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

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.