May 21, 2025  
2025-2026 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Western Washington University Catalog

Environmental Studies (Extension), BA

Location(s): WWU - Everett, WWU - Port Angeles, WWU - Poulsbo


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Introduction

WWU College of the Environment - Everett and the Peninsulas is a network of instructional hubs located in regional community colleges in Poulsbo, Port Angeles, and Everett, Washington. First- and second-year students in regional community colleges enter the College of the Environment with junior class status upon completion of an Associate’s in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) or equivalent degree. Additional preparation may be required to fulfill pre-requisites of the selected degree. Once admitted to College of the Environment – Everett and the Peninsulas, students take upper-level courses to complete their bachelor’s degree. To optimize convenience for working students classes are held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weeknights. Class delivery typically uses a hybrid modality - combining in-person classroom teaching, interactive video conferencing, and weekend field labs.

This major uses a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to understanding human-environment systems and environmental challenges, modeled on the College of the Environment’s curricula. Academic programming includes courses in the natural sciences, and social sciences. The educational coursework integrates faculty-student collaboration, applied research, experiential learning though internships, and community service. This is designed to prepare tomorrow’s interdisciplinary problem solvers.

Within the major students elect either an Emphasis in Geographic Information Science (GIS), 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.

Student Resources

Department website: Environmental Studies

Contact information: Ansu John, Academic Program Manager for College of the Environment - Everett and the Peninsulas, 360-650-4784, Ansu.John@wwu.edu

Department advising: See the College of the Environment website for information about programs in Everett and on the Peninsulas.

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

Sample Careers: Environmental Communications, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Advocate, Government Agency Employee, Sustainability Officer, Water Resource Manager, Park Ranger, Forest Service Employee, Educator

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.

Requirements (84 credits minimum)


Environmental Studies (Extension) foundation and core requirements


Foundations Core (26 credits)


MATH 112 or suitable math placement score is necessary for some foundations courses, but higher-level math courses are recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to take chemistry, biology, and MATH 114 as part of their GUR courses to access upper division Environmental Science courses.

Environmental Studies Core Knowledge Areas (28 credits)


Environmental Data Analysis and Communication (8 credits)


The Biophysical Environment (8 credits)


Socio-ecological Systems (4 credits)


Social Justice and the Environment (4 credits)


Institutions and Environmental Governance (4 credits)


Culminating Experience (9 credits)


If students take courses in this Culminating Courses category, the same courses may not be counted in other categories in this major.

Depth and Specialization


Students completing Environmental Studies degrees must choose a pre-defined emphasis, a pre-approved minor, or collaborate with a faculty adviser to develop a student-faculty designed plan of study. All depth and specialization pathways must include at least 20 credits of additional coursework beyond the courses used to fulfill requirements in other areas of the Environmental Studies major.

Environmental Science Minor (21 credits)


Environmental Science Minor  (main campus requirements)

The following courses are offered through the extension program and will fulfill the Environmental Science Minor requirements.

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