Introduction
Geography/Social Studies at the College of the Environment provides a breadth of knowledge in Geography, Environmental Studies, History, Economics, Anthropology, and Political Science. As a Geography/Social Studies major you will be prepared to explore a wide variety of career paths. These include planning, education, environmental agencies and NGOs, business, tourism, GIS, government service, transportation, and many more. Majors in this degree program are highly encouraged to include a minor in their plan of study such as: Environmental Studies, GIS, Energy Policy, East Asian or Canadian-American Studies, or areas like a foreign language. In addition, it meets Washington State requirements for a teaching endorsement, Geography/Social Studies can also prepare you for teaching in non-traditional settings with or without the additional certification from Woodring College. Students with a degree in Geography/Social Studies can also go on to graduate work in Geography, Education, or Environmental Education.
Why Consider a Geography/Social Studies Major?
If you are interested in any of the above career paths or you want to teach Geography and Social Studies to children in grades 5-12 in a public or private school setting, this major will provide the subject area requirements. Secondary Education students who wish to be endorsed in Social Studies may choose this major. However, the Geography/Social Studies degree does not require that a student pursue a teaching certificate. Geography/Social Studies majors interested in Secondary certification must apply separately to the certification programs, such as those in Woodring College of Education. Students usually apply to Woodring in their senior year or after they graduate.
To receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification, students must complete the teacher certification program, including the content methods course, SEC 426, which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education as 1) a part of the undergraduate BA degree, or 2) as a post-baccalaureate program, or 3) as part of the Master’s in Education degree. See the Secondary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teaching certification requirements. Completion of this combined major leads to an endorsement in social studies.
Student Resources
Department website: Environmental Studies
Contact information:
- College of the Environment Professional Advisor: College of the Environment Professional Advisors, 360-650-3520, cenv@wwu.edu, Environmental Studies Building 539.
- Geography Education Advisors: David Rossiter, Arntzen Hall 232, David.Rossiter@wwu.edu; Patrick Buckley, Arntzen Hall 222, Patrick.Buckley@wwu.edu
Department advising: See the Advising section of the College of the Environment website.
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: Middle or High School Teacher, Planner, Land-Use Analyst, Eco Tourism Consultant, GIS Technician, Community Organizer, Private School Teacher, NGO leader
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Category of Major : Open major
Open majors can be declared by new and continuing students in good standing without additional requirements. All students are eligible for Direct Admission to Major at the time of admission to the university, subject to space availability.
Students who began their studies at WWU before the 2026-2027 academic year may declare their major by completing the Student Academic Declaration & Change Form and meeting the major’s retention requirements (if applicable).
To declare as a major:
If you have questions about this process, please set up an appointment with a professional adviser on our Undergrad Academic Advising webpage, visit the College of the Environment Student Support Office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or call 360-650-3520.
Advising Tips
ENVS 201 is a requirement for many Environmental Studies courses; students are encouraged to complete this requirement as soon as possible to avoid delaying access to upper division ENVS courses.
Many other General University Requirements provide good foundations for studying the environment. The following courses are particularly encouraged:
- Communications (ACOM, BCOM & CCOM): ENG 101 and courses with COMM, JOUR and ENVS prefixes.
- Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR): ENVS 201 and MATH 112 or MATH 240.
- Natural Sciences (LSCI & SCI): ENVS 203, an LSCI course, and ESCI 225, a SCI course, are required for most Environmental Studies majors. For efficient GUR progress, choose these two courses and one additional LSCI course to complete your natural science GURs.
- Social Sciences (SSC): ENVS 204 is required for most Environmental Studies majors. Other courses to consider are ENVS 115, ECON 101, PLSC 250, UEPP 202, and UEPP 270.
- Additional math and sciences courses, such as MATH 114, CHEM 161 and BIOL 204 are also good GUR choices as these courses will allow enrollment in a broader range of upper division environmental science courses in the College of the Environment.
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. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
