Business and Sustainability, BA

Combined major offered by the Department of Management, College of Business and Economics, and the Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment

104-106 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Business and Sustainability?

The State of Washington is a leader in responding to the societal imperative regarding environmental issues. This Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Sustainability is an action component of the state’s initiatives. This degree combines three areas of study that give graduates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate in a changing economic and social environment.

Graduates from this program will possess:

• A fundamental knowledge of economics, giving them the skills to apply economic analysis to problems in sustainable business faced by modern organizations;
• A fundamental knowledge of environmental science and policy, giving them the ability to understand the social and political climate as well as the scientific issues involved in sustainable business;
• An extensive knowledge of business and management in the context of business sustainability giving them the basic skills needed to succeed in organizations.

Why Consider a Business and Sustainability Major? 

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students planning to major in Business and Sustainability should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western in either the College of Business and Economics, or Huxley College of the Environment.

College of Business and Economics:
Admission to programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) is selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. For admission to CBE as a Business and Sustainability Major with pre-major, provisional major, or full major status, students must have completed the following requirements:

• Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
• Achieved a 2.50 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)

Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare this combined major in management.

Complete the online application form at http://cbe.wwu.edu/cbe/students/application.shtml.

Environmental Studies Department:
Students may apply for admission to the Environmental Studies program at any time by going to the central Huxley College office in the Environmental Studies Building 539, and filling out a declaration card. There are several advantages to doing so during the freshman or sophomore year. Environmental Studies students are ensured access to many ENVS preparatory and core classes, are assigned a faculty advisor who can assist in choosing courses and a major concentration, and are included in all Environmental Studies and Huxley communications.

Those pursuing joint programs offered by Environmental Studies with other Western academic units may also seek admission as ENVS students, although the preparatory and major requirements differ from those of the other ENVS majors as outlined in this catalog. 

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.