Environmental Studies Major

Environmental Studies is the interdisciplinary study of environmental issues from science, policy, and ethics. It is a major within Agriculture & Environment.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major that examines the relationship between humans and the natural world. Rather than focusing on a single discipline, the major draws on biology, chemistry, economics, political science, history, and philosophy to understand environmental challenges. Students explore questions such as how pollution affects ecosystems and human health, what policies might address climate change, how to balance resource use with conservation, and what ethical obligations we have to the environment. The major develops both analytical skills—such as understanding scientific data and economic trade-offs—and communication skills needed to explain environmental issues to different audiences.

Students drawn to this major typically have curiosity about environmental problems and a desire to understand their causes and potential solutions. The curriculum typically begins with foundational courses in environmental science and principles, establishing how natural systems work and how human activities affect them. As students progress, coursework becomes more specialized and applied, allowing them to focus on particular areas such as water quality, land management, environmental law, or sustainable development. The major emphasizes learning how to research problems, evaluate competing viewpoints, and think critically about complex issues that rarely have simple answers.

Typical coursework

Course requirements vary by school, but a Environmental Studies program commonly includes topics such as:

• Environmental science
• Environmental policy
• Sustainability
• Environmental ethics
• Ecology
• Climate and society

Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.

Degree levels

Environmental Studies is commonly offered at these levels:

• Bachelor's
• Master's

Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).

Common career directions

Graduates with a Environmental Studies background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:

• Sustainability coordinator
• Environmental analyst
• Policy associate
• Conservation educator

Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.

General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.

Other majors in agriculture & environment

See all Agriculture & Environment majors →