Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
As an environmental and sustainability studies major at WMU, you'll join students who will tackle the environmental and sustainability challenges of our day. Whatever your career path—natural resources and conservation, business leadership and innovation, policymaking, law, planning, communication or the arts—you'll blend rigorous academics with your own creativity and commitment to make a positive impact.
The environmental and sustainability studies major is highly interdisciplinary; and it integrates understanding of the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the environment and how societal structures and human behavior can both lead to and be the source of solutions to environmental issues.
The program requires a double major–students must pair their developing understanding of the environment and environmental issues with knowledge from another discipline. Students in the major have dual majored in more than 35 other programs on campus, in almost every college. In doing so, they have forged new career paths and synergies, and enriched their coursework and future careers with a focus on sustainability.
Beyond the classroom
Students are encouraged to gain valuable experience outside the classroom by taking part in cutting-edge research projects with a faculty mentor or pursuing an internship. Research programs and internships provide real-life, hands-on experience in subjects you learn about during class, and they may help identify specific career paths.
Student organizations such as Students for a Sustainable Earth and working with WMU's Office for Sustainability also offer ample opportunities for you to get involved and gain real-world experience.
After you graduate
Recent WMU graduates with degrees in environmental studies are working as:
- Environmental analysts
- Conservationist scientists
- Wildlife biologists
- Environmental and resource managers
- Environmental lobbyists
- Environmental lawyers
- Environmental policy analysts
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Sustainability coordinators
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Architects and green developers
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Corporate social responsibility specialists
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Environmental consultants or advocates
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Journalists
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Environmental writers
Where is this program offered?
- Kalamazoo