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90%
of School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability graduates are working or continuing their education.
95%
of School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability students feel their professors care about them as people.
93%
of School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability students participate in experiential learning activities.
Pursue a B.S. in environmental and sustainability studies
The environmental and sustainability studies major is highly interdisciplinary, integrating knowledge of the sciences, social sciences and humanities. You will develop a deeper understanding of the environment and how societal structures and human behavior can both cause and resolve environmental issues.
You must pair your knowledge of the environment and environmental issues with another discipline as a double major, integrating sustainability into a field of your choice. Choose a second major in the sciences to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in environmental and sustainability studies.
What you'll learn
You will develop an understanding of environmental systems and how humans interact with them as individuals and as citizens within social and cultural systems. The ENVS curriculum prepares students to address the complex environmental challenges of the 21st century, while emphasizing multidisciplinary, integrative, and transformative approaches to environmental knowledge, ecological literacy, and perspectives on sustainability. You will engage in hands-on learning in public events like Lobby Day and in outdoor activities like weekend camping trips and stream sampling in Michigan waterways. Graduate prepared for your career in sustainability with skills in creative problem solving and communication, as well as personalized advice on coursework and experiential learning that matches what employers are looking for.
Student Quote
The [environmental and sustainability studies] program did an excellent job of weaving together disciplines that I had not previously considered to be connected, and that level of exposure helped me develop a much more holistic understanding of what it means to work in the environmental field.
Where you'll be after graduation
As an environmental and sustainability studies student, you will have both the depth of a second major and the breadth of the environmental and sustainability training. Graduates of our program can apply their environmental sensitivity to a huge range of career options and are working as:
- Environmental analysts
- Conservationist scientists
- Wildlife biologists
- Environmental and resource managers
- Environmental lobbyists
- Environmental lawyers
- Environmental policy analysts
- Sustainability coordinators
- Architects and green developers
- Corporate social responsibility specialists
- Environmental consultants or advocates
- Journalists
- Environmental writers
What others have achieved
What others have achieved
Meet environmental and sustainability studies graduates who are out changing the world for good.
Making the most of your learning experience
Gain valuable experience outside the classroom by taking part in cutting-edge research projects with a faculty mentor or pursuing an internship. Not only will these opportunities give you real-world applications for your coursework, but they'll help you learn which career paths you'll thrive in.
Student organizations such as Students for a Sustainable Earth and Eco Broncos will help you get involved with sustainability efforts on campus and in the community through clean-ups, policy changes and more. You can also connect with WMU's Office for Sustainability to participate in workshops, learn to repair your own household objects or support clean transportation at their bike shop.
What scholarships are available for an environmental and sustainability studies degree?
Enjoy access to plenty of scholarships that recognize academic excellence and support research and travel from both WMU and the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability. The Gwen Frostic Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award in Environmental Studies is designed specifically for environmental and sustainability studies majors.
