Turn Your Passion for the Planet into Purpose
Learn to see the bigger picture—and become part of the solution
Whether you're passionate about conservation, environmental justice, public lands, climate resilience, or sustainable communities, the B.S. in Environmental Studies will help you understand complex environmental challenges and develop the skills to address them.
By combining systems thinking, integrative ecology, natural resources management, and environmental leadership, you'll learn to see connections between people, places, and ecosystems while gaining the knowledge and experience needed to create positive change. And you’ll learn how to build bridges between environmental scientists, policy makers, agencies, and the public, while advocating for the health and wellbeing of humans and the rest of life.
What You'll Learn
Environmental challenges don't fit neatly into a single discipline—and neither does this degree. You'll explore the relationships between ecological systems, human communities, public policy, and environmental justice while developing skills in systems thinking, integrative ecology, natural resources management, environmental policy, environmental leadership, and community-based sustainability.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Through field experiences, community partnerships, research projects, and case studies from Southern Appalachia and around the world, you'll connect classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges and opportunities.
Career Pathways
Graduates pursue careers in natural resources management, wildlife conservation, environmental education, environmental planning and policy, nonprofit leadership, sustainability consulting, and government service. Many continue their education through graduate and professional programs.
Become Part of the Solution
The environmental challenges facing our world require thoughtful leaders, creative problem-solvers, and people who can work across disciplines and communities.
If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, join our community of students who are committed to protecting ecosystems, advancing environmental justice, and building a more sustainable future.