Academics
Majors, Minors, and Programs
Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies major explores the relationship between humans and the environment, focusing on sustainability, conservation, policy, and science to address today’s environmental challenges.

Overview

The Environmental Studies Program helps you understand how humans impact and are impacted by nature. It emphasizes sustainable and equitable approaches to living on Earth, with a focus on sustainability, conservation, policy, and environmental justice. The program gives you the knowledge and critical thinking skills to tackle environmental challenges while preparing you for careers in fields like environmental consulting, conservation, urban planning, and public policy. You will be ready to help solve global environmental issues and play an active role in shaping a sustainable future.

Your Major Took You Where?

Environmental Studies majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

National Forest Service
Environmental Protection Agency
US Green Building Council
Louisville Grows
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Government Accountability Office

Postgraduate Study

Fulbright Scholar in Nepal and Spain
Peace Corps in Mexico and Fiji
Duke University
Harvard University
The Medical University of South Carolina
University of Cincinnati

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Curriculum

Centre’s Environmental Studies Program offers a strong foundation in the key principles of the field, promoting a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues using analytical tools from scientific, quantitative, and values-based perspectives. You will have the flexibility to tailor your studies, drawing from diverse fields like anthropology, biology, chemistry, ecology, economics, English, history, philosophy, public policy, and religion. This approach helps you gain a well-rounded perspective on the complex challenges facing the environment today.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

Students have conducted summer research on sustainable food systems and aquaculture in Thailand, green monkey behavior in Barbados, and coral reefs in Belize. Others have worked with native bees in Mérida, Mexico, or studied tropical forest conservation in Ecuador. Student research projects on campus have included bioremediation of soil pollution, climate and hydrology simulation modeling, bird banding statistical analysis, and changing environmental attitudes toward conservation and activism.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Recent local student internships include land management at Shaker Village, media outreach at BlueGrass GreenSource (Lexington, KY), Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Louisville Office of Sustainability, and Energy Policy in Kentucky State Government. Outside Kentucky, students have participated in NSF REU experiences in Washington, Mississippi, and Georgia. Internationally, students have interned with the Borneo Nature Foundation in Indonesia and La Ruta del Clima in Costa Rica.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Environmental Studies graduates have gone on to work in state (Kentucky, Florida, Minnesota) and federal government (NOAA, EPA, GAO, USFS, NPS), at local and national nonprofits (US Green Building Center, Louisville Grows, Global Energy Monitor, Open Environmental Data Project, Bluegrass Greensource), and in corporate positions in environmental consulting (WSP, VS Engineering) and energy development (Silicon Ranch, Solar Energy Solutions, Schneider Electric, RM Clark Associates).