Environmental Studies, BA, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about Seattle University's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.
Important Major Information
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
- Credits in Major: 47 semester credits or 78 quarter credits
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
UCOR 1000 (3) |
UCOR Stage 1 (3) |
| Course 2 |
UCOR Stage 1 (3) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage 1 (3) |
EVST 2100 Natural History (3) |
| Course 4 |
College Language Requirement |
College Language Requirement |
| Course 5 |
EVST 1600 Sustainability, People and Environment (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
EVST 2150 Geoscience (3) |
EVST 2950 Ethics, Equity & Environment (3) |
| Course 2 |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
| Course 4 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
| Course 2 |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
EVST 3050 Economics and Environment (3) |
| Course 3 |
EVST 3400 Applied Data Analysis (3) |
EVST 3500 Intro to GIS (3) Will be offered fall and spring |
| Course 4 |
EVST Specialization Elective (3) |
EVST Specialization Elective (3) |
| Course 5 |
EVST 3000 Environmental Politics (3) or EVST 4740 Intl Enviro Gov (3) (EVST 3000 will be in fall; EVST 4740 will be in spring) |
EVST 3750 Sustainability Careers (2) or EVST 4950 Internship (2) |
| Course 6 |
|
General Elective (1) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
EVST 3200 Ecology (3) |
| Course 2 |
HIST 3510 Environmental History (3) (tentative) |
EVST 4900 Senior synthesis: Capstone (3) |
| Course 3 |
EVST Specialization Elective (3) |
EVST Specialization Elective (3) |
| Course 4 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
Prospective students can preview the semester-based University Core by reviewing the University Core Stages Visual Plan (PDF) or explore the current University Core curriculum at seattleu.edu/core.
Curriculum Notes
Curriculum Notes specific to this sample degree plan will be updated throughout 2026.
Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the Writing Center.
- Level up your skills at the Math Lab.
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for support on research and assignments.
- Search the expansive network of books, eBooks, databases, journals and more.
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunity.
- Create something at the Media Production Center or Billodue Makerspace.
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | EVST 2100 – Natural History: Theory & Practice (5) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 3 | Language I 1150 (5) | Language II 1250 (5) | Language III 1350 (5) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | EVST 2150 – Geoscience (5) | General Elective (5) | EVST 2950 – Ethics, Equity, & the Environment |
| Course 2 | †EVST 1600 – Sustainability, People, & the Environment (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
†ONLY offered in Fall quarter
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | EVST 3400 – Research Design & Statistics (5) |
EVST Specialization Elective (5) | †EVST 3000 – Environmental Politics (5) (offered typically in the Winter) OR EVST 4740 – International Environmental Governance (5) |
| Course 2 | EVST Specialization Elective (5) | EVST 3500 – Intro to Geographic Information Systems (5) | EVST 3050 Economics and the Environment (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | HIST 3510 – Environmental History (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 4 | EVST 4950 – Internship (3) OR *EVST 3750 – Environmental Careers (3) |
†In Winter 2026 ONLY EVST 3000 will be offered AND in Spring 2027 ONLY EVST 4740 will be offered
*ONLY offered in Winter quarter
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | EVST Specialization Elective (5) | EVST 4900 – Senior Synthesis: Capstone (5) |
EVST 3200 – Ecology |
| Course 2 | EVST Specialization Elective (5) | EVST Specialization Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | General Elective (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 4 | General Elective (5) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- 20 credits of environmentally related specialization electives as selected with your advisor.
- Courses included in a specialization cannot satisfy requirements elsewhere in the major.
- Several EVST courses are offered multiple times a year, students should refer to the tentative course offerings when creating their educational plan
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Find the perfect spot to study at the Lemieux Library.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the Writing Center.
- Level up your skills at the Math Lab.
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for support on research and assignments.
- Search the expansive network of books, eBooks, databases, journals and more.
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.