More about our degrees
Explore the core environmental studies courses, details about the four specializations and how you can expand upon your classes with research projects and internships.
Our cohesive program provides students the opportunity to conduct research with faculty renowned in their fields, work with practitioners and communities to address local and global environmental concerns, participate in experiential learning here in the United States and abroad and be part of our dynamic SU community through small classes, on-campus organizations and activities, and co-curricular events.
All students complete the Environmental Studies Core (58 credits) and an Environmental Specialization (20 credits).
Our Specializations
The specializations build upon the Environmental Studies core and prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop your specific field of interest.
Each specialization is 20 course credits.
You are required to declare your specialization before completing 90 credits toward your degree (generally by the end of sophomore year).
Environmental Studies Majors who specialize in Urban Sustainability or Politics, Policy and Justice are uniquely situated to complete a double major in Environmental Studies and Public Affairs. Students can complete this double major in a normal four-year course of study. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic course plan and the requirements for completion of the program evaluation.
- The Urban Sustainability Specialization addresses the crucial contemporary need to “green” our cities and to develop satisfying and sustainable urban lifestyles.
- Coursework includes a basic grounding in urban planning and course options in the physical and sociological dimensions of sustainable communities.
- The environmentally progressive city of Seattle and its surrounding communities provide living laboratories for the study of urban sustainability, offering opportunities for field exercises, experiential learning and internships.
Additional Career Opportunities
- Food Resource Development Coordinator, Pike Market Food Bank
- Volunteer Coordinator, Friends of North Creek Forest
- Parks Ambassador, Downtown Seattle Association
- Consultant, PM Environmental
- Film Manager, Environment Washington
- Customer Outreach, Sound Transit
- Project Coordinator, Enviroissues
- Administrative and Outreach Manager, Ethnic Business Coalition
- Educator, Sitka Conservation Society
- Founder, Little Spoon Farm (sustainable agriculture)
- Planning Specialist, City of Tukwila
- Market Staff, Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets
- Students explore and critically analyze the nature and development of social and policy structures, with particular attention to issues of equity and justice.
- Through coursework and experiential learning, students develop skills to envision and implement equitable and sustainable alternatives to emerging environmental issues.
- Course topics range from local, national and international political and legal processes to the practice of policy analysis and the ethical implications of environmental justice.
- Internship opportunities abound in local, state and federal government agencies and in political, religious and environmental nonprofit organizations.
Additional Career Opportunities
- Community Outreach Specialist, Sound Transit
- Project Management Intern, Seattle Public Utilities-City of Seattle
- Sustainability Planner, Sound Transit
- Climate Action Fellow, City of Bothell
- Advocacy Manager, Washington Trails Association
- Renewable Energy Development & Project Manager, NextEra Energy
- The Environmental Education and Communication Specialization equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to raise the environmental consciousness and commitment of others through direct interpersonal teaching, media-based advocacy and public awareness campaigns.
- The coursework integrates theory and practice and spans the spectrum from traditional educational approaches to broad-based communication strategies. The Puget Sound region offers internship opportunities in environmental education centers, parks and nonprofit organizations.
Additional Career Opportunities
- Photojournalist, The Seattle Times
- Outreach Coordinator, Br. David Darst Center (social justice)
- Conservation Photographer
- Project Coordinator, EnviroIssues
- Photo Documentation, Seattle Housing Authority
- Digital Media Specialist, Feathered Friends
- Building on the natural science courses in the EVST core, coursework in the Ecological Systems Specialization includes a choice of courses in physical and ecological science and field exploration in diverse Pacific Northwest habitats.
- Numerous internships are available to students in the areas of government, business, nonprofit and agricultural operations.
- Many of the relevant course options in Ecological Science are in the Biology Department, so we strongly encourage students pursing this specialization to consider completing a minor in Biology.
Additional Career Opportunities
- Americorps Islandwood Brightwater Educator, Islandwood
- Market Assistant Manager, Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance
- Wetland Biologist Intern, Washington State Department of Transportation
- Volunteer and Communications Coordinator, F.I.S.H.
- Community Relations, LA Metro
Internships For Good
Sophia Hampton
My public engagement internship with the Seattle Department of Transportation allowed me to gain a deeper insight into how city government operates. I had the opportunity to contribute to an economic impact report, organize and coordinate community outreach events, and help carry out a strategic communication plan. Connecting with the public and learning from my colleagues were highlights of my experience.
Environmental Studies and Public Affairs '25
Internships
An internship is your opportunity to explore your interests and apply what you have learned in the classroom to a workplace setting. Our Internship Coordinator will help you develop your plan to meet your academic and career goals.
Our students have completed internships with a wide variety of organizations, including:
- Beacon Food Forest
- Center for Environmental Law and Policy
- Climate Solutions
- Conservation Northwest
- Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition
- Earth Corps
- Earth Ministry
- EnviroIssues
- Environmental Coalition of South Seattle
- Facing the Future
- FareStart
- Forterra
- Green Plate Special
- IslandWood
- Marine Conservation Institute
- NW Energy Coalition
- Pacific Science Center
- Penn State Project Drawdown
- Puget Sound Sage
- Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
- Seattle Tilth
- Solar Washington
- Spark Northwest
- Surfrider Foundation Seattle Chapter
- The Lands Council
- Washington Environmental Council
- Washington Water Trails Association
- Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility
- Wilderness Awareness School
- Seattle University Grounds and Landscaping
- Center for Environmental Justice
- Northwest Energy Efficiency Council