Environment and Sustainability, BA, Politics, Policy & Justice Specialization Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Sustainability with a Specialization in Politics, Policy, and Justice
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 Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll in Summer 2027 and beyond
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 1000: Signature Seminar (3) | UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage I (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage I (3) | EVST 2100: Natural History (3) |
| Course 4 | College Language Requirement (4) | College Language Requirement (4) |
| Course 5 | EVST 1600: Sustainability, People and Environment (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | EVST 2150: Geoscience (3) | EVST 2950: Ethics, Equity & Environment (3) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage II (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 II (3) | UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage III (3) | EVST 3050: Economics and Environment (3) |
| Course 3 | EVST 3400: Applied Data Analysis (3) | EVST 3500: Intro to GIS (3) |
| 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 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 Mentor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR Stage III (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 Mentor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Stage I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Stage. For more information, please visit the University Core website.
Stage 1: Foundations
- UCOR 1000/2000 Signature Seminar
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1500 Philosophies of Humanity
Stage 2: Inquiry
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2300 Inquiry Seminar in Creative Arts and Expression
- UCOR 2400 Inquiry Seminar in Literature, Art, or History
- UCOR 2600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 2800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
- UCOR 29XX Ethical Inquiry
Stage 3: Engagement
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3200 Global Perspectives
- UCOR 3300 Responsibility and Action
Curriculum Notes
- Students choose from one of four specializations, or work with your advisor to design your own specialization.
- Urban Sustainability (BA): How can we build livable cities that are ecologically sustainable and equitable? Gain knowledge and skills in urban planning and community design, food systems, Geography Information Systems (GIS), urban ethics, economics, and politics needed to support sustainability in our cities.
- Politics, Policy, and Justice (BA): What policies and political processes support sustainability and environmental justice? Gain the knowledge and skills needed to propose policy alternatives and advocate for changes needed to address complex environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.
- Environmental Education and Communication (BA): How do we communicate our pressing environmental problems and potential solutions? Gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach, raise public awareness, and motivate change by using a broad base of mediums and communication strategies for diverse audiences.
- Ecological Systems (BS): How can we sustainably manage and restore our environment and ecosystems? Gain knowledge and skills in the physical, ecological and environmental sciences needed to address our pressing environmental concerns such as biodiversity loss, water contamination, air pollution and the resilience of our ecosystems.
- Design your own Specialization (BA). Do you have a specific field of interest within the field of Environment and Sustainability not covered in one of the above options? Work with your faculty advisor to tailor your specialization to meet your academic needs.
- Students fulfill their specialization requirements through EVST Specialization Electives as shown in the sample academic plan.
- Note, those students wishing to complete a BS should select the Ecological Systems specialization.
- 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.
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. Reach out to the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center for support via email 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 & Environment |
| Course 2 | †EVST 1600 – Sustainability, People, & the Environment (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | EVST Specialization Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
†ONLY offered in Winter 2027
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 4840 – Environmental Justice (5) | EVST 3500 – Intro to Geographic Info Systems (5) | EVST 3050 – Economics & 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
*EVST 3750 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
- Courses included in a specialization cannot satisfy requirements elsewhere in the major.
- The choice of a specialization should be made before the completion of 90 credits mtoward the degree and must be certified by submitting an “Program Add/Drop/Change (e-form)” form to the Office of the Registrar.
- Choose two of the following courses (10 credits): PLSC 2000, 2600, or 3090; PUBA 2020 or 2150.
- Choose two of the following courses (10 credits): CEEGR 3750 (3 credits - remaining 2 credits may be satisfied with additional internship credit or other major-related course approved by advisor); ECON 3620; EVST 3000, 3010, 3650, 4640,4740, 4840; HONR 2580 (4 credits - remaining 2 credits may be satisfied with additional internship credit or other major-related course approved by advisor), PUBA 3720, 3740, and 4410.
- 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.
- 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.