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.

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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).

Engage in Unique Student Research

Getting involved in student research is a great way to further explore your academic passions and interests. Research opportunities are available for all academic disciplines. The Student Research Program can assist you with organizing, funding, presenting, and even publishing your own research. 

The Environmental Studies Department offers small financial grants to support student research projects and attendance at professional conferences related to sustainability or the environment.  The Application for Funds to Support Student Research is accepted on a rolling basis and awards are subject to fund availability.

As an Environmental Studies student, you will complete a capstone research project. The issue may be of local, national or international concern, so long as it is an identifiable problem about which you can gather information. The problem that you choose to investigate must:

  • have both social and ecological dimensions,
  • be of import for understanding and addressing current concerns related to sustainability (broadly defined),
  • be related to your specialization.

You will use empirical data (often a mix of published studies, archival data and existent databases) to answer your research question. 

Previous Capstone Projects have considered equity and effectiveness of urban gardens, ways to improve access to farmers' markets, effective organizing practices for farm workers, policies to reduce run-off and the reintroduction of wolves.

The Environmental Studies Core

Note: Students who score a 4 or 5 on the College Board AP Environmental Science exam will receive credit for the required course, EVST 1600 Sustainability, People and the Environment. 

15 credits, including:

  • EVST 2100 Natural History: Theory and Practice
  • EVST 2150 Geoscience
  • EVST 3200 Principles of Ecology

10 credits, including:

  • EVST 3000 Environmental Politics OR EVST 4740 International Environmental Governance
  • EVST 3050 Economics and the Environment

10 credits, including:

  • HIST 3510 Environmental History
  • EVST 2950 Ethics, Equity and the Environment

10 credits, including:

  • EVST 3400 Research Design and Statistics
  • EVST 3500 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  •  

3 credits

  • EVST 4950 Internship

5 credits

  • EVST 4900 Senior Synthesis Capstone

You will complete a capstone research project. The issue may be of local, national or international concern, so long as it is an identifiable problem about which you can gather information. The problem that you choose to investigate must:

  • have both social and ecological dimensions,
  • be of import for understanding and addressing current concerns related to sustainability (broadly defined)
  • be related to your specialization

You will use empirical data (often a mix of published studies, archival data and existent databases) to answer your research question.

Previous Capstone Projects have considered equity and effectiveness of urban gardens, ways to improve access to farmers' markets, effective organizing practices for farm workers, policies to reduce run-off and the reintroduction of wolves.

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.

Urban Artifact Optimized

  • 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 

A climate activist holding a sign saying that we only have one earth

  • 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

A teacher showing different kinds of rocks to students

  • 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 

Student stands on top of hill with hands raised.

  • 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 

Internships For Good

A woman in front of a bus

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