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Environmental Studies Schools and Programs in The United States

152 schools in The United States teach Environmental Studies.

  • Stetson University

    University DeLand, The United States In an official register

    Stetson University is an independent institution of higher learning, established in 1883, operating four colleges and schools across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. The Center for International…

Environmental Studies Studies in The United States

Environmental studies examines the interdependent relationships between humans and the environment, as Wellesley College puts it. It is an interdisciplinary field: next to ecology and earth science, students take courses in policy, economics, law, ethics and communication. That is the main difference from environmental science, which stays closer to the natural sciences. SpainExchange lists 152 schools in the United States that teach environmental studies.

How the degree is organised

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, and each university sets the number of credits needed to graduate. Environmental studies is taken as a major, often within a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Some universities offer two versions. At Yale University, students may pursue a BA, intended for those who concentrate in the social sciences and humanities, or a BS, intended for those interested in the natural sciences; the BA requires 13 course credits and the BS 12, beyond the prerequisites, and both end with a senior essay.

Other examples show how programmes are built:

  • University of Washington: a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor, offered by the Program on the Environment, which dates from 1998
  • Northeastern University: a BA in Environmental Studies of 128 semester hours, with five concentrations and the option of cooperative education (co-op) placements
  • Columbia University: a major and a special concentration in sustainable development, which the university describes as focused heavily on the sciences
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison: an environmental studies major and certificate at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
  • University of Southern Maine: a Department of Environmental Science and Policy where all students are required to complete an internship
  • Hope College: an environmental studies minor that is added to another major

Practical work is a regular part of the major. Yale notes that students frequently undertake research and internships during the summer, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that an internship or volunteering with an environmental organisation while in school may help students gain practical experience.

Graduate study

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree and the doctorate. At Duke University, the Nicholas School of the Environment offers the Master of Environmental Management, a two-year professional degree, and a Master of Forestry, as well as a cooperative 3-2 programme in which students earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in a total of five years. At Stanford University, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability was launched in 2022.

There is no licence or single accrediting body for environmental studies degrees. What matters is the accreditation of the university as a whole and the content of the programme, in particular how much science, quantitative work and field experience it includes.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate, so check what each university charges non-residents. Starting at a community college, which is usually cheaper, and transferring after two years can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study environmental studies

Boston has four schools on the list, among them Northeastern University; New York has three, including Columbia University; and Philadelphia has three, including Temple University and Saint Joseph's University. San Diego has San Diego State University and National University, Seattle has the University of Washington and Seattle Central College, and Pittsburgh has the University of Pittsburgh and Point Park University. Other universities on the list are Yale University, Duke University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Florida International University in Miami and Chaminade University of Honolulu. Colleges such as Wellesley College, Lawrence University, Spelman College and Hope College, and two-year colleges such as Tacoma Community College and Broward College, are listed too.

Careers

Graduates work in government, consulting, conservation organisations and business. BLS figures for the closest occupations give an idea of the labour market. Environmental scientists and specialists held about 93,400 jobs in 2025, with projected growth of 6% from 2025 to 2035 and about 7,300 openings a year; state government (28%) and management, scientific and technical consulting (19%) are the largest employers. BLS notes that these jobs typically require a bachelor's degree in a natural science or a related field, so a programme with a solid science component keeps this route open. Conservation scientists held about 27,700 jobs, and environmental science and protection technicians, who typically need an associate degree, about 36,400.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between environmental studies and environmental science?

Environmental studies is broader and includes the social sciences and humanities; environmental science concentrates on the natural sciences. Yale's two tracks show the split: a BA for the social sciences and humanities and a BS for the natural sciences.

How long does the degree take?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A professional master's such as Duke's Master of Environmental Management takes two more years.

Is an internship part of the degree?

Often. Some programmes require one, such as the University of Southern Maine, and others offer co-op placements or funded summer research.

Can I start at a community college?

Yes. According to EducationUSA, a bachelor's degree can be earned with two years of community college followed by two years of university study; check in advance which credits the university accepts.