Undergraduate Majors

With more than 40 majors to choose from, our curriculum offers you unparalleled opportunity to pick your path and find the right fit for you, whether you’re interested in Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Social Sciences, or Humanities like History and English are more your style. 

Many of our majors also offer opportunities for internships and co-ops both locally and nationally, study abroad and service learning, where you make real-world impact on your community.

If you’re not sure which major is right for you, you’re not alone. Many incoming students aren’t sure with path is the right one—which may be why many of our first-year students choose our Exploratory Studies Program. Through Exploratory Studies, you’ll learn more about what each major has to offer, and whether it’s right for you. 

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Why study Environmental Studies?

The Environmental Studies BA program produces professionals who are knowledgeable in the traditional areas of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and have the skills to understand the origins of environmental problems and develop viable environmental solutions.

Students are trained to think analytically, reason critically, communicate effectively, and lead responsibly. This program equips students to make positive contributions to their local community, the country, and the world by connecting knowledge and action to solve environmental problems. Environmental Studies students can “speak the language” of the multiple disciplines involved in environmental problem solving and address the problems of climate change, environmental justice, resource depletion, population growth, public health, and hunger using creative and sustainable approaches. 

Success in environmental studies requires both a curiosity about and a passion for the natural world. Understanding the complexity of environmental problems and developing effective solutions requires creativity, flexibility, imagination, and a talent for both written and oral communication. Successful students have strong analytical and critical thinking skills and an interest in an interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem solving. 

Career Possibilities

The Environmental Studies BA curriculum includes more of the social sciences and humanities aspects of environmental studies than does the BS degree option. The goal of the BA is to equip students with transferrable and employable skills and knowledge for successful careers in environmental journalism, policy, law, advocacy, and planning in government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and academia. 

Major Maps

The Environmental Studies BA program provides students with a structured interdisciplinary curriculum to broaden their perspectives on environmental issues. The curriculum links environmental science with anthropology, history, literature, journalism, philosophy, communication, economics, philosophy, and other fields in the social sciences and humanities. Students study a broad range of environmental thinking and explore different facets of environmental problems and solutions through the lenses of environmental justice, advocacy, policy, governance, management, and planning. 

The program offers team-based projects, writing-intensive courses, service and experiential earning, and collaborations with community organizations. The program also offers study abroad opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Quick Facts

BA in Environmental Studies

Full-Time Program Duration

4.0 Years

Location

West Campus

Interest Areas:

Humanities

Politics, Law & Social Justice

Social Science

Contact

School of Environment and Sustainability
ML 0380
 Cincinnati, OH 45221
Phone: (513) 556-5860
Laura Zanotti
laura.zanotti@uc.edu