Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Program Overview
Have you ever wondered how your actions impact the world around you? In an era where climate change and sustainability are not just buzzwords but eminent concerns, understanding our environment has never been more crucial. At King's College, we don't just teach you about environmental issues: we immerse you in the solutions.
If you're passionate about making a tangible difference in the world, a degree in environmental and sustainability studies may be right for you.
What Can You Do with an Environmental and Sustainability Studies Degree?
Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies seek individuals who can think critically about complex environmental issues, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and develop innovative, sustainable solutions. An environmental and sustainability studies degree from King's College hones these very skills. Our graduates are known for their ability to approach environmental challenges with a balanced perspective, considering scientific, ethical, and social dimensions.
Whether you're interested in policy development, environmental consulting, conservation, or education, your skills will be in high demand.
Career paths our graduates pursue
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Manager
- Environmental Educator
- Conservation Scientist
- Urban Planner
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Renewable Energy Specialist
- Nonprofit Administrator
- Climate Change Analyst
- Environmental Lawyer
Top Environmental Studies Major Employers
- Environmental Consulting Firms
- Non-Profit Conservation Organizations
- Government Agencies (Local, State, and Federal)
- Renewable Energy Companies
- Waste Management Companies
- National Parks and Wildlife Services
- Environmental Education Centers
- Law firms
Placement Highlights
Listed below are just a few examples of where our graduates have found success:
- Graduate degrees (M.A., M.S., and Ph.D.)
- Environmental consulting and engineering firms
- Governmental agencies (e.g., state parks, national laboratories)
- Non-governmental environmental organizations (e.g., Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, various conservancies)
Top Careers for Environmental Studies Majors
- Environmental Scientist
- Water Quality Specialist
- Wetlands Scientist
- Fisheries Scientist
- Wildlife Scientist
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer
- Environmental Compliance Specialist
- Environmental Educator
- Park Ranger
- Wastewater Treatment Operator
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Conservation Scientist
- Urban Planner
- Environmental Journalist
Where do our graduates work?
Our graduates find themselves well-prepared for roles in environmental consulting, advocacy, and education. Our program also equips students for careers in environmental resource management, playing a crucial role in the stewardship and conservation of natural resources.
Program Details
Environmental and sustainability studies explores the relationship between the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of real-world dilemmas. Our program goes beyond traditional environmental education and integrates the humanities and social sciences as part of a comprehensive understanding of modern challenges.
We've designed this program for students who feel a deep connection to the environment and are eager to be at the forefront of change. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., King's College offers access to a rich variety of study sites, including natural forested lands, lakes, streams, and rivers like the Susquehanna. Students can examine the energy sector up close through nearby coal, gas, and nuclear power plants, wind and solar farms, and abandoned coal mines. There is a place-based component to nearly all of our programming, and we teach students to view agriculture and waste management operations from perspectives that are often ignored.
Our Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies goes beyond the textbooks to help students experience the environment as a real place, understand the complexities and tradeoffs of environmental issues, and explore innovative ways to improve their world.
What Makes the King's Environmental Studies Program Different?
Albert Einstein reportedly defined the environment as "everything that isn't me." This definition speaks to the scope and interconnectedness of the environmental issues facing us today. Understanding and solving those issues requires a working knowledge of various disciplines.
As a result, students pursuing an environmental and sustainability major will learn how to examine environmental problems from scientific, social, economic, and ethical points of view. You will also become an environmental professional who can help address environmental challenges in ways that are both effective and innovative.
Here's what makes our environmental studies program unique:
- Dedicated Faculty: At King's, our faculty members are more than educators. They are mentors and leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom.
- Experiential Learning and Fieldwork: The best way to learn about the environment is to be in it. Our program emphasizes place-based and hands-on learning experiences, from fieldwork in diverse ecosystems to engaging in community-based sustainability initiatives.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Our interdisciplinary and systems approach to education ensures that our students are well-versed in environmental science and understand the social, economic, and ethical dimensions of sustainability.
- Small Class Sizes and Innovative Programming: With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention and guidance, fostering a learning environment where they can thrive and grow. Class formats include traditional lectures and labs but also courses based entirely in the field or immersion courses that transport students to places like the Adirondack Park, Chesapeake Bay, or Costa Rica for an extended stay.
