Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Environmental Education, BA
What Is the Environmental Education Major?
The major consists of four distinct parts. First, students acquire an understanding of the content of Environmental Studies. Second, students examine the process of education for an environmental perspective. Third, students investigate ways of applying environmental education content and techniques in the professional roles they may pursue. Fourth, students participate in internships, a field practicum, or research.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Are you excited about teaching people about the environment? Do you want to teach people to make environmental choices in their lives? Do you love to work outdoors with children or adults? Then Environmental Education is for you.
Graduates of this major have assumed positions as teachers in private schools, as interpreters with resource management agencies, as staff in programs for special populations such as at-risk youth and persons with disabilities, among others, and with wilderness education non-profits.
How to Declare:
Phase I: Students can declare themselves as an Environmental Studies (ENVS) major at any time. At the time of declaration a Huxley Faculty Advisor is assigned, based on the student’s interests. Students do not need to specify their specific major until their application to Phase II. In Phase I students must complete the ENVS Preparatory Courses (and optionally can enroll in ENVS Core Courses as well).
ENVS Preparatory Courses: (8 courses)
BIOL 101 or 204 CHEM 121 ECON 206
MATH 114 or 156 PLSC 250
ENVS 201 – Understanding Environmental Data & Information (old: ESTU 297B)
ENVS 202 – Introduction to Environmental Studies & Sustainability (old: ESTU 202)
ENVS 203 – Physical Geography (old: EGEO 203)
Phase II: Upon completion of the ENVS Preparatory Courses with a C- or higher, students can apply for Phase II (applications are accepted 3 times per year). The application requires a 1-2 page essay (with specific ENVS major rationale) and the submission of a Plan of Study signed by the faculty advisor(s).
Application Deadlines for Phase II: Applications should be received by the Huxley College office by April 25 for admission to summer or fall quarters; October 6 for admission winter quarter; and January 15 for admission spring quarter.
Advising Tips: Prospective environmental studies majors are encouraged to call 360-650-3520 to make an appointment with the Huxley College admissions advisor, Kathryn Patrick, in order to explore their environmental studies interest and develop a plan of study.
Coursework
PHASE I (33 credits):
- One course from:
- BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology
- BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- MATH 114 - Precalculus I or equivalent or higher
- PLSC 250 - The American Political System
- ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Data and Information
- ENVS 202 - Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability
- ENVS 203 - Physical Geography
PHASE II: ENVS CORE (17-20 credits):
- One course from:
- ENVS 303 - Human Ecology and Sustainability
- ENVS 304 - Environment and Resource Policy
- ENVS 305 - Environmental History and Ethics
- One course from:
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning
- One course from:
- ESCI 302 - Environmental Pollution
- ESCI 310 - Environmental Systems
- ESCI 325 - Fundamentals of Ecology
- ESCI 392 - Introduction to Global Change
- One course from:
- ESCI 309 - Exploring Environmental Data
- ESCI 321 - Oceanography
- ESCI 333 - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
- ESCI 361 - Water Quality
- ESCI 463 - Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Environmental Education Major (76-80 credits):
- ENVS 381 - Introduction to Education for Environment and Sustainability
- ENVS 382 - Curriculum for Environment and Sustainability
- ESCI 330 - Natural History of the Pacific Northwest
- One course from:
- ENVS 412 - Environmental Journalism
- ENVS 482 - Community-Based Education for Sustainability
- ENVS 483 - Environmental Interpretation
- ENVS 484 - The American Literature of Nature and Place
- ENVS 485 - Natural History for Environmental Education *
- ENVS 486 - Field Methods in Environmental Education *
- ENVS 488 - Outdoor Education *
- ENVS 489 - Leadership for a Sustainable Future *
- * Part of Spring Block
- ENVS Capstone - One course from:
- ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- ENVS 430 - Borderlands
- ENVS 460 - Greening Business Policy and Practice
- ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities
- ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- ENVS 496 - Environmental Stewardship
- ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- ESCI 470 - Ecological Restoration
- ESCI 490 - Environmental Risk Assessment
- ESCI 491 - Oceanography of Puget Sound
- One course from (minimum 10 credits):
- ENVS 498A - Senior Thesis
- ENVS 498B - Internship
- ENVS 498C - Senior Project
- ENVS 498D - Foreign Study
- 21-24 credits - specialized electives 300- or 400- level
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning
- ESCI 302 - Environmental Pollution
- ESCI 309 - Exploring Environmental Data
- ESCI 310 - Environmental Systems
- ESCI 321 - Oceanography
- ESCI 325 - Fundamentals of Ecology
- ESCI 333 - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
- ESCI 361 - Water Quality
- ESCI 392 - Introduction to Global Change
- ESCI 463 - Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 114
- SSC: ECON 206; ENVS 202; PLSC 250
- LSCI: BIOL 101, 204; CHEM 121; ENVS 203
Sample Careers
- Private School Teacher
- Outdoor Leadership Director
- Environmental Interpreter
- Adventure Educator
- Camp Director
- Nature Writer
- Naturalist
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Michael Medler
AH 210, 360-650-3173
Michael.Medler@wwu.edu
Undergraduate Advisor:
Kathryn Patrick
ES 539, 360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Faculty Advisors:
Gene Myers
AH 224
Gene.Meyers@wwu.edu
John Miles
AH 202
John.Miles@wwu.edu