Environmental Sustainability and Resilience, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drake University

Program Overview

Drake University’s Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sustainability and Resilience prepares students to address environmental challenges by understanding the connections between ecological systems, communities, economic decisions, and public policy. Ideal for students passionate about sustainability and creating positive change, the program combines interdisciplinary learning with hands-on research, fieldwork, and internships to develop the skills needed to help organizations and communities become more sustainable and resilient.

Curriculum structure

The program emphasizes a flexible, goal-oriented curriculum rather than a rigid sequence of courses for every student. Students work with faculty advisers to shape their studies around their professional interests, progressing from foundational knowledge to applied research and practical problem-solving.

Year 1 – Building the foundations

Students begin developing an understanding of environmental systems, sustainability principles, and the relationship between human activities and the natural world. Introductory learning establishes the scientific, economic, and analytical foundations needed to explore environmental challenges and understand how individual and collective decisions affect society and the environment.

Year 2 – Exploring sustainability challenges

Students deepen their understanding of environmental and social issues, developing skills in systems thinking, quantitative analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Through case-based learning and interdisciplinary study, they begin examining how communities and organizations can respond to environmental challenges while balancing ecological, economic, and social priorities.

Year 3 – Applying knowledge through research and experience

Students can strengthen their practical expertise through fieldwork, environmental internships, research opportunities, and the use of geographic information systems (GIS). They learn to gather and interpret data, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate findings to different audiences while working toward their individual academic and professional goals.

Year 4 – Integrating learning and preparing for a career

Students bring their interdisciplinary knowledge together through advanced applied work and a capstone project involving external stakeholders to address a real-world challenge. Research presentations, professional experiences, and faculty guidance help students demonstrate their analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities as they prepare for employment or further study.

Note: These year-by-year descriptions illustrate a typical progression, not a confirmed four-year course sequence. Consult Drake's current academic catalogue and an adviser for the exact course requirements and order.

Focus areas

Environmental sustainability, community resilience, environmental consulting, resource conservation, environmental education, environmental communication, stakeholder engagement, environmental policy, geographic information systems (GIS), field research, and sustainable organizational practices.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop systems-thinking skills, the ability to evaluate environmental and socioeconomic impacts, competence in gathering and analyzing field data, proficiency in applying quantitative methods and GIS, stakeholder communication skills, interdisciplinary problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to develop practical responses to sustainability challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The program develops transferable professional skills relevant to environmental sustainability, consulting, conservation, community planning, and related fields. No program-specific professional accreditation is identified on the official program page reviewed; students should confirm any accreditation requirements relevant to their intended career with the university.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Drake University highlights practical learning, internships, and career preparation as important parts of its undergraduate experience. Its official graduate-outcomes information also reports university-wide employment and further-study outcomes. These institutional indicators provide useful context, but they should not be interpreted as program-specific employment rates or as a dedicated ranking for this BA.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Drake University, practical experience is central to the Environmental Sustainability and Resilience BA. Students move beyond classroom theory to investigate environmental challenges, collect and analyze data, work with community partners, and develop solutions to real sustainability problems. The program connects students with fieldwork, applied research, internships, and faculty mentorship, helping them build a professional portfolio before graduation.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Fieldwork and environmental data collection: Investigate plants, animals, ecosystems, and local environmental conditions through field-based learning activities.
Campus sustainability projects: During their junior year, students collect data to develop a climate footprint for Drake University and create a sustainability blueprint for part of campus.
Real-world capstone projects: Collaborate with external clients to address practical challenges. Previous student projects have included a net-zero plan for the Des Moines Arts Festival and a stormwater management strategy for a local community.
Internships: Explore paid internship opportunities with government agencies, environmental consulting firms, businesses, and advocacy organizations in and around Des Moines.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Develop technical skills in GIS implementation, alongside statistical analysis and environmental field methods.
Undergraduate research: Work independently or alongside faculty mentors and present research at the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in Science (DUCURS).
Research concentration: Consider the STEM Undergraduate Research Scholar Concentration, which combines faculty-guided research, skills development, and a capstone presentation.
Environmental student organizations: Participate in the Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL), the Outdoor Leadership Club, and Epsilon Eta to explore environmental issues, contribute to service projects, and develop professional connections.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Drake University's Environmental Sustainability and Resilience BA can pursue careers that combine environmental knowledge, analytical thinking, communication, and practical problem-solving. The program is particularly relevant to students who want to help businesses, public agencies, and communities improve resource management, environmental performance, and sustainability practices.

Potential career paths include:

Environmental Sustainability Consultant: Help organizations assess environmental impacts and develop sustainability strategies.
Environmental Program Coordinator: Support environmental initiatives, community projects, and sustainability programmes.
Resource Conservation Specialist: Contribute to the responsible management and protection of natural resources.
Urban and Regional Planning Assistant: Support planning initiatives that consider environmental quality, community needs, and sustainable development.

Career development, employment, and industry connections

- Career Services: Drake's Career Services supports students with career exploration, professional networking, résumé and cover-letter preparation, interview skills, job searches, and graduate-school applications.

- Internship opportunities: The university helps students access internship listings through online resources and faculty and professional networks. The program also highlights opportunities with government agencies, advocacy organizations, businesses, and environmental consulting firms.

- Industry and community engagement: Departmental organizational partnerships support fieldwork, while capstone projects connect students with external stakeholders. Examples of past projects include campus sustainability planning and community stormwater management. These experiences provide opportunities to apply academic knowledge to practical challenges.

- Employment statistics: Drake publishes university-wide graduate outcomes and practical-experience data. These figures can help prospective students understand the university's broader career-preparation environment, but they should not be treated as employment rates specifically for Environmental Sustainability and Resilience graduates.

- Salary prospects: The university's program page references the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the salary and growth outlook of urban and regional planners. Actual earnings vary by occupation, location, experience, and qualifications; no verified program-specific graduate salary figure is provided on the page.

- Long-term professional value: The BA builds transferable skills in systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and communication. These capabilities can support progression across environmental consulting, conservation, sustainability management, and related fields. No program-specific professional accreditation is identified on the official page, so students should verify any licensing or accreditation requirements for their intended career.

- Graduation outcomes: Drake's university-wide career resources cover employment, further study, internships, and professional development. Students can use these services alongside faculty advising to plan their transition from undergraduate study to work or postgraduate education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, graduates can consider relevant postgraduate programmes in environmental management, sustainability, environmental policy, conservation, urban and regional planning, or related interdisciplinary fields. Depending on the programme's admission requirements, they may also pursue graduate research or specialised qualifications in areas such as climate policy, sustainable development, or environmental management. Students interested in research-intensive postgraduate study should review the prerequisite requirements of their intended programme and discuss suitable preparation with Drake faculty advisers.