Environmental Studies B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Elon University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies at Elon University prepares students to address environmental challenges by combining scientific knowledge with economics, public policy, ethics, and social science. Designed for students interested in environmental planning, policy development, and sustainable resource management, the program helps students understand how human decisions affect the natural world and develop practical approaches to environmental problem-solving.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum combines the Elon Core Curriculum with specialized environmental studies courses, scientific laboratory work, and opportunities for applied research. The following outlines the program's progression by stage; students should consult the official degree requirements for the exact course sequence, since the university does not prescribe every course as a fixed year-by-year schedule.

First Year: Building Environmental and Scientific Foundations

Students begin with ENS 1110: Introduction to Environmental Science and ENS 1130: Introduction to Environmental Science Lab, developing an understanding of environmental systems and scientific investigation. CHM 1110: General Chemistry I with Lab introduces chemical principles and laboratory methods, while ECO 1000: Principles of Economics provides a foundation for understanding economic decisions and resource use.

Second Year: Developing Analytical and Interdisciplinary Skills

Students progress into ENS 2000: Sophomore Seminar: Environmental Inquiry, which builds their ability to investigate environmental questions and evaluate evidence. ENS 2150/BIO 2150: Diversity of Life expands their understanding of biological diversity, while courses in environmental policy and related social sciences help them explore how laws, institutions, and economic choices influence environmental outcomes.

Third Year: Applying Knowledge to Environmental Challenges

Students can deepen their understanding of environmental governance through PUB 3240: Environmental Policy and explore complementary areas such as environmental economics, water resources management, and conservation. Depending on their chosen electives and academic plan, students can also pursue ENS 3985: Internship in Environmental Studies or ENS 4999: Research, connecting classroom knowledge with professional experience or faculty-mentored investigation.

Fourth Year: Integrating Learning Through Research and Projects

In ENS 4970: Senior Seminar: Environmental Assessment and Project Development, students bring together their scientific, analytical, and policy knowledge to examine environmental issues and develop solutions. This culminating experience emphasizes environmental assessment, project development, critical analysis, and the application of interdisciplinary learning to real-world challenges.

Focus Areas

Environmental planning, environmental policy development, sustainable resource management, environmental science, environmental economics, conservation, and interdisciplinary environmental problem-solving. Students can also explore complementary interests through electives and related minors, including Geographic Information Systems and Sustainable Enterprise.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to interpret environmental systems, investigate environmental problems using scientific evidence, evaluate the social and economic implications of environmental decisions, understand environmental policies, and communicate evidence-based recommendations. The program also encourages critical thinking, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of practical solutions to environmental challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree offers interdisciplinary preparation for environmental planning, policy, sustainability, and resource management careers. The official program information reviewed does not identify a specific professional accreditation for the Environmental Studies B.S.; therefore, no program-specific accreditation should be claimed without further confirmation from the university.

Reputation and Employability

Elon University highlights experiential learning, internships, and mentored undergraduate research as important elements of students' professional preparation. Its university-wide graduate outcomes provide additional context: the university reports that 96% of the Class of 2025 were employed, pursuing graduate study, or participating in service within nine months of graduation. This is an overall university figure, not a statistic specific to Environmental Studies graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Elon University, Environmental Studies students can connect academic learning with practical environmental projects, community engagement, internships, and research. The university's Center for Environmental Studies and Loy Farm provide opportunities to explore sustainable agriculture, environmental education, sustainable building, and renewable-energy-related research. Students also develop collaboration and project-management skills through research and the program's team-based senior seminar.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Loy Farm: Participate in hands-on learning related to horticulture, agriculture, sustainable living, and environmental research.
Center for Environmental Studies: Explore environmental education and sustainability initiatives connected with the university's environmental studies programs.
Sustainable building projects: Engage with the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community and its sustainable-home projects, which have involved student design, construction, budgeting, materials sourcing, and project management.
Renewable energy and sustainability research: Explore projects such as research into pollinator gardens and ecological improvements around the Loy Farm solar field.
Environmental research and field investigation: Apply scientific inquiry and environmental assessment skills through research opportunities and relevant science courses, including BIO 3642: Field Biology and ENS 3200: Restoration Ecology.
Internships: Pursue ENS 3985: Internship in Environmental Studies. Elon lists previous Environmental Studies internship hosts including the Ocean Mammal Institute in Hawaii, The Utopian Seed Project, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Ransom Consulting, and The Ocean Foundation.
Team-based capstone projects: Complete ENS 4970: Senior Seminar: Environmental Assessment and Project Development, where students collaborate on community-based environmental projects.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Study spatial approaches to environmental planning and resource management through GEO 2500/ENS 2500: Introduction to GIS: Vector.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Environmental Studies B.S. at Elon University can prepare graduates for careers addressing environmental challenges across government, consulting, conservation, nonprofits, and sustainable resource management. By combining scientific foundations with policy, economics, research, and practical project experience, students can build a pathway toward professional employment or further academic study.

Typical career opportunities include:

Environmental consultant
Environmental policy or planning analyst
Natural resources management specialist
Conservation officer or environmental programme coordinator

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career guidance and job-search support: Elon’s Student Professional Development Center offers career advising, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, career fairs, networking assistance, and access to the Elon Job Network, which lists employment and internship opportunities.
Employment statistics: Elon reports that 96% of its Class of 2025 graduates were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or participating in service within nine months of graduation. The university also reports that 94% accepted a position related to their career goals. These are university-wide figures, not Environmental Studies-specific outcomes.
Salary information: Elon reports a median salary of $74,000 for its graduates. This is an overall university figure, not a guaranteed or program-specific starting salary for Environmental Studies graduates.
Internship and employer connections: Students can pursue relevant experience with organizations previously hosting Elon Environmental Studies interns, including Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Ransom Consulting, the Ocean Mammal Institute, and The Ocean Foundation. These are examples of past internship hosts, not guarantees of placement or formal university–industry partnerships.
Professional preparation: The combination of environmental policy, economics, GIS, science, and project development can support applications for roles in sustainability, resource management, environmental consulting, and public-sector environmental work. Some positions may require additional technical qualifications or professional experience.
Accreditation value: The reviewed official program information does not identify a dedicated professional accreditation for this degree. Students planning to enter a regulated profession should check the specific qualification requirements for their intended career.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates can consider postgraduate study in environmental management, environmental policy, sustainability, conservation, natural resource management, environmental science, or related interdisciplinary fields. Depending on their interests, they could pursue a master's degree to develop specialist knowledge in environmental governance, sustainability strategy, or research, or progress toward doctoral study if they wish to pursue advanced research or an academic career.