Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Gettysburg College

Program Overview

Gettysburg College’s Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary education that combines the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to help students understand and address complex environmental challenges. Through coursework, field experiences, research, and opportunities to explore environmental policy and communication, students develop the analytical, research, and communication skills needed to contribute to sustainability and environmental problem-solving.

Year-by-Year Curriculum

The college identifies six core courses and five electives for the BA major. The following is an indicative progression based on the college’s recommended course sequence, rather than a fixed four-year schedule.

Year 1: Foundations in Environmental Studies

Students are encouraged to take ES 196: Environmental Science and Society as early as possible, preferably in their first year. This course introduces the methods and assumptions of environmental science and examines how environmental problems intersect with society, helping students build a foundation for further interdisciplinary study.

Year 2: Core Environmental Concepts

Students typically complete the 200-level core courses by the end of their sophomore year. These include ES 211: Principles of Ecology, ES 223: Earth System Science, ES 225: Introduction to Environmental Humanities, and ES 230: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, covering ecological systems, the Earth’s processes, human perspectives on the environment, and spatial analysis.

Year 3: Electives and Area of Concentration

Students select electives to develop an area of concentration aligned with their interests and career goals. Depending on course availability and advising, options may include subjects such as climate change, remote sensing, environmental applications of GIS, and environmental policy-related topics.

Year 4: Advanced Study and Capstone

Students complete the capstone requirement through ES 400: Environmental Studies Seminar or ES 460: Honors Thesis. This advanced work allows them to bring together their environmental knowledge and analytical skills, with the honors thesis providing a research-focused option.

Focus Areas

Students choose electives to develop an area of concentration. Possible interests include:

Environmental policy and planning
Wildlife ecology and conservation
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Sustainable development
Environmental writing and communication

These areas connect scientific understanding with social, political, and cultural perspectives on environmental challenges.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Environmental Studies major, students are expected to:

Integrate knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Apply critical thinking and quantitative and qualitative analysis to local and global environmental issues.
Conduct an environmental research study using appropriate methods.
Communicate research findings through written work, oral presentations, and visual media such as maps, figures, posters, and digital content.

Professional Alignment and Accreditation

The program develops transferable skills relevant to environmental consulting, conservation, policy, planning, education, GIS, and nonprofit work. Gettysburg’s published program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specific to the Environmental Studies BA; students should therefore distinguish the degree’s interdisciplinary preparation from a formally accredited professional qualification.

Reputation and Employability

Gettysburg College highlights field-based learning, faculty-led research, and an interdisciplinary environmental curriculum. Its department describes graduates working across government, business, nonprofit organizations, environmental research, and related fields, with alumni experiences including work at the U.S. Capitol and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. These are examples of possible pathways, not a guarantee of employment or a program-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Gettysburg College’s Environmental Studies program connects classroom learning with real environmental challenges through fieldwork, research, internships, and study trips. Students can explore ecosystems, investigate environmental change, learn from faculty research, and build practical experience that supports their future academic and professional goals.

Fieldwork and study trips: Gain experience in locations such as Pennsylvania farms and coal country, Gettysburg National Military Park, the Appalachian Mountains, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Specialized field courses: Explore environmental systems through the departmental summer course on the Rocky Mountain West.
GIS and spatial analysis: Study Geographic Information Systems through courses such as ES 230: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and ES 312: Environmental Applications of GIS.
Remote sensing projects: In ES 363: Remote Sensing, students learn about satellite and airborne sensing technologies and may undertake a change-detection project examining environmental changes such as deforestation, urbanization, or flooding.
Faculty-led research: Collaborate with faculty and fellow students on environmental research projects that may lead to publication or presentations at professional conferences.
Undergraduate research opportunities: Explore opportunities through the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute at Gettysburg (X-SIG) and the Kolbe Research Fellowship.
Internships: Gain professional exposure through opportunities with environmental agencies, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, and local conservation or agricultural organizations. The department encourages students to consider internships during summer breaks or the academic year.
Campus sustainability and community engagement: Explore sustainability-related activities through student organizations and initiatives, including opportunities connected with waste reduction, gardening, and environmental leadership.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies prepares students to approach environmental challenges from scientific, social, political, and cultural perspectives. By combining interdisciplinary coursework with research, field experiences, and opportunities for professional engagement, graduates can pursue environmental careers or continue into postgraduate study in related disciplines.

Potential Career Paths

Environmental Policy Analyst: Research environmental regulations, assess policy proposals, and help organizations understand environmental challenges.
Environmental Consultant: Support environmental assessments, sustainability initiatives, and compliance-related projects.
GIS Analyst: Use geographic data and mapping tools to investigate land use, conservation, and environmental patterns.
Conservation or Sustainability Coordinator: Help develop and support conservation projects, sustainability programs, or environmental education initiatives.

These are potential career directions rather than guaranteed job placements. Some positions may require additional technical training, relevant experience, or postgraduate qualifications.

Career Development and Professional Opportunities

Career services: Gettysburg’s Center for Career Engagement helps students explore career options and connect academic experiences with internships, externships, job-shadowing opportunities, and employment pathways.
Internship preparation: The Environmental Studies department encourages internships with public agencies, environmental consulting firms, nonprofits, and local organizations, allowing students to gain exposure to professional working environments.
Networking and mentoring: The connectGettysburg platform provides opportunities to connect with alumni, students, and other members of the college community for networking, mentoring, and career advice.
Research and academic development: Faculty-led research, the honors thesis option, and undergraduate research fellowships can help students develop experience relevant to graduate applications and research-oriented careers.
Employment statistics and salaries: The official program information reviewed does not provide a specific Environmental Studies BA employment rate or median salary. Prospective students should compare salary and job-market information for their intended career and location.
Industry partnerships and accreditation: Internships and external professional experiences can help students build connections with environmental organizations. However, the program information reviewed does not establish a formal industry-partnership guarantee or a program-specific professional accreditation.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates may consider postgraduate study in areas such as:

Environmental Studies or Environmental Science
Environmental Policy and Management
Sustainability and Sustainable Development
Conservation Biology or Ecology
Geographic Information Systems and Geospatial Science
Urban and Regional Planning
Environmental Law, following the relevant law-school admission pathway

The most suitable postgraduate option will depend on the student’s academic preparation, career goals, and the entry requirements of the institution offering the degree.