Bachelor's in Environmental Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Salisbury University

Program Overview

Salisbury University’s Environmental Studies programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding environmental challenges, combining perspectives from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to help students explore the connections between people and the natural world. Located near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the programme is especially suited to students interested in conservation, sustainability, environmental advocacy, resource management, or environmental education who want to develop their knowledge through fieldwork, research, internships, and community projects.

Curriculum structure

Note: The following is a suggested four-year progression, not a verified official semester-by-semester plan. Students should confirm the exact course sequence with an academic adviser.

Year 1: Understanding environmental issues

Students begin building an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges, considering how natural systems interact with human communities, economies, and cultures. Introductory environmental studies coursework and general education classes provide a foundation for later study in conservation, environmental policy, and sustainability.

Year 2: Exploring environmental systems and society

Students deepen their understanding of environmental issues through further Environmental Studies coursework and electives aligned with their interests. They can begin exploring areas such as land and resource management, pollution control, environmental advocacy, environmental education, and sustainable business while identifying a suitable career pathway with an academic adviser.

Year 3: Fieldwork and environmental experience

Students can develop practical skills through internships, field experiences, and study abroad. One distinctive option is ENVR 460: Chesapeake Bay Topics, which can be taken as part of the Kayaking Delmarva experience, allowing students to investigate the ecology, culture, history, and politics of the Delmarva Peninsula.

Year 4: Applied research and professional preparation

Advanced students can take part in ENVR 495: Environmental Field Studies, the second course in the Kayaking Delmarva experience, which includes exploration of rivers, coastal landscapes, and local communities, as well as the development and presentation of final projects. Students can also complete an internship to gain workplace experience and strengthen their preparation for environmental careers or postgraduate study.

Focus areas

Environmental studies, conservation, land and resource management, pollution control, environmental advocacy, environmental education, ecotourism, sustainable business, environmental stewardship, community engagement, environmental field research, and environmental policy.

Learning outcomes

Graduates are expected to understand major environmental conflicts and challenges, critically evaluate different approaches to environmental issues, integrate knowledge from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, develop a considered environmental ethic, communicate complex issues to different audiences, and understand how environmental challenges vary from local to global contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The official programme information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Environmental Studies major. Its interdisciplinary coursework, internships, research, and community-based experiences can help students develop relevant skills for environmental work, although some specialised careers may require additional qualifications.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Salisbury University’s Environmental Studies Department reports that its programme has been recognised as the top Environmental Studies programme in Maryland and ranked 35th in the United States. The department also reports that more than half of its graduates complete an internship and almost half study abroad; these are programme-reported figures, rather than a guarantee of individual outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Salisbury University’s Environmental Studies programme emphasises learning through direct experience, with field trips, applied community projects, environmental research, and internships forming an important part of the student experience. Its location near the Chesapeake Bay, coastal barrier islands, rivers, and wetlands gives students opportunities to explore environmental issues in real settings. Students can also develop communication and research skills through environmental storytelling, international study experiences, and practical work with conservation organisations.

Key practical learning opportunities include:

Kayaking Delmarva summer field experience: Students travel by kayak through parts of the Delmarva Peninsula, exploring rivers, barrier islands, and watermen’s communities while learning about regional ecology, history, culture, and politics.
Environmental field studies: ENVR 495: Environmental Field Studies gives students opportunities to explore natural landscapes and environmental issues directly. The Kayaking Delmarva experience includes final projects developed and presented by participating students.
Chesapeake Bay research and storytelling: ENVR 460: The Bay in Words and Pictures is an environmental photojournalism course in which students research Chesapeake Bay-related stories, practise journalistic reporting and digital photography, and publish their work in an online magazine.
Internships with environmental organisations: Students can complete internships with organisations such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, and Horn Point Laboratories.
Water-quality monitoring: A placement with Assateague Coastal Trust has involved collecting water samples, using a YSI Pro Plus water-quality meter to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, conductivity, and temperature, and recording results in Excel spreadsheets.
Environmental Studies House: This department space includes a student lounge, faculty offices, and a woodshop used by the Environmental Students Association to build bird and bat boxes, rain barrels, and other environmental projects.
Outdoor learning equipment: The department maintains kayaks, camping equipment, and mountain bikes to support its field-based activities.
Sustainable landscape design and campus projects: The grounds of the Environmental Studies House serve as a learning space for sustainable landscape design. Students have also worked on pollinator gardens, wildlife habitats, raised-bed gardens, and campus sustainability initiatives.
Study abroad: Environmental Studies students have opportunities to explore environmental topics in places such as Honduras, Iceland, Trinidad, and the Amazon, depending on the available programme and course.
Student organisations: The Environmental Students Association, Bioenvirons Club, Gardening Club, and Outdoor Club provide additional opportunities for environmental awareness, conservation activities, habitat building, and community projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Salisbury University’s Environmental Studies major can prepare graduates for careers in conservation, natural-resource management, environmental advocacy, environmental education, and sustainability-related work. Students can shape their academic choices around their intended career path, while internships, fieldwork, and community engagement help them gain experience relevant to environmental organisations, public agencies, nonprofits, and sustainable businesses.

Typical career options include:

City planner
Conservation agent
Environmental health specialist
Natural resource specialist

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career services: Salisbury University Career Services provides career exploration, résumé reviews, mock interviews, job and internship search assistance, career workshops, and graduate-school guidance. Students can also use the university’s CareerGulls platform to explore opportunities and connect with employers and alumni.
Employment statistics and salary: A university survey covering 2020–2023 graduates from the Fulton School of Liberal Arts, which includes Environmental Studies, reported that 96% of surveyed graduates were employed full- or part-time one year after graduation and reported an average annual salary of $48,742 for recent Fulton graduates. These are school-level figures, not Environmental Studies-specific statistics.
Environmental internships and partnerships: Past internship opportunities have included the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of the Environment, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, and Horn Point Laboratories. Students can work with departmental faculty and Career Services to identify or develop an internship suited to their interests.
Green career pathways: The university’s Green Futures Program connects students with faculty, staff, alumni, and regional employers across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Its areas of interest include sustainability, environmental justice, wildlife conservation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and green technology.
Professional accreditation: The official programme information does not list a separate professional accreditation for the major. Graduates pursuing specialised or regulated roles should check the additional qualifications required by the relevant employer or professional body.
Graduation outcomes: The Environmental Studies Department identifies pathways in land and resource management, pollution control, environmental advocacy, ecotourism and environmental education, sustainable business, and graduate or law school. Students should use these pathways to select relevant electives, minors, and practical experiences.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, graduates can consider postgraduate study in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Sustainability, Conservation, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Education. Students interested in environmental law may also explore law school, while those seeking research-focused careers can consider master's or doctoral programmes in Environmental Studies or a related discipline. Admission requirements vary, so students should review each programme's prerequisites and research expectations before applying.