Environment & Sustainability, BA & BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Seattle University

Program Overview

Seattle University’s Environment & Sustainability program prepares students to address environmental challenges by connecting ecological science with social justice, economics, public policy, and community well-being. Students can choose a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused on urban sustainability, environmental education and communication, or politics, policy and justice, or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused on ecological systems, allowing them to shape their studies around their interests and career goals.

Curriculum Structure

Seattle University provides four-year sample plans for its specializations. The courses below illustrate a typical progression, but the exact sequence depends on the chosen specialization, entry year, course availability, and academic advising.

Year 1: Build a foundation in sustainability and natural systems. Students begin with EVST 1600 Sustainability, People and Environment and EVST 2100 Natural History: Theory and Practice, developing an understanding of environmental systems and the relationship between people and nature. University Core courses, including academic writing and quantitative reasoning, also help students build the communication and analytical skills needed to investigate environmental issues.

Year 2: Explore environmental science, ethics, and social responsibility. Students can take EVST 2150 Geoscience to study Earth's physical systems and EVST 2950 Ethics, Equity & Environment to consider the ethical and social dimensions of environmental decisions. These courses help students understand how environmental challenges intersect with communities, fairness, and responsible resource use.

Year 3: Develop research, policy, and analytical skills. Courses such as EVST 3400 Research Design & Statistics, EVST 3050 Economics and Environment, and EVST 3500 Intro to GIS help students investigate environmental questions, analyze data, and understand the economic and spatial dimensions of sustainability. Depending on their specialization, students may also study EVST 3000 Environmental Politics or EVST 4740 International Environmental Governance, and pursue an internship or career-focused coursework.

Year 4: Integrate learning through advanced coursework and a capstone. Students deepen their specialization through courses such as EVST 3200 Ecology and relevant specialization electives. They complete EVST 4900 Senior Synthesis: Capstone, which brings together their research, environmental knowledge, and analytical skills to address a significant sustainability issue.

Focus Areas

Urban Sustainability; Environmental Education and Communication; Politics, Policy and Justice; Ecological Systems; environmental science; conservation; environmental justice; GIS and geospatial technology; environmental economics; ecological restoration; climate and sustainability policy; and community engagement.

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to examine environmental problems through the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; understand the physical and biological dynamics of ecosystems; analyze the social, economic, political, and ethical factors influencing environmental decisions; and communicate evidence-based solutions. The program also emphasizes quantitative analysis, empirical research, local and regional ecosystem knowledge, and a major capstone research paper.

Professional Alignment and Accreditation

The program supports preparation for careers in environmental policy, sustainability, conservation, urban planning, environmental education, GIS, and ecological research. Seattle University’s official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this major; students pursuing regulated professions should confirm any additional qualifications or licensing requirements relevant to their intended career.

Reputation and Employability

Seattle University reports an overall university success rate of 94%, describing this as the proportion of graduates who are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months. This is a university-wide figure rather than an Environment & Sustainability-specific employment rate. The department also publishes examples of alumni career destinations in environmental communication, conservation, outreach, and public service.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Seattle University’s Environment & Sustainability program emphasizes learning through research, internships, field experiences, and collaboration with faculty, campus partners, and local communities. Its location in the Pacific Northwest gives students opportunities to explore urban sustainability, environmental justice, and the ecology of regional landscapes. Students can also apply data analysis and GIS skills to environmental questions and develop practical experience through projects that address real sustainability challenges.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

- Faculty-guided research: Students investigate sustainability questions that connect ecological and social issues. Previous capstone projects have examined urban garden equity, access to farmers’ markets, policies to reduce runoff, effective organizing practices for farm workers, and wolf reintroduction.

- Internships with environmental organizations: Students have completed internships with organizations including Climate Solutions, Conservation Northwest, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, EarthCorps, Forterra, the Marine Conservation Institute, the Pacific Science Center, the Washington Environmental Council, and the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. Placements depend on availability and student interests.

- GIS and geospatial technology: EVST 3500 Intro to GIS introduces geographic information systems for environmental analysis and mapping. Students can also pursue a university GIS & Geospatial Technology Certificate, which develops skills in GIS software and data collection tools.

- Environmental field methods: The Ecological Systems B.S. includes scientific and field-based study of physical and ecological systems. Students can explore environmental conditions and ecological processes across Pacific Northwest habitats.

- Environmental internships and career preparation: EVST 4950 Internship provides an opportunity to gain professional experience, while EVST 3750 Sustainability Careers helps students explore potential career paths. The specific course option available depends on the applicable degree plan and academic year.

- Community-based sustainability work: Students can work with faculty and campus partners on projects designed to improve sustainability at the university and in local or global communities.

- Environmental education and communication: Students pursuing the B.A. specialization can develop skills in teaching, public awareness, advocacy, and communicating environmental challenges to diverse audiences.

- Education abroad: The department highlights opportunities to explore international environmental issues through education-abroad experiences.

- Capstone research: EVST 4900 Senior Synthesis: Capstone gives students an opportunity to integrate their learning into a substantial research project related to their specialization.

The department’s official pages do not identify a single required software package or a dedicated laboratory that every student must use; specific tools and facilities depend on the courses and research projects selected.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Seattle University’s Environment & Sustainability degree can prepare graduates for work addressing environmental challenges through policy, conservation, ecological restoration, urban planning, sustainability, and environmental communication. The B.A. is particularly relevant for students interested in policy, justice, education, and urban sustainability, while the B.S. provides a stronger ecological systems focus for students interested in scientific and field-based environmental work.

Potential career paths include:

Environmental Policy or Sustainability Analyst
Environmental Restoration or Conservation Specialist
GIS Technician or Geospatial Analyst
Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator

These are potential career directions rather than guaranteed job placements. The qualifications needed will depend on the position, employer, specialization, and any additional professional training.

Career Support and Professional Preparation

- Career Engagement support: Seattle University encourages students to connect with its Career Engagement Office while planning internships, researching career paths, and preparing for employment. The four-year plans include career-planning milestones and guidance on finding internship or research opportunities.

- Internship coordination: The department identifies an internship coordinator who helps students plan experiences aligned with their academic and career goals. Students can explore opportunities with environmental nonprofits, government-related organizations, conservation groups, and sustainability-focused employers.

- Research and practical experience: Faculty-guided research, community-based projects, and the senior capstone help students develop analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills that are useful in environmental professions.

- University-wide graduate outcomes: Seattle University reports a 94% success rate, defined as the proportion of graduates employed or pursuing graduate study within six months. This figure applies to the university overall, not specifically to Environment & Sustainability graduates.

- Environmental employer exposure: Past internship destinations listed by the department include Climate Solutions, Conservation Northwest, EarthCorps, Forterra, the Marine Conservation Institute, and the Washington Environmental Council. These examples demonstrate potential professional connections but do not guarantee future placements or employment.

- Employment and salary figures: The official program sources reviewed do not provide a specific employment rate or average salary for Environment & Sustainability graduates. Salary prospects vary by occupation, location, degree specialization, and experience; students should consult current occupational data when evaluating individual career paths.

- Accreditation value: The university does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Environment & Sustainability major on its official program pages. Students can build professional credibility through relevant coursework, GIS training, internships, research, and additional qualifications appropriate to their chosen field.

- Graduation outcomes: The department lists alumni career paths in urban planning and transportation, environmental restoration, environmental policy and law, GIS, and environmental communication. Examples include environmental outreach, conservation photography, wetland biology internships, and community relations roles.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue master’s degrees in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Sustainability, Environmental Policy, Urban Planning, Conservation Biology, or related fields. Students interested in ecological research may consider graduate study in Ecology, Biology, or Environmental Science, while those drawn to policy and justice can explore Public Policy, Public Administration, or Environmental Law pathways. The B.A. and B.S. specializations provide different foundations, so students should choose postgraduate programs that match their coursework, career goals, and any additional admission requirements.