Environmental Studies, B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Siena College

Program Overview

Siena University's Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who want to understand environmental challenges through the social sciences and humanities, while exploring how people, communities, and institutions influence the natural world. It is particularly suited to students interested in sustainability, environmental education, environmental law, public policy, and community development, offering a perspective that connects environmental concerns with society and practical decision-making.

Curriculum Structure

The exact year-by-year course sequence is not established by the accessible official catalog page. The following is an illustrative progression based on documented Siena Environmental Studies coursework, rather than a confirmed four-year schedule.

Year 1: Understanding Environmental Challenges

Students can begin by developing a foundation in environmental issues and the relationship between people and the natural world. Courses such as Environmental Science (ENVA 100) and Environment and Society (ENVA 140) introduce environmental problems, the role of social institutions, and the effects of human activities on ecosystems and human well-being.

Year 2: Exploring Environmental Ethics and Society

Students can deepen their understanding of the values and social responsibilities involved in environmental decision-making. Environmental Ethics (ENVA 120) explores ethical approaches to environmental protection, while Environment and Society (ENVA 140) examines the relationship between social institutions, lifestyles, environmental deterioration, and efforts to protect natural environments.

Year 3: Connecting Environmental Knowledge with Policy and Practice

As students progress, they can explore how environmental issues intersect with public policy, sustainability, and community development. Siena identifies political science, international studies, business, and community development as complementary areas for Environmental Studies students, helping them develop a broader perspective on environmental decision-making and potential professional pathways.

Year 4: Applying Knowledge to Professional Goals

In the later stage of the degree, students can build toward professional experience and postgraduate study by pursuing relevant electives, independent study, or internship opportunities where available. Siena's environmental programs emphasize hands-on learning, and the university's School of Science offers credit-bearing internship courses with approved professional placements; students should confirm the requirements that apply specifically to the B.A. in Environmental Studies.

Focus Areas

Environmental ethics, environment and society, sustainability, environmental education, environmental policy, environmental law, social sciences, humanities, community development, and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problem-solving.

Learning Outcomes

Students can develop an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges, evaluate the social and ethical dimensions of environmental decisions, examine how institutions and human behavior influence environmental conditions, and connect environmental concerns with policy and community-based solutions. Complementary study in areas such as political science, international studies, business, or community development can help students tailor their academic interests toward particular career goals.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Siena presents Environmental Studies as an interdisciplinary undergraduate major designed to prepare students for environmental and sustainability-related careers. The official program information reviewed does not identify a separate programmatic accreditation for the B.A. in Environmental Studies, so students seeking a specific professional credential should verify the applicable requirements for their intended career.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Siena promotes career preparation, internships, and graduate outcomes as important parts of the student experience. Its official career information reports that 95% of graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within one year of graduation; this is a university-wide figure, not a placement rate specifically for Environmental Studies graduates. No separate Environmental Studies employability ranking was verified in the official sources reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Siena University, Environmental Studies students can connect classroom discussions about environmental responsibility, policy, and society with practical experiences beyond the classroom. The university highlights access to environmental field-study locations in the Hudson River Valley and Adirondack Mountains, community environmental education, citizen science, independent research, and internships. These opportunities can help students understand how environmental challenges affect real communities and how different organizations approach environmental protection.

Students can explore the following program-related opportunities and resources:

- Field-Study Opportunities: Siena's location in New York's Capital Region provides access to the Hudson River Valley and Adirondack Mountains. These locations offer opportunities to explore environmental conditions and human interactions with natural landscapes; specific field trips for the B.A. should be confirmed with the department.

- Environmental Research and Independent Study: Siena highlights student-led research connecting environmental change with human experiences. One example is an Environmental Studies student's independent study involving interviews with ice fishermen to examine how environmental change affects participation in the sport.

- Community Environmental Education and Citizen Science: Siena's student environmental club involves students in community education and citizen science projects. These activities provide opportunities to engage with environmental issues and participate in community-oriented initiatives.

- Environmental Internships: Siena's School of Science offers credit-bearing internship courses, including SCDV 250 for sophomores and SCDV 480 for juniors and seniors. Environmental Studies and Environmental Science majors have a designated placement form for SCDV 480, and students can explore approved placements through faculty contacts and the university's Handshake platform. Eligibility and degree-credit requirements should be confirmed with the department.

- Sustainability Projects: Siena's Sustainability Scholars program gives participating students opportunities to design, implement, and promote campus sustainability projects. Students can also explore independent studies and guided research related to sustainability. Availability and eligibility should be checked with the program.

- Career Development Tools: The MacDonnell Career and Internship Center provides access to Handshake, LinkedIn resources, ePortfolios, career exploration tools, mock interviews, and résumé and cover letter reviews. These resources can help students prepare applications for internships and environmental career opportunities.

- Environmental Studies and Sciences Resources: The department provides information about faculty, learning goals, and its GIS Resource Center. Students interested in geographic information systems should consult the department to establish which GIS resources and courses are available to B.A. students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. in Environmental Studies at Siena University can help students prepare for careers that connect environmental responsibility with policy, education, community engagement, and sustainability. By developing an understanding of environmental ethics, social institutions, and environmental decision-making, graduates can pursue roles in public agencies, nonprofit organizations, sustainability initiatives, and environmental advocacy, or continue their education in a related field.

Potential Career Paths Include:

Sustainability Coordinator: Support sustainability initiatives, coordinate environmental programs, and promote responsible resource use within organizations.
Environmental Educator: Help schools, community groups, and environmental organizations communicate environmental issues and encourage sustainable practices.
Environmental Policy Assistant: Research environmental regulations and policy proposals and help organizations understand their social and environmental implications.
Environmental Advocacy or Outreach Specialist: Support public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and conservation initiatives.

These are potential career pathways aligned with the program's interdisciplinary focus, not guaranteed job placements.

Students can strengthen their career readiness through the following opportunities:

- Career Services and Professional Guidance: Siena's MacDonnell Career and Internship Center provides individual career counseling, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, career exploration, networking guidance, and access to Handshake for job and internship searches. Students can also use LinkedIn resources and ePortfolios to strengthen their professional profiles.

- Employment and Salary Statistics: Siena reports that 95% of its graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within one year of graduation. The university also reports an average salary of $65,667 for young alumni on its admissions page. These figures represent university-wide outcomes and are not specific to Environmental Studies graduates.

- Internships and Professional Experience: Siena's internship programs provide opportunities to gain supervised experience related to students' academic interests. The university documents environmental-related placements, including an Environmental Studies student's internship with Capital Regional Environmental Lab, involving water testing, and a student internship with Capital Region PRISM focused on invasive species management. These examples demonstrate relevant experiential pathways but do not guarantee similar placements for every student.

- University and Employer Connections: Siena's published internship information identifies New York State government offices as potential internship destinations and encourages students to use faculty contacts and Handshake to identify opportunities. Siena's wider internship network includes organizations such as Audubon International, providing examples of potential connections relevant to environmental interests. Specific formal partnerships or guaranteed placements for the B.A. have not been established by the sources reviewed.

- Long-Term Professional Development: The degree's interdisciplinary approach can provide a foundation for work involving sustainability, environmental education, public policy, and community development. Students planning to pursue a regulated profession or specialized credential should verify the additional qualifications required, as the official program information reviewed does not establish a separate professional accreditation for this degree.

- Graduation Outcomes and Alumni Support: Siena's career resources help students prepare for employment and further study through career counseling, networking with alumni and professionals, and access to graduate-school guidance. The university's First Destination Survey also provides a framework for tracking graduates' employment and continuing-education outcomes. Program-specific placement and salary figures for Environmental Studies were not verified.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A. in Environmental Studies, students can pursue postgraduate study to deepen their expertise or qualify for more specialized roles. Depending on their interests and admission requirements, relevant options may include:

Master's in Environmental Studies or Sustainability: Explore environmental challenges, sustainable development, and approaches to environmental management.
Master's in Public Policy or Environmental Policy: Develop skills in policy analysis, governance, and environmental decision-making.
Master's in Community Development or International Development: Study community-led solutions, social change, and the relationship between development and environmental sustainability.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Other Legal Studies: For students interested in environmental law, regulation, and advocacy, a law degree may provide a route toward legal practice, subject to the relevant jurisdiction's requirements.
Graduate Research: Pursue advanced interdisciplinary research into environmental ethics, social responses to environmental change, sustainability, or environmental governance.

These are potential academic pathways rather than guaranteed progression routes. Students should review individual graduate-program prerequisites and admissions requirements before applying.