In comparison to the technical approach our sister major Environmental Science and
Technology (ENST) takes to environmental problem-solving, Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP) takes a broader approach akin to the liberal arts and sciences, including geography, government, and economics, along with basic sciences in biology and chemistry. Because the entry-level science requirements are similar, however, transitioning between majors is easy, and the advisors work closely to help students choose the right major for them.
ENSP students learn more about the ways science, social systems, and policy interact, which prepares them to deal with complexity, change, and diverse points of view. Eventually, about half of ENSP students enroll in "science-oriented" concentrations; and half in "policy-oriented" concentrations.
All ENSP graduates earn a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy: Concentration in (name of concentration); and are well-prepared for employment and graduate school. As ENSP students move on in their careers, they are as likely to study public policy and law as they are science.
Entry-level positions common among ENSP recent alumni include:
- Research/technical assistant - federal agencies (science)
- Program analyst - federal agencies (policy)
- Policy analyst - non-profit organizations
- Environmental scientist - engineering and environmental services firms
- Field- and/or research assistant - wildlife ecology and other sciences
- Sustainability coordinator - in businesses and universities
- Environmental/outdoor educator
- Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Teach for America volunteers
- Go here for more detail.
After 5-10 years, many ENSP alumni continue on as:
- Mid-level employees in governmental, consulting, and/or non-profit agencies related to environmental science, policy, or advocacy
- Environmental scientists in governmental, consulting, or academic settings
- Regional/environmental planners
- Attorneys
- Public school educators
- Go here for more detail.
Post-graduate destinations of ENSP alumni include:
- Arizona State University - School of Sustainability
- Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden) - Programme in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability
- Columbia University - School of Journalism, School of Public Health
- Cornell University
- Duke University - Nicholas School of the Environment
- Georgetown University - School of Law
- Harvard University - School of Law, and the Graduate School
- Johns Hopkins University - Bloomberg School of Public Health
- McGill University (Canada)
- Marquette University - School of Law
- Northwestern University
- Rutgers University - School of Planning and Public Policy
- Stanford University
- SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- University of California - Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, and Riverside campuses
- University of Colorado - School of Journalism, School of Law
- University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
- University of Maryland - School of Law, School of Public Policy, and the Graduate School
- University of Michigan - School of Natural Resources and Environment
- University of North Carolina
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Texas - School of Law, School of Public Policy, and the Graduate School
- University of Washington - College of the Environment
- Vermont College of Law
- Yale University - School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
