The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for environmental scientists will grow by 25% in the next decade. If that’s not reason enough to major in environmental studies, consider the many opportunities to conduct field work, study real life issues such as climate change and the energy crisis, participate in internships and study abroad, and draw on a variety of disciplines including science, economics, politics, law, philosophy, and communications. 

Students in the environmental studies major at Hamline follow an individualized program of study that includes three required courses (“Biodiversity and Conservation Biology,” “Introduction to Environmental Studies,” and “Problem Solving in Environmental Studies”), six courses in a discipline of the student’s choice, an internship, and five supporting courses. 

Before declaring the major, students are encouraged to think about their post-Hamline goals and meet with the chair of the environmental studies program to determine an appropriate specialty. Law, political science, chemistry, biology, and teaching are all popular complements to the environmental studies major.

Majors enjoy personal attention from their professors and immediate access to laboratory equipment. They will have the opportunity to participate in collaborative research with their professors and present their results at national conferences where they will also network with professionals in their field. 

Internships are required. In recent years students have interned as teachers, campus organizers, environmental law assistants, native plant landscapers, and researchers. They also have worked for habitat restoration organizations and sustainability institutes.

On campus majors are active in student organizations such as the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) and SPROUT (Students Proposing Realistic Options for Under-utilized Territory), the student organic garden.

There is no shortage of employment or advanced study opportunities for environmental studies majors. Students may go on to careers as: environmental scientists, lawyers, geoscientists, oceanographers, science teachers, engineers, product developers, advocates, park rangers, naturalists, and biologists. Read more about life after Hamline.