The Environmental Studies program provides you with skills and knowledge to address the environmental challenges of our time. A rich selection of courses will help you explore both our urban and wild surroundings as you investigate sustainability and environmental justice, as well as the relationships between humans and other living things. We provide a supportive academic program for students of all backgrounds. Whether you have some or no experience in studying the natural world, you are welcome!
What is Environmental Studies?
Environmental Studies is a rich, interconnected and complex field. For that reason, our program provides strong foundations in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. You will have opportunities to bring these complementary areas of knowledge together to explore the nuances and fundamental interconnectedness of human interaction with the world around us.
The Jesuit tradition of caring for the planet and our physical location in beautiful Central Massachusetts also inform our focus on the natural and built world. We engage in thoughtful and responsible ways with the diverse urban communities in and around the city of Worcester. Many of our courses and events join community partners to address local environmental concerns. Many ENVS majors and minors further expand their horizons by immersing themselves in new environments and cultures through a study abroad experience.
Training Future Leaders
The environmental field is ripe with career opportunities. Our graduates go on to competitive professional and academic graduate programs, and into fulfilling jobs in environmental justice, policy, science, business, city planning, law, education, conservation and more. Whether you are interested in pursuing environmental justice or advocacy, creating or analyzing art that explores the human relationship with nature, developing environmental policy, supporting sustainable businesses or communities, exploring the science of how the environment works, or another aspect of our interaction with the world around us, you have a home in Environmental Studies.
Program Highlights
- An integrative understanding of the cultural, economic, political, social, and scientific elements of environmental issues
- Ethical and social justice issues relating to the environment
- Role of economic and social policy to address our environmental crisis
- Natural and human causes and effects of climate change
- Influence of urbanization on the environment
Take part in a semester or year abroad experience focused on the environment — on land or at sea.
Numerous hands-on learning opportunities are available at area environmental non-profit agencies.
Statement on Environmental Racism and Justice
Environmental inequality leads to starkly different experiences in this country. Read the full statement from the Environmental Studies Department.
Environmental Studies News
The New York Times | The Globe and Mail | The Wall Street Journal | Scientific American