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Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Bachelor of Arts
Students who are interested in the environment and the issues at its crux will enjoy the pursuit of this degree. Crucial issues of sustainability, diversity, and change are interwoven through the program. A language proficiency requirement bolsters understanding beyond English-speaking perspectives.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- 57 units of major requirements.
- 16 units of language requirements.
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| Bachelor/Juris Doctor 3+3 | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Environmental and Sustainability Studies program at NAU constructs an interdisciplinary base of knowledge and skills that integrates humanistic disciplines and perspectives with natural and social scientific approaches to develop real-world solutions to our environmental and sustainability challenges, from the local to the global.
Our BS/BA degree program begins with a firm grounding in natural systems, to ensure all students understand how physical and biological processes maintain life, and how humans are affecting, and are affected by, the natural world. In addition to the natural sciences, students will also obtain a solid understanding of the environment through focusing on the social sciences and humanities in order to develop a critical appreciation of the historical, political,economic and ethical forces that have shaped our current environmental issues. This will prepare students for work in non-profit, government and community-action organizations.
Students will work together in field and lab environments to apply rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods to environmental and sustainability issues, exploring interdisciplinary impacts and solutions that range across space and time. Interdisciplinary experience is centered around focus areas or specific environmental problems, rather than disciplines. This structure produces students well-trained in both the fundamentals of multiple disciplines as well as specific knowledge needed to understand, analyze and become engaged in particular issues and professions. Additionally for the BA degree, students will attain foreign language competency and experience with cross-cultural communication to better understand the impact of environmental issues on global communities.
This issue-based approach allows students to attain a wide knowledge base in order to approach the solution of specific problems by working individually and together with other students. To culminate learning in the program, students develop an individually designed research project or internship addressing an environmental issue of importance to them, which helps to further prepare students for a range of professional or graduate opportunities.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand interactions among natural and human systems and their relationships to sustainability science.
- Examine feedbacks between the human experience and the environment.
- Identify and effectively communicate environmental issues and sustainable solutions using natural science, ethical, and social science principles.
- Explore the components of, and the interactions between, the Earth system such as lithosphere, hydrosphere, soils, atmosphere, and how people and society interact with these systems.
- Envision environmental problems through a lens that acknowledges component interactions, feedback loops, emergent properties, and uncertainty.
- Apply knowledge of coupled human-natural systems to address complex environmental problems such as decision-making in the face of uncertainty.
- Investigate the effects of resource use and management within linked natural and social systems and learn ways to maintain healthy ecosystem services.
- Apply knowledge of the policy cycle, stakeholders, the science policy interface and environmental legislation to inform sustainability policies.
- Incorporate sustainability principles into interdisciplinary policy decision-making, to generate innovative ideas.
- Demonstrate competence in critical thought and communication.
- Actively participate in field and lab research including data collection, management, analysis and synthesis.
- Participate in internship or research activities that align environmental studies concepts to address and resolve environmental issues.
- Attain foreign language competency and experience with cross-cultural communication.
- Investigate the core concepts of life sciences including nutrient cycling, applications of ecology, biological diversity, conservation biology, and the role of these concepts in human and natural systems.
Details Accordion Closed
Major Requirements
This major requires 73 units distributed as follows:
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses: 57 units
- Foreign Language: 16 units
Take the following 73 units:
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses (57 units)
The following courses must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course, or 'Pass' in Pass/Fail courses.- COM 150 (3 units)
- EES 115 (3 units)
- ENV 120, ENV 171, ENV 171L, ENV 181, ENV 359 (11 units)
- ENV 226 (3 units)
- Select from the following (1 unit):
- Select from the following which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units):
- ENV 490C which meets the senior capstone requirement. (3 units)
- HUM 175 (3 units)
- PHI 331 (3 units)
- POS 110 (3 units)
- Select from the following (3 units):
- One additional upper-division ENV course (3 units)
- Select 15 units with at least 6 units at the 300- or 400-level, from the following:
Natural Sciences
- Select at least one from the following:
- BIO 302, BIO 345, BIO 373, BIO 374, BIO 477, BIO 478
- BIO 322 and BIO 322L
- BIO 384 and BIO 384L
- BIO 414 and BIO 414L
- CENE 150
- ENV 110, ENV 373, ENV 375, ENV 440, ENV 440L, ENV 460
- ENV 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 213, FOR 222, FOR 240, FOR 255, FOR 420, FOR 382, FOR 443, FOR 465
- FOR 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 381 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 107, GLG 112, GLG 451
- GLG 259 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 304 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 150
- HS 313
- HS 471 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PHS 101
- Select at least one from the following:
Social Sciences
- Select at least one course from the following:
- AIS 290
- AIS 390 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- AIS 395 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 102
- ANT 351 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 370 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- CENE 440
- CCJ 312
- ECO 324
- ENV 425
- ECO 328 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 230 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 434, FOR 447
- FOR 493 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 148 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 201, GSP 240, GSP 241, GSP 272, GSP 276, GSP 403, GSP 371, GSP 376, GSP 402, GSP 421, GSP 470
- GSP 220 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 236 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 336 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 344, POS 361, POS 455
- POS 357 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PRM 300, PRM 411
- PSY 411
- SOC 301 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 315 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 319, SOC 333, SOC 334, SOC 414, SOC 415
- SUS 101, SUS 220, SUS 230, SUS 320
- Select at least one course from the following:
Humanities
- Select at least one course from the following:
- CM 120
- COM 250
- ENG 364W (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 293, HIS 368, HIS 381
- HIS 369 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 397 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 405 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 413 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 130 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 373
- WGS 410
- Select at least one course from the following:
Foreign Language Requirement
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and start a Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and start a Master of Science in Climate Science and Solutions at NAU.
- Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.
Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.
- Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.
- Students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies to the Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities program complete the following requirements:
Major Requirements
This major requires 85 units distributed as follows:
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses: 69 units
- Foreign Language: 16 units
Take the following 69 units:
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses (69 units)
The following courses must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course, or 'Pass' in Pass/Fail courses.- COM 150 (3 units)
- EES 115 (3 units)
- ENV 120, ENV 171, ENV 171L, ENV 181, ENV 359 (11 units)
- ENV 226 (3 units)
- Select from the following (1 unit)
- Select from the following which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units):
- ENV 490C which meets the senior capstone requirement. (3 units)
- HUM 175 (3 units)
- PHI 331 (3 units)
- POS 110 (3 units)
- SUS 601, SUS 602, SUS 603, SUS 604 (12 units)
- Select from the following (3 units):
- One additional upper-division ENV course (3 units)
- Select 15 units with at least 6 units at the 300- or 400-level, from the following:
Natural Sciences
- Select at least one from the following:
- BIO 302, BIO 345, BIO 373, BIO 374, BIO 477, BIO 478
- BIO 322 and BIO 322L
- BIO 384 and BIO 384L
- BIO 414 and BIO 414L
- CENE 150
- ENV 110, ENV 373, ENV 375, ENV 440, ENV 440L, ENV 460
- ENV 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 213, FOR 222, FOR 240, FOR 255, FOR 420, FOR 382, FOR 443, FOR 465
- FOR 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 381 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 107, GLG 112, GLG 451
- GLG 259 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 304 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 150
- HS 313
- HS 471 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PHS 101
- Select at least one from the following:
Social Sciences
- Select at least one course from the following:
- AIS 290
- AIS 390 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- AIS 395 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 102
- ANT 351 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 370 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- CENE 440
- CCJ 312
- ECO 324
- ECO 328 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ENV 425
- FOR 230 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 434, FOR 447
- FOR 493 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 148 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 201, GSP 240, GSP 241, GSP 272, GSP 276, GSP 403, GSP 371, GSP 376, GSP 402, GSP 421, GSP 470
- GSP 220 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 236 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 336 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 344, POS 361, POS 455
- POS 357 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PRM 300, PRM 411
- PSY 411
- SOC 301 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 315 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 319, SOC 333, SOC 334, SOC 414, SOC 415
- SUS 101, SUS 220, SUS 230, SUS 320
- Select at least one course from the following:
Humanities
- Select at least one course from the following:
- CM 120COM 250
- ENG 364W (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 293, HIS 368, HIS 381
- HIS 369 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 397 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 405 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 413 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 130 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 373
- WGS 410
- Select at least one course from the following:
- Foreign Language Requirement
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
- Students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies to the Master of Science in Climate Science and Solutions program complete the following requirements:
Major Requirements
This major requires 73 units distributed as follows:- Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses: 57 units
- Foreign Language: 16 units
Take the following 73 units:
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Courses (57 units)
The following courses must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course, or 'Pass' in Pass/Fail courses.- COM 150 (3 units)
- EES 115, EES 595 (6 units)
- ENV 120, ENV 171, ENV 171L, ENV 181, ENV 359 (11 units)
- ENV 226 (3 units)
- Select from the following (1 unit)
- Select from the following which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units):
- ENV 490C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)
- ENV 675 - Fall Rotation 1: Adaptation (3 units)
- ENV 675 - Spring Rotation: Energy (3 units)
- HUM 175 (3 units)
- PHI 331 (3 units)
- POS 110 (3 units)
- Select from the following (3 units):
- Select 9 units with at least 6 units at the 300- or 400-level, from the following:
Natural Sciences
- Select at least one from the following:
- BIO 302, BIO 345, BIO 373, BIO 374, BIO 477, BIO 478
- BIO 322 and BIO 322L
- BIO 384 and BIO 384L
- BIO 414 and BIO 414L
- CENE 150
- ENV 110, ENV 373, ENV 375, ENV 440, ENV 440L, ENV 460
- ENV 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 213, FOR 222, FOR 240, FOR 255, FOR 420, FOR 382, FOR 443, FOR 465
- FOR 250 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 381 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 107, GLG 112, GLG 451
- GLG 259 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GLG 304 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 150
- HS 313
- HS 471 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PHS 101
- Select at least one from the following:
Social Sciences
- Select at least one course from the following:
- AIS 290
- AIS 390 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- AIS 395 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 102
- ANT 351 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ANT 370 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- CENE 440
- CCJ 312
- ECO 324
- ECO 328 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- ENV 425
- FOR 230 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- FOR 434, FOR 447
- FOR 493 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 148 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- GSP 201, GSP 240, GSP 241, GSP 272, GSP 276, GSP 403, GSP 371, GSP 376, GSP 402, GSP 421, GSP 470
- GSP 220 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 236 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 336 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- POS 344, POS 361, POS 455
- POS 357 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- PRM 300, PRM 411
- PSY 411
- SOC 301 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 315 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- SOC 319, SOC 333, SOC 334, SOC 414, SOC 415
- SUS 101, SUS 220, SUS 230, SUS 320
- Select at least one course from the following:
Humanities
- Select at least one course from the following:
- CM 120
- COM 250
- ENG 364W (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 293, HIS 368, HIS 381
- HIS 369 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 397 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 405 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HIS 413 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 130 (Topic selected with your advisor)
- HUM 373
- WGS 410
- Select at least one course from the following:
Foreign Language Requirement
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
General Electives
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
Bachelor/Juris Doctor 3+3 Program
This plan is eligible for NAU’s 3+3 program offered in conjunction with the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. This program allows outstanding students to substitute their final year of undergraduate studies with their first year of law school and earn an undergraduate (BS or BA) and law (JD) degree in six years instead of seven years. Please refer to the Bachelor/Juris Doctor 3+3 Program for more information.
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.