In the Environmental Studies Program, you will explore the complex interactions between humans and nature by experiencing a broad knowledge base and insight into the complexity of issues surrounding environmental and sustainability movements.
Environmental Studies is typically viewed within two general disciplinary frameworks: the natural sciences consider the world of nature, while the social sciences consider the interactions between humans and the rest of nature.
At Castleton University, the two aspects are divided between the Department of History, Geography, Economics, and Politics, which focuses on the human side of the equation, and the Natural Sciences Department, which focuses on the environmental side.
The Department of History, Geography, Economics, and Politics is an innovative and interdisciplinary department that offers several liberal arts programs that prepare students to pursue meaningful careers and to act knowledgeably and effectively in the world, including a major-by-contract in Environmental Studies.
Majors in Environmental Studies must initiate a written Social Science Major contract with the coordinator of Environmental Studies, which details course requirements. This should be done at the end of the student’s sophomore year.
Castleton provides internship opportunities for Environmental Studies majors to gain real-world experience in the field. Recent internship examples include:
Graduates of Castleton’s Environmental Studies Program are prepared to step into careers as environmental consultants and educators, sustainability specialists, policy analysts, and more.
Highly-motivated Environmental Studies majors can also take advantage of our 3+2 program with Vermont Law School, which allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in just three years at Castleton and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in just two years at Vermont Law School.