Prepare for careers dedicated to solving environmental challenges and building a sustainable, just, and climate-resilient future.
After nearly two decades of offering an Environmental Studies minor, the College of Liberal Arts now offers the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. Students evaluate vital environmental issues of today and learn how to become part of the range of innovative responses to current and future environmental challenges.
Through coursework in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, students build a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, social, and cultural dimensions of humanity's relationship to the environment. They gain knowledge of:
Beyond the classroom, our students gain hands-on experience through internships and may also earn credits through fieldwork and study abroad.
B.A. in Environmental Studies
120
Major
Minor
Here are some of the classes you may take while earning your Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. See all Environmental Studies courses.
UG
3 credits
Internship with a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government agency that includes a significant environmental component. Written analysis of internship experience and related academic paper required. May be repeated once for credit. A maximum of 6 hours may be used toward the environmental studies minor.
UG
3 credits
This interdisciplinary humanities course is designed to introduce students to thinking about the influence of the environment on human history and culture. Course content may include key concepts in environmental history, classics of environmental literature, theories of environmental philosophy and ethics, and ideas about the environment embedded in culture, religion, and the arts. Personal reflection as well as analysis of environmental questions will be encouraged. Students who have already taken Envs 301 may not enroll in Envs 101.
UG
4 credits
In this integrated lecture and laboratory course, students will explorethe scientific process and its application to the study of the environment,including principles of evolution, the origin and diversity of life, ecologicalrelationships in the natural world, and the impact of humans on theenvironment. Throughout the semester, students will experience biology byengaging with peers in a technology-enhanced active learning classroom. Thework of the course provides students the opportunity to developcritical-thinking skills they can apply to real-world problemsrelated to the environment. This course is intended for non-sciencemajors and applies to the science requirement of the core curriculum.The course will not count for credit if Bisc 104 and 105 or Bisc 162 and163 are counted.
UG
3 credits
This course focuses on the complex relationships between people and the environment from a social science perspective. It provides an introduction to the ways in which humans interact with, depend on, and shape their environments by looking at current environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and energy transitions.
According to national surveys, employers are more likely to hire students who have:
These experiences are the core of the liberal arts skills of thinking, communicating, interpersonal skills, and understanding the world around us. Showcase and enhance these skills in an internship opportunity for that first step into the professional world.
Environmental Studies students combine coursework with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Environmental studies students have had internship experiences with a broad range of organizations, including UM Office of Sustainability, Gulf Restoration Network, The Nature Conservancy, Citizens Climate Lobby, The Black Earth Institute, Energy and Natural Resources Division of the MS Development Authority, Delta Wind Birds, Homeplace Pastures Farm, Farmstead Florals, NIHT, Inc. (carbon credit sales), Mississippi Farm to School Network, and Oxford Community Market.
The Internship in Environmental Studies (ENVS 385) provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable pre-professional training through hands-on experience in environment-related work outside of the traditional classroom.
ENVS 385 is a Z-graded, three-credit-hour course that may be repeated with approval. Envs majors are required to complete at least one internship during their studies. Envs minors are encouraged but not required to complete an internship for elective credit (however internship credit will not count toward a specific requirement in the humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences).
The purpose of ENVS 385 is to integrate academic learning with the practical experience that students gain during an internship. The internship itself constitutes the practical component of the course; reflection upon the experience and the synthesis of theory and practice take place during the academic phase, in ENVS 385. Academic credit is granted for completing a series of academic assignments that are based on the internship experience.
You and the outfit you’re interning for will fill out the internship agreement form below and submit it to Envs for approval prior to the start of the internship. All internships must be pre-approved by Envs before the start of the internship; any arrangement not pre-approved will not be eligible for credit.
Your supervisor at the interning site must complete the Final Intern Evaluation Form below. A “unsatisfactory” assessment constitutes grounds to deny eligibility for enrollment in or credit for ENVS 385.
There’s never been a better time to get involved as a student on campus with sustainability initiatives. Whether you are a freshman, a senior, or graduate student, there are opportunities for you.
"The Environmental Studies program at UM prepares students to become innovators and leaders in an effort to meet environmental challenges head-on. We believe it’s crucial to train students for careers that help create sustainable, just, and climate-resilient communities in Mississippi and beyond. As the shift to sustainability continues to become a major driver of economic growth, technological innovation, and social policy, we aim to ensure that University of Mississippi students are prepared to succeed in the new climate economy."
Co-Directors of the Environmental Studies Program
Here is a sample of positions held by alumni of the Environmental Studies minor.
| Law, Policy, and Government | Environmental Research |
|---|---|
| Legislative Policy Fellow, US Senate | Researcher, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology |
| Environmental Policy Consultant, US House of Representatives | Researcher, Savannah River National Lab |
| Environmental Planner, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission | Researcher, Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment |
| Assistant City Planner, City of Starkville | Wildlife Biologist, MS Dept of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks |
| Senior Attorney, FL Dept of Environmental Protection | Conservationist, MS Museum of Natural Science |
| Energy Transactional and Regulatory Attorney, Balch & Bingham LLP | |
| Environmental Education and Advocacy | Private Sector Work |
| Director, Cedar Crest Environmental Education Center | Investor Relations, GRC SinoGreen Fund |
| Environmental Educator, South Carolina Dept of Natural Resources | Environmental Sustainability Program Manager, Cox Enterprises, Inc |
| Environmental Organizer, Green Corps | Water Resources Engineer, Gresham Smith |
| Program Coordinator, Working Landscapes | Program Director, Yellow Dog Flyfishing |
| Horticulturist, AquaTerra Designs, Inc | |
Terrius Harris (B.A. French, B.B.A. General Business, B.G.S. General Studies '19) was one of four US students as Planet Forward's Senior Correspondent at the 2018 UN-FAO Committee on World Food Security in Italy. He earned a M.A. in Indigenous People’s Law from Oklahoma and a M.A. in Public Policy, Energy, and Environmental Policy from Chicago. Harris is an Obama Scholar chosen for his work empowering Indigenous-led, community-based, socio-economic development and environmental conservation.
Shelley Clark (B.A. International Studies and French '11) interned with the Gulf Restoration Network. She earned her law degree from Pace, a top law school for environmental law, and a dual-degree M.A. of Environmental Management from Yale. While at Pace, she interned at the NY Dept of Environmental Conservation where she assisted with enforcement against violations of conservation law in tidal wetland areas. Clark is now an Associate Attorney with Epstein Holtzapple Christo LLP in California.
Neal McMillin (B.A. in Economics and Southern Studies '14) studied alternative energy sources in Scotland and enrolled in a field trip-based biology course on the lower Mississippi River. He earned a M.A. in Marine Affairs from Washington then a policy fellowship from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin with MS Senator Roger Wicker's office. McMillin is the Dir. of Federal Affairs for Louisiana's Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources, where he contributes to energy and coastal policy.
Sara Douglass Lynch (B.A. Biology '14) was active with Campus for Clean Energy and MS Alumni and Students for Sustainability (MASS), a statewide network for sustainable living. After graduation, she was a Sustainability Fellow at UM where she helped UM achieve bronze level Bicycle Friendly University. She earned graduate degrees in City and Regional Planning and in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and is now a Transportation Planner/Engineer at Arcadis.
Alex Borst (B.A. International Studies '17) interned with the MS Sustainable Agriculture Network. Through an apprenticeship found on GoodFoodJobs, he discovered his career path with a rural development nonprofit focused on food supply chains in North Carolina. He continued with Happy Dirt to work on projects including a forest trail for children, taste tests of local food in schools, surveying local growers, and creating a documentary of the food chain. Borst is now a Purchasing Manager with Happy Dirt.
Kendall McDonald (B.A. in Public Policy Leadership '15) earned the national Udall award for her dedication to environmental issues. She worked with the UM Office of Sustainability as a student where she championed change agent initiatives such as Eco Reps and the Green Student Intern Program. She joined that office after graduation as a Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, Project Manager, then Associate Director. McDonald is the Development Manager of Memphis Parks for the City of Memphis.
College of Liberal Arts students earning the B.A. degree complete a minor field of study (or double major.) Combine your study of the environment with many other subjects based on your interests and career goals. Here are a few to consider.
Use scientific methods to understand and predict natural phenomena in the world around us.
Learn how to apply science and math to design, construct, operate and maintain solutions to technical problems
Learn to think critically, conduct research, and craft clear, compelling arguments across various media. Majors study literature and creative writing with acclaimed faculty in a town celebrated for its literary culture.
Cross disciplines. Connect Ideas. Create Insight.
Explore the history, cultures, politics, and economies of the world. Study abroad and develop fluency in one of eight languages.
Understanding political actors and institutions, both domestic and international.
Understand what motivates people and why people behave the way that they do.
Examine the dynamics of social interaction and social problems.
Strong writers and visual storytellers with a sense of adventure will find a home in our distinguished Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program with its reputation for producing award-winning talent.
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
CLA Coordinator of Student Recruitment
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?
