Majoring in Environmental Science & Policy

To balance between breadth and depth of training, the Environmental Science and Policy major is a secondary major. You will declare a primary major in another subject field either before or at the same time as you declare your ENSP major.

We offer two tracks within the major: the Environmental Science (B.S.) track or the Environmental Policy (B.A.) track. The two tracks are nearly identical. The Science track requires one more course in a natural science than does Policy. The Policy track requires one more course in a social science than does Science.

You can structure your ENSP major so that it complements almost any primary major. Students studying a natural science typically choose the Science track. Students focusing on social sciences usually choose Policy.

You will develop a course of study that will connect the depth of understanding you gain from your primary major with the breadth of your ENSP major. Your ENSP major advisor will help you choose courses that provide these connections and support your long-term career goals.

For both the B.A. and B.S. non-classroom, hands-on experiences are a requirement. These capstone experiences could be internships, research projects, study abroad, or off-campus programs as a field camp or NSF REU program.

Alumni Advice

“If you're going the science route and opportunities for field work come up, TAKE THEM. If you don't think you have time for it, make time for it. That experience is valuable, and you won't always have the chance later.”

“Think creatively about what you want to do. Talk with policy students about where they’re looking for careers, if you’re a science major, and vice versa. Grad school is not the only option!"

“Don’t be afraid to take seasonal jobs and build field experience after graduation; there will be plenty of time later in your career to sit behind desks."

“For double-majors also majoring in another science - don't underestimate the value of learning about policy or sustainability-related topics to your future endeavors”

“Think about how you can combine your ENSP degree with another field into a career (e.g., engineering, law, materials science, public health)”

“Do undergraduate research as many summers as you can afford! Go to the Charles Center and make friends with the staff, get your summer research funded!”

“Get involved in environmental work outside the classroom - whether through research, activism, or campus policy you'll learn so much that can translate to any future career”