Environment & Sustainability

The environment & sustainability program (ENSP) helps you become an innovative change maker who carries a vision of how to resolve our contemporary environmental problems through science, policy and imagination. This program reaches across the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. It is one of the most integrative environmental programs in the nation. Since ENSP is a secondary major, the ENSP degree offered (B.A. or B.S.) is determined by the primary major chosen before or at the same time as you declare ENSP. You will also focus your studies through one of three tracks: environmental science, environmental policy or environmental humanities.

Paths of Study

Video Highlight

What Makes Us Different

Three tracks

Choose from Environmental Science, Environmental Policy and Environmental Humanities.
Guaranteed research opportunities for all majors

Research experience makes students more competitive by developing the ability to think critically and problem solve.
Keck Environmental Lab

Receive instructional and research support at W&M and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS).
Student Activities

Join the Student Environmental Action Coalition, Fermentation Club, NetImpact and the Environmental Law and Policy Review.

Rankings

^# 3

Best Colleges for Environmental Science in Virginia

Niche 2025
^Top 30

Best Colleges for Public Policy in America

Niche 2025
^# 14

Best Science Lab Facilities

The Princeton Review 2025

Applied Learning

Courses

Study Introduction to Environment & Sustainability (ENSP 101), Science Communication (ENSP 440) and Watershed Dynamics (ENSP 341).*
Research

Take part in funded summer research and intern at local agencies including Friends of Powhatan Creek, Chesapeake Bay Program and the Environment Planning Committee of James City County.
Study Abroad

Meet with an advisor to determine which overseas program would be the best fit — from Costa Rica to Kenya to Australia.

Hear from a Student

"The opportunity to experience lab work and execute my own project feels just as necessary as my coursework and satisfies my need for hands-on activities during my college career." — Breegan O'Hearn '25, a biology and environment & sustainability double major from San Diego, California. O'Hearn is investigating plastic toxicity.

Outcomes

William & Mary has been successful in placing graduates in high-ranking environmental graduate schools and setting them up with strong career trajectories in environmental fields. Graduating students have also moved directly into positions with the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Geological Survey, National Park Service, Global Council for Science and the Environment, AmeriCorps and various environmental non-profits and consultancy companies including the Cadmus Group, Deloitte and FTI Consulting.

Talk to Us

Want to learn more? Our current students and faculty want to connect with you.