Environmental Studies, B.A.

Environmental studies at Saint Louis University focuses on relationships between the natural environment and social, economic, political, legal and humanistic aspects of society.

As global population and consumption rise, understanding the interplay between environmental and social systems has become an increasingly important component of decision-making and planning. SLU's B.A. in Environmental Studies program helps prepare students for careers that emphasize a dual awareness of scientific and social perspectives and their relationship to the natural environment.

Curriculum Overview

The environmental studies curriculum at Saint Louis University is built upon a breadth-plus-depth model. All students entering the environmental studies program are required to complete a core set of preparatory science and skill-development courses that provide a broad introduction to the environmental sciences. Students then choose a specialized concentration that provides more advanced instruction in their areas of interest to help prepare them for careers after graduation. The program has been developed through collaboration with many other departments on campus, and it provides considerable flexibility in course selection within the tracks. For most students, the program fuses an understanding of environmental science with the approximate equivalent of a self-designed minor in their specific area of interest.

Environmental studies students take a minimum of 38 credits of math and science core classes. Students then choose from one of the following concentrations:

• Advocacy and discourse
• Economics, politics and public policy
• Natural sciences
• Philosophy, religion and ethics
• Society and the environment through space and time 

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Weekend field trips, canoe trips and social events are scheduled throughout the year. One perk associated with this major is the opportunity to join other faculty and students on annual, weeklong field trips across the country. Visit environmentally important sites and get to know the faculty, other students and alumni who join the trips.

Undergraduate students in the environmental studies program have the option to pursue internship opportunities through the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geospatial Science or in collaboration with other departments on campus. Students also have the option to participate in a capstone project designed to provide a real-world perspective as part of their undergraduate training.

Careers

The environmental studies program prepares students for careers in business, law, government or wherever knowledge of scientific and social perspectives on the environment is important. Students also have the opportunity to prepare for more advanced degrees in a wide range of fields, including law, economics and public policy.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition 

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will know the founding principles in their field of study, as well as the facts and content appropriate to the field.
2. Graduates will be able to use their knowledge to reason about issues in their discipline.
3. Graduates will be able to solve quantitative problems in their discipline.

Students in the bachelor's environmental studies program must complete a minimum total of 65 credits for the major.

*

Students who choose to select two major concentrations may apply a maximum of 12 credits from an individual department towards completion of both concentrations. One Second Tier course may be applied simultaneously towards the completion requirements of both major concentrations.

Non-Course Requirements

All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program. 

Continuation Standards

Students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in their major courses (EAS) and required related credits (biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer sciences, physics, etc.) by the conclusion of their freshman year. Students that fall below a 2.0 GPA will be placed on probation. If a student fails to obtain at least a 2.0 GPA in their major courses and required related credits by the conclusion of their sophomore year they will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Advocacy and Discourse Concentration

Economics, Politics and Public Policy Concentration

¹

Required when Economics, Politics, and Public Policy is the primary concentration.

Natural Sciences Concentration

²

Note that many upper-division science courses have BIOL 1240 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution (3 cr) and BIOL 1260 General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter (3 cr), CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr) and CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr), and/or MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) as pre-requisites. 

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Concentration

¹

Required when Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics is the primary concentration.

Society and the Environment through Space and Time Concentration

¹

Required when Society and the Environment through Space and Time is the primary concentration. 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Students can complete all or part of their B.A. in Environmental Studies at SLU’s campus in Madrid. 

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