Designed to be intentionally integrated and completed alongside any major at Quinnipiac, the BA in Environmental Studies (Co-Major) gives you the experience and expertise to address the effects of climate change, water pollution, waste disposal and other prominent environmental challenges in a range of professional fields.
In the Environmental Studies Co-Major (BA) program, you’ll build a strong foundation in environmental science, ethics, statistics, sustainable development, geography and culture while exploring environmental challenges from multiple disciplinary perspectives. If you are passionate about a specialized field such as environmental communications, business sustainability, environmental public health, biostatistics, environmental law or environmental engineering, the integration of your primary major with the environmental studies co-major will allow you to pursue that passion.
Declaring this co-major as part of your program designates you with a double degree, giving you the benefit of graduating with two bachelor’s degrees—and a high level of professional versatility. Whatever your primary major may be, adding a broad, complementary background in environmental studies uniquely qualifies you for positions with federal, state and local environmental agencies, political action groups, NGOs, nonprofits, corporations, research organizations and product developers.
Experiential learning opportunities available in regional, national, and international settings enable you to integrate and apply what you’ve learned outside of the classroom. These include study abroad, faculty-led international courses, and field research in environmental biology, chemistry, or engineering. Others are made available through university partnerships and special programs, and include participation in an environmental policy fellowship in Washington, D.C., and work with local nonprofits or governmental agencies.
The independent major program gave Cacciariella the freedom to tailor her learning to her interests. By adding a second major in English in addition to minors in political science and sociology, she was able to understand problems of environmental inequity with a multidisciplinary lens. She credits her favorite course, The Nature Essay, with improving her ability to communicate about issues that matter most to her.
“That course really helped me find my voice and break me out of my shell,” Ciacciarella recalled.
As a food security intern at the Albert Schweitzer Institute, Ciacciarella had many opportunities to address food insecurity in the local community. She is most proud of her work in Quinnipiac’s Food Recovery Program, in which she helped distribute excess food from the university to Hamden residents through Haven’s Harvest, a local food bank, in 2019.
In the fall of 2021, Ciacciarella entered graduate school at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. She plans to become a professor and research community-led sustainable solutions to food insecurity while shaping future leaders who share her passion for environmental justice.
“I am confident and excited to begin my next chapter in graduate school, and I know that Quinnipiac has prepared me for a bright future,” she said.
Our BA in Environmental Studies (Co-Major) positions you for a growing number of specialized and in-demand opportunities. Graduates gain valuable skills suited for a wide array of potential careers, including:
Conservation
Environmental Consulting
Natural Resources Management
Sustainable Business Development
Many of our graduates also choose to continue their education in post-secondary programs. Students have gone on to earn advanced degrees in data analytics, business administration, law and education.
With an abundance of career-focused information and resources, the career advisers within the College of Arts and Sciences support students as they expand their professional networks and attract the attention of prestigious employers.
We envision a Quinnipiac that is a model for sustainability in southern New England, building its practices and leveraging its campuses to promote a healthy regional ecosystem, and to engage in practices that equip current and future students, faculty and staff to embody sustainable practices in their personal and professional lives, equipping them to thrive in a world increasingly influenced and affected by environmental disruption.
The Albert Schweitzer Institute conducts programs that link education, ethics and voluntarism for the sake of creating a more peaceful and sustainable world. A dynamic presence at Quinnipiac, the institute has drawn notable humanitarians both to campus and to its board, and gives students of all majors opportunities to make a positive impact on local and global communities.
The Department of Homeland Security has determined that this program meets the requirements for STEM designation.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) graduates are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be over 1.12 million jobs in STEM occupations in the next 10 years. The Department of Defense also estimates that more than 80% of jobs will require STEM skills over the next decade.
In addition, STEM-designated programs allow certain international graduates to remain and work in the United States for an additional 24 months after graduation on top of the standard Optional Practical Training period (up to 12 months) in order to receive additional training through their work experience.
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.
