Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability Studies
This four-year Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability Studies teaches how to address environmental and social challenges and prepares students for careers in sustainable development and related fields.
About
The Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability Studies is a four-year undergraduate program in the United States designed for students interested in understanding and solving environmental and social issues. It combines knowledge from various disciplines to prepare graduates for roles that promote sustainable practices in businesses, governments, and communities.
- The degree is aimed at students who want to contribute to environmental protection and social equity.
- It provides a broad understanding of sustainability concepts, including ecology, economics, and social justice.
- Graduates can work in areas such as environmental consulting, policy development, or corporate sustainability management.
- The program encourages critical thinking and practical skills to address real-world challenges.
- It is suitable for those who enjoy interdisciplinary studies and want to make a positive impact on society.
What you study
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics related to sustainability, with courses evolving in complexity over the four years. Early years focus on foundational knowledge, while later years emphasize application and specialization.
- Students study environmental science, economics, and social sciences to understand sustainability from multiple perspectives.
- Courses include climate change, resource management, and policy analysis.
- The program often includes research projects and fieldwork to apply theoretical knowledge.
- Students may engage in case studies and group work to develop problem-solving skills.
- Practical experience is encouraged through internships or community-based projects.
- The curriculum supports development of communication skills to advocate for sustainable solutions.
How to get in
Admission to this bachelor's degree in the US generally requires a high school diploma or equivalent. The process is managed by individual universities and may involve standardized tests and application materials.
- Applicants usually submit high school transcripts and personal statements.
- Some programs may require standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, depending on the institution.
- Interest in environmental or social issues is often valued in the selection process.
- Strong academic performance in sciences and humanities can be advantageous.
- Extracurricular activities related to sustainability may strengthen applications.
- Admission procedures vary by university but generally include evaluation of academic and personal qualities.
Day to day
The academic year typically includes lectures, seminars, and practical work, with opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships or projects. Students manage a balance between coursework and real-world applications.
- The schedule involves weekly classes combined with group discussions and assignments.
- Many programs encourage or require internships in organizations focused on sustainability.
- Students often participate in community projects or research activities.
- Collaborative work helps develop teamwork and communication skills.
- Some universities offer options for study abroad or exchanges to broaden perspectives.
- Time management is important to handle the mix of theoretical and practical components.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates can find opportunities in various sectors focused on sustainable development, though job availability depends on local markets and experience. The degree prepares students for roles that require understanding of environmental and social systems.
- Possible careers include environmental consultant, sustainability coordinator, and policy analyst.
- Employment sectors span government agencies, nonprofits, and private companies.
- The degree supports entry into roles promoting corporate social responsibility.
- Job search may involve internships and networking within sustainability communities.
- Insertion into the workforce is generally facilitated by practical experience gained during studies.
- Continued learning and specialization can enhance career prospects.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After completing this bachelor's degree, students can continue their studies in related master's programs or explore other fields. The interdisciplinary foundation supports various academic paths.
- Graduate studies in environmental science, public policy, or business sustainability are common options.
- Some may choose professional degrees in law or urban planning.
- Changing fields is possible due to the broad skill set developed.
- Further education can deepen expertise and improve employment chances.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Unity CollegeNew Gloucester
- Florida Memorial UniversityMiami Gardens
- University of IowaIowa City
- The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- University of Southern MainePortland
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Aurora UniversityAurora
- University of FloridaGainesville
- SUNY OneontaOneonta
- Wilmington CollegeWilmington
- University of RedlandsRedlands
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Harris–Stowe State UniversitySaint Louis
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- Duke UniversityDurham
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Rhode Island CollegeProvidence
- Radford UniversityRadford
- Ferrum CollegeFerrum
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- University of South FloridaTampa
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis
- Allegheny CollegeMeadville
- Presidio Graduate SchoolSan Francisco
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- City College of New YorkNew York
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- University of ArizonaTucson
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- University of New HampshireDurham
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- New SchoolNew York
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Chatham UniversityPittsburgh
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence
- University of OklahomaNorman
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem
- Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs
- Bellevue UniversityBellevue
- University of Wisconsin–Green BayGreen Bay
- Sewanee: The University of the SouthSewanee
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- Montana State UniversityBozeman
- Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- Embry–Riddle Aeronautical UniversityDaytona Beach
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- University of Wisconsin–StoutMenomonie
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- Slippery Rock UniversitySlippery Rock
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta
- SUNY GeneseoGeneseo
- Furman UniversityGreenville
- Glasgow Caledonian New York CollegeNew York
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- Pratt Institute-MainBrooklyn
- Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- New York UniversityNew York
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- Shippensburg UniversityShippensburg
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- University of Wisconsin–PlattevillePlatteville
- Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton
- Regis UniversityDenver
- Keene State CollegeKeene
- Mesa Community CollegeMesa
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester
- University of Wisconsin–SuperiorSuperior
- University of ChicagoChicago
- Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago
- Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan
- SIT Graduate InstituteBrattleboro
- Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown
- Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn
- Paul Smith's CollegePaul Smiths
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale
- University of Wisconsin–OshkoshOshkosh
- Pensacola State CollegePensacola
- University of New EnglandBiddeford
- Hartwick CollegeOneonta
- Antioch University-Los AngelesCulver City
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead
- Stockton UniversityGalloway
- Northampton Community CollegeBethlehem
- University of DenverDenver
- Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque
- Prescott CollegePrescott
- University of South DakotaVermillion
- Aquinas College - MichiganGrand Rapids
- University of VermontBurlington
- University of LynchburgLynchburg
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls
- Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester
- Claremont Lincoln UniversityClaremont
- Pacific UniversityForest Grove
- Goshen CollegeGoshen
- Western Oregon UniversityMonmouth
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- University of Wisconsin–River FallsRiver Falls
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- St. John Fisher CollegeRochester
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville
- University of Hawaii Maui CollegeKahului
- Xavier UniversityCincinnati
- Franklin Pierce UniversityRindge
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish
- Lenoir–Rhyne UniversityHickory
- Concordia University WisconsinMequon
- Principia CollegeElsah
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- Guilford CollegeGreensboro
- Maryville UniversitySaint Louis
- Chandler–Gilbert Community CollegeChandler
- University of North AlabamaFlorence
- Otterbein UniversityWesterville
- Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu
- Wichita State UniversityWichita
- University of California-DavisDavis
- SUNY DelhiDelhi
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- Creighton UniversityOmaha
- Estrella Mountain Community CollegeAvondale
- Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis
- Middlesex County CollegeEdison
- Phoenix CollegePhoenix
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- Graceland UniversityLamoni
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- University of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireEau Claire
- University of Wisconsin–ParksideKenosha
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee
- Wells CollegeAurora
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Indiana University South BendSouth Bend
- Kean UniversityUnion
- Everglades UniversityBoca Raton
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community CollegeCloquet
- Southern Oregon UniversityAshland
- Monroe Community CollegeRochester
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande
- Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre
- Edgewood CollegeMadison
- Maharishi International UniversityFairfield
- St. Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa
- Long Island UniversityBrookville
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia
- Pepperdine UniversityMalibu
- Indiana University SoutheastNew Albany
- Pitzer CollegeClaremont
- Taylor UniversityUpland
Frequently asked questions
What kind of background is needed to apply?
Applicants should have completed high school with a good academic record. Interest or experience in environmental or social topics is helpful but not always mandatory.
Are internships part of the program?
Many programs encourage or require internships to give students practical experience in sustainability-related fields.
Can I study this degree part-time or online?
Some universities offer flexible formats, but availability depends on the institution. It's best to check specific university options.
What skills will I gain during the degree?
Students develop critical thinking, research abilities, communication, and problem-solving skills focused on sustainability challenges.
Is this degree recognized internationally?
As a US bachelor's degree, it is generally recognized internationally, but recognition can vary by country and institution.
What are common career paths after graduation?
Graduates often work in environmental consulting, policy development, corporate sustainability, or nonprofit sectors.
Can I continue my studies after this degree?
Yes, many graduates pursue master's degrees in related fields or professional studies to specialize further.
Is the program very selective?
Admission can be selective depending on the university, with evaluation of academic records and motivation.

























