B.A. Geography, Sustainability Studies

Sustainability Studies provides students with new knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking needed to promote economic and social well-being while protecting the integrity of earth’s living systems. Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary field, engaging sustainable development, environmental studies, public and environmental policy, city and regional planning, economics, social well-being, and global and local understanding. As a bridge discipline, Geography plays a particularly valuable role in teaching sustainability. The discipline maintains within its purview expertise related to the environmental, economic, and global human condition. Spatial tools and skills enhance advanced issue analysis. The program is well-balanced between the integral social, policy, environmental, global, economic, and communication components of sustainability.

Careers for students pursuing this field are diverse and include application of policy, planning, science, and advocacy skills at city, state, federal and international agencies. Non-governmental organizations and private industry are other significant employers. The Geography sustainability studies option may also serve as a foundation for careers in corporate social responsibility/sustainability, education, research, sustainable consultancy, and green building.