Desire to Protect Inspires Environmental Majors

From policy development to scientific testing and research, Stonehill’s Environmental Sciences & Studies Department helps students find a way to make a difference.

Program overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies focuses on the social sciences and humanities. Thirteen courses are required, including five courses in natural sciences and five courses in the social sciences/humanities. Course requirements also include completion of a senior capstone and participation in a senior seminar in spring of the senior year.

Students have the opportunity to tailor their degree to suit their career and personal goals through course selection, internships, direct studies and research with faculty members.

Related Programs

The B.S. in Environmental Science is a degree designed to prepare students for entry-level work as environmental scientists and graduate programs in environmental science or environmental management. Twenty courses are required: sixteen in natural science/mathematics (including the senior capstone), three in the humanities/social sciences, and a senior seminar taken concurrently with the senior capstone.

The Environmental Sciences & Studies minor provides introductory knowledge in the environmental field, as well as the opportunity to connect the program to one’s major. The minor requires six courses.

Stonehill offers an Engineering program in collaboration with The University of Notre Dame.

Students in the 3+2 Engineering Program can receive a B.S. in Environmental Science from Stonehill College and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering or Environmental Earth Sciences from the University of Notre Dame.

Competitive Advantages

  •     Close Collaboration with the Farm at Stonehill
  •     Sense of Community
  •     Annual Environmental Career Night Dinners
  •     Ability to Double Major with Departments Across the College

Double major opportunites

Double-majoring provides graduates with a competitive advantage and signals to prospective employees that you have specialize skills.

Common pairings with Environmental Studies include:

  • Economics
  • Gender Studies
  • English
  • Visual Arts & Culture
  • History
  • Education
  • Political Science
  • Management
  • Communication
  • Criminology
  • Philosophy

I’ve always tried to live a life of service. Being part of something bigger than myself and helping others who are less fortunate is very important to me.

Campus Resources

The Farm at Stonehill

The Farm serves as a living classroom to enrich environmental science and studies students’ academic and service endeavors—providing them with a unique opportunity to actively engage in social justice issues pertaining to food in neighboring communities

Shields Science Center

The Shields Science Center is a $34 million, 89,000-square-footstate-of-the-art science center where students use equipment normally available only to graduate students.

Environmental Awareness Groups

Environmental Stewardship Council

Made up of representatives from across campus including students and faculty, ESC is charged with developing, recommending and maintaining a series of sustainability goals and improving the effort to reduce Stonehill’s carbon footprint.

Students for Environmental Action

SEA promotes the awareness of environmental issues that affect both the Stonehill Community and the global environment. Recent projects include a dorm composting pilot program, recycling renovation program and a campaign to create a plastics-free campus.

Career Outcomes

Stonehill’s graduates go on to work at a range of notable organizations. Continue exploring where our graduates work. 

Recent Accolades

Organizations involved in assessing U.S. colleges and universities continually cite Stonehill as being among the best in the nation when it comes to value, outcomes and a commitment to making the world a better place. See full list of accolades.

Sample Courses

Environmental Racism Toward Environmental Justice

ENV 321
Environmental racism, stemming from discriminatory policies and regulations, is a form of systemic racism where communities of color are disproportionately burdened with hazardous materials generated by society. This course explores structural racism, the environment and how communities of color struggle with hazardous living conditions. We’ll investigate how different communities experience the environment and its benefits, look toward a future that centers environmental justice, and consider how to move our society in a more equitable direction.

Environmental Ethics

ENV 270
This course considers traditional ethics and contemporary, radical approaches to discern the "good" in human-nature relations. Students engage in collaborative projects that engage the campus in changing behavior to better meet the relevant ethical good.

Environmental Policy and Politics

POL 255
Global climate change, mass extinctions, polluted waterways, hazardous waste dumps, oil spills, and nuclear meltdowns. Concerns about the health and integrity of the environment have garnered much attention since the 1960s. This course examines the nature and extent of public policy-making that addresses these and other environmental issues.

Environmental Writing

ENV 202
This course includes a variety of forms of environmental writing including nature writing and environmental journalism. We will read and write in the genre constantly. We will explore the environments in and around Stonehill. Each student’s best writing will be published in a collection at the end of the semester.

Partnerships & Special Programs

Stonehill College has developed academic affiliations with colleges and universities that enable our students to augment the degree they earn at Stonehill with graduate and undergraduate degrees that further enhance their opportunities.

Save Money: Earn Two Degrees in as Little as Four Years

The Skyhawk Accelerated Dual Degree allows Stonehill students to earn a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Stonehill College in as little as four years. Eligible students receive early and expedited admission to their graduate program of interest and can begin working toward a master's degree in education, data analytics or marketing. Stonehill students also receive 20% off for remaining graduate tuition through the Skyhawk Rate.

Contact us with any questions.

Kristin C. Burkholder

Kristin C. Burkholder

Chair of Environmental Sciences & Studies, Associate Professor of Environmental Science
Env. Sciences & Studies