BA Earth and Environmental Studies

The BA program in earth and environmental studies provides a foundational understanding of the evolution of the earth system with an emphasis on the planetary context for sustainable human societies.

The degree program includes broad training in the physical sciences, especially process-oriented geosciences that focus on Earth's life-sustaining surface environment. Advanced courses focus on topics including:

• climate change
• earth's water, energy and material resources
• impact of land-use change on human civilization
• physical, chemical and biological process interactions that define Earth's evolution

This is designed as a liberal arts program with an emphasis on basic scientific literacy, not as a preparatory degree program for graduate study in the natural sciences. However, successful earth and environmental studies graduates are well prepared for green energy career opportunities such as:

• education
• environmental reporting
• natural resource management
• public planning
• sustainability

Students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in earth and environmental studies may not pursue a concurrent degree with the BS in earth and space exploration, the BS in earth and space exploration (astrophysics), the BS in earth and space exploration (astrobiology and biogeosciences), the BS in earth and space exploration (exploration systems design), or the BS in earth and space exploration (geological sciences) due to the high level of overlap in curriculum. Students should speak with their academic advisor for any further questions.

General University Admission Requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman | Transfer | International | Readmission

Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu/request for information about how to change a major to this program.

With a breadth of knowledge and experience and the acquired skills to integrate various domains of knowledge, graduates of the earth and environmental studies program are prepared for a variety of careers that help find solutions to tomorrow's environmental and sustainability challenges. Chief among these are careers in the following settings:

• consultancy
• education
• governmental agencies
• industry
• museums
• nongovernmental organizations
• nonprofit organizations
• publishing
• regulatory agencies
• utilities

Recent environmental awareness in business and government has also resulted in new employment opportunities (e.g., environmental coordinators, directors and managers). Graduates are also well prepared for admission to strong professional schools in fields outside the natural sciences.