Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS


At a Glance: program details

  • Location: or
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
  • Math Intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 170 - Precalculus

Required Courses (Major Map)

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool


Explore the foremost issues currently confronting scientists in ecological well-being, climate dynamics and natural resources, and develop your capacity to improve the human condition, both present and future. Develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills as you become a master learner and change-maker.

Program Description

The BS program in Earth and environmental sciences, both in-person and online, provides broad training in the physical sciences, especially process-oriented geosciences that focus on Earth's life-sustaining surface environment. This training establishes a foundational understanding of the evolution of the Earth system with an emphasis on the surface environment, oceans and climate, and implications for sustainable human societies, empowering graduates to help Arizona and the global community address some of the most pressing challenges of the day in environmental health, climate change and natural resources.

Elective tracks allow students to focus their studies on climate and environmental change, environmental policy, sustainability, Earth resources, environmental management or environmental education.

GI Bill® benefits

This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.




Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman Transfer International Readmission


Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.


Change of Major Requirements

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

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


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Career Outlook

Graduates are prepared to attend graduate school in the natural and environmental sciences, education, environmental journalism, environmental law, public policy and environmental management.

They are also well prepared for ¿green¿ professional careers in fields such as education, environmental reporting, public planning, environmental consulting, natural resource management, and more technical positions as environmental scientists in a variety of sub-disciplines. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and corroborated by data reported by the Occupational Information Network, the many career opportunities in growth areas available to graduates of this program include:

  • conservation scientist or natural resource manager (7% growth, $64k)
  • environmental science educator (secondary education: 8% growth, $63k median salary).
  • environmental science technician (11% growth, $47k)
  • environmental scientist (8% growth, $73k median salary)
  • geological and hydrologic technician (8% growth, $73k)
  • geoscientist (7% growth, $93k)
  • hydrologist (6% growth, $84k)
  • natural science manager (9% growth, $51k)

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Climate Change Policy Analysts


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Conservation Scientists


  • Growth: 4.1%
  • Median Salary*: 64460

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Restoration Planners


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 83040

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health


  • Growth: 5.8%
  • Median Salary*: 48380
  Bright Outlook

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers


  • Growth: 5.1%
  • Median Salary*: 87480
  Bright Outlook

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 3.6%
  • Median Salary*: 97770

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists


  • Growth: 2.1%
  • Median Salary*: 107970

Water Resource Specialists


  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).



Global Opportunities

Global Experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available, Earth and environmental sciences students are able to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.