Environmental and Sustainability Studies Northern Arizona University

Overview

The Environmental and Sustainability Studies programme at Northern Arizona University provides a robust interdisciplinary foundation for students passionate about ecological health and social responsibility. By integrating the humanities with social and natural sciences, the curriculum prepares graduates to implement sustainable solutions in a rapidly changing world.

This degree focuses on how biological and physical processes maintain life while examining the human impact on the natural environment. Students gain a critical appreciation of the economic, political, and ethical forces that shape modern environmental issues, ensuring they are ready for roles in government and community action.

The curriculum emphasises an issue-based approach, allowing learners to tackle specific problems through collaborative research and laboratory work.

Why Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Northern Arizona University?

Northern Arizona University offers a distinctive learning environment through its School of Earth and Sustainability, located in the unique landscape of Flagstaff. The institution is recognised for its commitment to sustainability and its mission to leave the world better than it was found through innovation and discovery.

Students benefit from expert faculty and a community-focused approach that elevates people across Arizona and beyond. The programme features hands-on learning opportunities, including optional fieldwork and research projects, which allow students to apply qualitative and quantitative methods to real-world environmental scenarios.

The university also provides unique pathways, such as an accelerated undergraduate to graduate plan and a 3+3 partnership with the James E. Rogers College of Law. These options allow high-achieving students to fast-track their professional careers in environmental science or law within a supportive academic setting.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 29568 per year
• National fee: USD 29568 per year
• Local fee: USD 11352 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Environmental and Sustainability Studies
• Social Systems
• Environmental Humanities
• Critical Writing
• Senior Capstone
• Environmental Ethics
• American Politics
• Environmental Policy
• Statistics
• General Chemistry
• Biology

Natural Sciences

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Management
• Forestry
• Geology
• Physical Geography

Social Sciences

• Applied Indigenous Studies
• Anthropology
• Environmental Economics
• Human Geography
• Environmental Justice
• Sustainable Communities

Humanities

• Environmental Communication
• Environmental History
• Women and Gender Studies

Careers with Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Graduates of this programme are prepared for diverse professional opportunities within non-profit organisations, government agencies, and community-action groups. The interdisciplinary training supports careers in resource management, environmental policy, and sustainability consultancy.

The degree also serves as a strong foundation for further academic pursuit, including master's programmes or law school. By focusing on cross-cultural communication and rigorous research, students emerge as competitive candidates for roles that address the science-policy interface and global environmental legislation.