Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Acquire the skills and techniques that will enable you to analyze, create and implement sustainable environmental policies in a holistic manner allowing for creative problem solving at the community, state and federal levels.

This major is designed to provide the background necessary for an environmental policy professional today. It combines an overview of the tenets required in creating sustainable environmental policy with geographical techniques, with an emphasis on environmental advocacy.

Graduates will be prepared to successfully obtain positions with consulting firms, government agencies, private corporations, and non-profit organizations. They will be prepared to work as policy analysts, land protection specialists, town wetland administrators, and environmental educators among other professions. They will also be prepared to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Studies, Resource Management, Environmental Planning, Environmental and Land-Use Law, and Environmental Education.

Graduates who choose not to pursue careers in Environmental Studies and Sustainability will be well prepared for any career that requires a strong policy background emphasizing critical thinking, integration of complex information, spatial interpretation skills, effective communication and problem resolution skills.

The General Education Domain III-C (Global Competency, Ethical Reasoning and/or Human Diversity) is satisfied through the completion of the Environmental Studies and Sustainability major. See the full major curriculum.

Spotlight on Environmental Studies

Alumni Spotlight
Environmental Studies major Stephen Donnelly
Stephen Donnelly '19

Environmental Studies and Sustainability

"Professor Hakansson opened my eyes to the law side of the environmental field, as well as the wildlife side, since he has a background as an animal behaviorist. All the professors are experienced professionals with unique insight into various environmental career paths. Professor Otto allowed me to understand a different viewpoint as a planner, while Professor Bentley had a different view as a geographer."

Alumni Spotlight
Environmental Studies Major Lauren Steele
Lauren Steele '19

Environmental Studies and Sustainability

"I have always been a passionate advocate for environmental protection and conservation. At Framingham State, I learned how to take that passion and transform it into concrete plans and action steps to make a difference in my community. The Environmental Studies major was a perfect fit for me because in addition to learning about the environment, I learned how to create new policies, present my ideas at public meetings, and effectively negotiate with stakeholders."

Facility Spotlight
The Warren Center at sunset
Warren Conference Center & Inn

Ashland, MA

The 2015 purchase of the Warren Conference Center will allow for much needed field expansion of Framingham State's environmental programs. Besides the 70-acre setting of the center itself, it is surrounded by Warren Woods, Ashland State Park, Massachusetts Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as private property protected by conservation restrictions, totaling close to 1,600 acres of relatively contiguous conservation land.