Environmental Studies

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Stay in the Loop

Our 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures you’ll know your professors and peers on a first-name basis and get the personalized attention you need to succeed.

We prioritize going beyond the classroom and gaining real-world experiences in your field to jumpstart your career and life after college.

The Western Environmental Studies Experience

Make Connections

We offer unmatched industry connections, including the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Center for Public Lands, and more.

Living Laboratory

Western’s campus is surrounded by more than two million acres of public land, providing an ideal environment for various environmental research activities.

Impactful Interships

Western helps place you in internship positions with leading employers, including the Bureau of Land Management, Equitable Solar Solutions, AmeriCorps, and more.

Want to learn more about Western’s environmental studies degree programs? Sign up to explore our degree offerings, small class advantages, expert faculty, and hands-on experiences in the field and beyond. From ecological restoration projects to community collaborations, Western offers the practical knowledge and skills you need to make a positive impact on the environment.

By filling out this form, you’ll also connect with one of our friendly admissions counselors, who are ready to answer your questions and support you on your college journey, no matter where you are in the process.

Explore Our Programs

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Environment & Sustainability Major

Gain the skills and mindset to tackle the impending 21st-century environmental challenges.

Go to Environment & Sustainability

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Accelerated Degree Programs

Choose from various disciplines and earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years.

Go to Accelerated Degrees

Environment & Sustainability Degree Emphasis Options

If you choose to major in Environment & Sustainability, you will select an emphasis to concentrate your degree in. A major emphasis dives deeper into a specific interest within your major. It allows you to focus on a particular area of study, replacing the need for a separate minor.

Top 3 Reasons to Choose Western

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Our Unbeatable Location

With over 2 million acres of public land, an extensive trail system, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort just 35 minutes from campus, Western offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and hands-on learning.

Two students wearing pink cowboy hats ride a tandem townie bike down main street and bring joy to community members during the Homecoming parade.

Our Close-Knit Community

Western and Gunnison are known for their strong sense of community. The people here are genuinely welcoming and supportive, creating an environment where you can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging.

Professor Dave Erbe points his ski pole uphill in front of his backcountry skiing class. Mount Crested Butte is seen in the background.

Our Class Environment

At Western, it’s easy to build meaningful relationships with professors both inside and outside the classroom. With an average class size of 17, you’ll work closely with your professors and have your education personalized to you.

The best way to understand if Western is the right place for you is by visiting! We offer a variety of visit experiences designed to accommodate wherever you may be in the college decision-making process.

Schedule A Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

While enrolled in an environmental and sustainability major, you will study the structure and function of natural systems, examine how social, political, and economic activity impacts those systems, and experiment with resilient solutions to unsustainable human impacts.

Through comprehensive coursework and hands-on experience, environmental studies prepare students for meaningful careers fueled by passion and natural interests. Upon graduating, students in the program are effective interdisciplinary communicators with the skills and knowledge to lead environmental and sustainability efforts anywhere.

Environmental studies explore human-environment interactions, focusing on sustainable solutions and policy. Graduates are equipped to lead in environmental and sustainability fields. At Western, environmental studies live in the Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability.

Environmental science offers a strong, science-focused education, preparing students for careers in environmental science, hydrology, and management. At Western, environmental science students study in the Natural & Environmental Sciences Department.

With small classes where you can connect with your classmates and our dedicated faculty, a focus on hands-on learning, and our close-knit community on and off campus, we are one of the art schools in Colorado committed to providing you with more than just a degree. Set against the unbeatable backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Western provides a transformational experience that will prepare you for a rewarding career and life after college.

We're Here to Help!

Still have questions about Western and if it’s right for you? Connect with our friendly Admissions Team or schedule a visit!

Chase Watts

Director of Admissions
Alissa Bevan

Associate Director of Admissions
Charlotte Haston

Campus Visits Coordinator
Brice Koval

Admissions & Recruitment Counselor - STEM
Kelsey Kusnetzky

Enrollment Communications Strategist
Vadood Ziroki

Admissions & Recruitment Counselor

970.943.2248

ses@western.edu

1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230

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Common Questions

Common Searches

Small Classes

Hands-On Learning

Make Connections

Living Laboratory

Impactful Interships

Environment & Sustainability Major

Accelerated Degree Programs

Climate Action Planning

Food Systems

Individualized Contract

Public Land Management

Water Studies

Our Unbeatable Location

Our Close-Knit Community

Our Class Environment

Chase Watts

Alissa Bevan

Charlotte Haston

Brice Koval

Kelsey Kusnetzky

Vadood Ziroki

Dean

Undergraduate Administrative Assistant

Graduate Program Facilitator