Environmental Studies, B.A./Environmental Science, B.S.

The 麻豆原创 environmental studies program allows you to investigate environmental issues from a multitude of perspectives and in a variety of ways 鈥� from the classroom and the lab to the field. The curriculum takes a rich interdisciplinary approach and goes beyond biology and policy to incorporate sociology and theology. In particular, the environmental studies program places a robust emphasis on the theological foundation for caring for God's creation. This program will help you think critically about some of the most pressing questions of our day, while enhancing your marketability across a variety of careers.

Why major in environmental studies at 麻豆原创?

Learn from passionate professors who come from a variety of disciplines and care deeply for the environment. Their varied backgrounds provide you with a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted nature of environmental stewardship.
Gain hands-on experience in an array of courses by measuring ecosystems in the field, engaging with the community about environmental issues, and working in the lab to make safer and more sustainable products.
Go off campus and explore the world from an environmental perspective 鈥� you'll have several Jan Term programs to choose from. In addition, many semester courses have field experiences including community gardening, forest ecology and work with local elementary schools.
Connect your faith or worldview to your learning. This program takes seriously the mandate to serve and protect God's good earth. Our Redemption of Creation and Theology & Ecology courses emphasize the connections between our relationship with God and our responsibility to care for the things God cares about.
Apply what you're learning to your life by considering the environmental impact of your personal and professional decisions.
Develop community with other students who care about environmental issues.
Become who you're meant to be.

There will never be a class that tops one that I took last January called Theology & Ecology. The 16 of us in the class and Professor Jonathan Moo spent almost a month up in the Cascade Mountains learning about all of the nearby mountains and tree species and what the Bible can tell us about how to steward our land, while building a once-in-a-lifetime community and cross-country skiing almost every day.

Matt Cochran '25
What it's Like

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A row of trees stands at the end of a field covered in multi-colored autumn leaves.

Ask our faculty

Have questions? Our faculty are here to share their expertise and help you learn more about this program.

Ask Grant

gcasady@whitworth.edu

Professor Grant Casady specializes in ecology and environmental science.

Ask Jonathan

jmoo@whitworth.edu

Professor of Theology Jonathan Moo's areas of expertise include environmental studies.

Ask Vange

vocasio@whitworth.edu

Associate Professor Vange Ocasio specializes in international economics and development.

Our environmental studies grads make a difference (and get jobs)

This program provides students with a broad perspective that makes them more competitive in their pursuit of careers. Employers are increasingly concerned with the environmental impacts of their endeavors, and they hire accordingly. Many career options exist within government agencies, manufacturing and land-development companies, environmental consulting companies, and conservation organizations. Our graduates are also well prepared for graduate education in such subjects as wildlife science, marine biology, forestry, environmental chemistry and environmental law.

Recent job placements include:

Grace Cooper, conservation scientist, Walla Walla County Conservation District, Walla Walla
Caleb McGivney, fisheries habitat biologist, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Spokane
Justyce Brant, urban forestry program director, The Lands Council, Spokane
Jane Holmes, large carnivore handler, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Camp Verde, Ariz.
Linnea Howard, wildlife biologist, Torrey Pines Environmental, San Diego, Calif.

Our recent environmental studies grads further their studies in top graduate programs at institutions including:

University of Washington, School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
Washington State University, School of the Environment
Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management
University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries & Ocean Science
Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry
Princeton Theological Seminary

Pack your bags!

Our Jan Term programs travel locally as well as into the high Cascades and to the Costa Rican rainforest. The Costa Rica Field Ecology course emphasizes the interface between societies and the environment. Students live with residents of a small fishing village and learn from them about their livelihood and how to better care for ocean resources, all while practicing field research techniques in rainforest and intertidal environments.

The Ecology & Theology course takes students into the high Cascades at Tall Timber Ranch. Students live in an intentional community of worship and learn first-hand what it means to care for creation by studying Scripture and the surrounding ecosystem. Students also take a cross-country skiing course.

麻豆原创