Environmental Studies

Explore solutions to pressing environmental challenges

As an Environmental Studies major, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of human interaction within the natural environment by taking courses in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. This interdisciplinary curriculum will allow you to evaluate current and emerging environmental problems and determine potential solutions.

Majoring in environmental studies offers many opportunities for hands-on research experience as program faculty are active researchers in soil and wetland science, restoration ecology, geology, paleontology, and conservation. In addition, DePaul’s close proximity to Lake Michigan, Chicago’s urban ecosystem will allow you to interact and work with professionals in the field and learn about important environmental issues.

The Environmental Studies program offers a Standard concentration, which studies the interdependency among physical, biological, economic and social systems and a Sustainability concentration. The Sustainability concentration also offers an Urban Sustainability focus.

In addition we offer a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Management. This program allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in as few as five years.

For international students: this program is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States.