BA in Environmental Studies
Be an Agent for Change
Our planet is a complex ecosystem that is constantly transforming, from both natural and human causes. Be at the forefront of environmental efforts while learning the critical skills necessary to become practitioners, advocates and eco-citizens. Explore scientific, economic, political, ethical, and social dynamics in the context of environmental stewardship through experiential and engaging coursework. By understanding the multifaceted sustainability challenges humanity faces, you’ll be able to understand all parties involved and aid in problem resolution. The world needs adept, flexible, creative, collaborative, culturally-humble policy makers, scientists, educators, leaders, advocates, artists, philosophers, and citizens. This degree will prepare you to serve in any of these essential roles.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options.
Students pursuing environmental studies who would transfer in with maximum credits or are interested in a somewhat broader undergraduate experience should consider our BA in Liberal Studies with an Environmental Studies concentration.
Program Overview
Whether you are currently a community college student, a busy parent or worker, a veteran, or an international student, our Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies completion program is designed to support your personal, academic, and professional goals at any point in your life or career path. Students are taught by engaged faculty with environmental expertise and the program will prepare students to be practitioners in the field, empower students who may already be dealing with environmental justice issues in their own communities, and provide optional field study for experiential environmental opportunities. Students will:
- explore issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in courses
- discuss physical and biological sciences as they relate to environmental issues
- become part of a powerful community of engaged students of all backgrounds
- acquire the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to meet goals
Students pursuing this major acquire the following skills and knowledge:
- Understand and describe the complex physical and biological sciences as they relate to environmental issues
- Critically evaluate the social, economic, and political dynamics involved in both the emergence and the resolution of environmental problems
- Articulate the historical development and ethical implications of the human relationship with the natural world
- Analyze the intersectionality of environmental, ethical, and social justice issues through various lenses
- Apply research methods and communication skills to effectively analyze environmental studies issues
- Use systems thinking to conceptualize sustainable solutions and advocate for problem-solving that includes marginalized communities
Additional Information
The BA in Environmental Studies degree requirements are listed below. Students can transfer up to 90 semester credits from a previous college or university. Of those, up to 80 semester credits can be lower division, or 100- and 200-level courses.
- 120 semester credits to graduate.
- 36 credits in Environmental Studies Major
- Minimum 18 upper-division credits Antioch coursework
- 9 credits Major Core Coursework, including Environmental Studies: Problems & Solutions
- 6 credits elective coursework
- 3 credits capstone
- Remaining credits of Environmental Studies electives
- Minimum 18 upper-division credits Antioch coursework
- 30 minimum credits earned at Antioch (residency requirement)
- 40 or more upper-division credits
- Successful completion of our gateway course, Transformative Education, during the first term of enrollment.
- 36 credits of General Education courses
- 24 credits in the following domains, with a minimum of 3 credits in each: Art, Communications, Humanities, Quantitative Reasoning, Science, and Social Science (can be transferred in)
- 12 credits of Antioch core (must be earned at Antioch)
Antioch’s BA in Environmental Studies is a bachelor’s completion program that requires 120 semester credits to graduate. You can transfer up to 90 semester credits, so the program can be completed in 1.5 to 2.5 years depending on your prior learning experience.
This Environmental Studies program explores numerous disciplines, including global studies, natural science, social science, economics, health, ethics, culture, and leadership, within experiential and engaging coursework. Coursework pays special attention to issues of equity and justice-mindedness, particularly as environmental hazards and climate change disproportionately impact poor and marginalized groups in societies across the globe.
Students in the major will have courses together creating collegiality and a cooperative learning community that extends beyond graduation. You’ll join a peer community where you receive personal attention in small classes.
Students are encouraged to engage in nonclassroom learning to extend and deepen their learning and professional development. These can include the following:
- Presentations and professional development at environmental conferences
- Justice and advocacy work with community-based organizations
- Cultural and ecological conservation work in field study locations
- Project-based learning in urban climate change, resilience, mitigation, and adaptation
A BA in Environmental Studies involves research, data analysis, data-gathering, critical thinking, communication, conducting quantitative and qualitative research, environmental sampling, and problem-solving skills, ultimately preparing students for careers in many environmental fields, including:
- community builder
- ecologist
- renewable energy specialist
- environmental advocate
- environmental educator
- environmental geographer
- environmental health officer
- environmental technician
- science teacher
- sustainability officer
- town/transport planner
- water quality specialist
- wildlife biologist
In today’s economy, with its demand for educated workers with college and advanced degrees, many of our undergraduate students enter our program on an express train headed for graduate study and credentialing that will quickly equip them to compete successfully in the career of their choice. This is especially true for our large number of adult students who are looking to become therapists and counselors in their communities.
To help our students economize on the time and money they spend completing their education, Undergraduate Studies collaborates with our graduate programs to offer pathway options that allow qualified undergraduate students to earn significant advanced standing in several of our master’s programs. Undergraduate students can apply to an Antioch graduate program while working on the BA degree and, if accepted, complete their remaining bachelor’s degree credits by taking first-term graduate courses.Credits earned during this “pathway” apply toward both the student’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees, saving significant time and money in the process.
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Environmental Studies students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MS in Environmental Studies: Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability
- MS in Environmental Studies: Conservation Biology
- MS in Environmental Studies: Environmental Education
Note that with permission of the chair, an undergraduate may be able to take a course in one of these graduate programs before applying. Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Faculty Spotlights
Michael Anthony-Nalepa, LMFT
Adjunct Faculty
Sharyn Merrigan, MEd
Adjunct Faculty
Latonya Evans, PhD
Teaching Faculty
Fabián Cereijido
Art History Lecturer
Admissions/Costs/Financial Aid
Admissions
How to Apply
- Complete and submit the Online Application.
- Complete and submit the Admissions Essay in the application.
- Submit the Application Fee of $50. Note: The application fee is waived for anyone attending an information session. Interested in attending? Sign up now!
- Request official transcripts from every accredited institution from which you have received units of academic credit. You must provide evidence that you have successfully completed 24 semester units or more of college-level learning.
- At least 24-semester credits of transferable undergraduate work completed from a regionally accredited college or university
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (if requested)
Unofficial or in-progress transcripts may be submitted for the purpose of initial review. Official transcripts are required prior to enrollment and should be sent electronically to [email protected]. Electronic submission is preferred. If official transcripts must be mailed, please send them to:
Antioch University
Attn: Admissions
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Deadlines
Admissions deadlines - Undergraduate Studies
| Semester | Final Application | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | December 1 | January 11 |
| Summer | April 15 | May 10 |
| Fall | August 15 | September 7 |
Cost
| Per semester credit | $580 |
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
By taking advantage of our generous transfer policy, you can complete your undergraduate degree for less than $20,000. The total cost to complete a bachelor’s degree will vary based on a number of factors including area of concentration, credit received for prior life and work experiences, and the credits that would transfer into your BA completion program. Our students typically transfer in between 45-60 semester credits. A minimum of 120 semester credits is required to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Financial Aid
A majority of Antioch University students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at Antioch University. Returning to school is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one.
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