Program Overview

---

Environmental Studies Program

The American College of Greece is the first independent educational institution in Greece to introduce an Environmental Studies program. Launched in fall 2010, the program aims to develop students' understanding of the root causes and multiple dimensions of environmental problems (ecological, social, economic, and political) and provide them with the necessary training for effectively addressing these problems in an increasingly complex world.

Program Overview

The program provides students with the theoretical knowledge and skills to:

• Enter the professional world and pursue careers related to environmental issues
• Become environmentally informed and socially responsible citizens
• Undertake graduate studies in environmental fields

Method of Program Delivery

The program is delivered face-to-face at the Aghia Paraskevi campus.

Admission Process and Procedures

The program is validated by The Open University, UK. Students can find more information about the admission process and procedures through the program specification and regulations for validated awards.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees vary depending on the student's country of origin. Specific tuition and fees for Greek, European Union, and North American students are available.

Curriculum: An Interdisciplinary Program

The program combines knowledge from different disciplines to provide students with a better understanding of the complex nature of environmental problems. Courses include:

• Environmental science
• General biology
• Ecology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Environmental policy
• Environmental management principles
• Issues of environmental justice
• Human responses to global climate change

Students also acquire knowledge of research methods used in environmental analysis and develop practical skills through courses in statistics and geographic information systems. The program includes a capstone thesis, through which students develop the cognitive and practical skills needed to conduct research in different environmental studies fields.

Senior Year Specializations

In their senior year, students have the opportunity to select from various optional courses on more specialized topics, including:

• Water resources management
• Air quality and global atmospheric changes
• Conservation of wildlife and Mediterranean ecosystems
• Sustainable food production
• Sustainable use of resources and waste management
• Energy and environment
• Environmental governance in the EU
• Sustainable cities
• Education for the environment and sustainability
• Special topics courses, which approach specific contemporary environmental issues using an in-depth, integrated, interdisciplinary approach with emphasis on latest research

Career Opportunities

Studying Environmental Studies provides students with a variety of skills that allow them to pursue careers in many different fields. Many graduates have decided to pursue graduate studies in fields such as Environmental Science, Environmental Economics and Policy, Water Resources Management, Environmental Toxicology, Ecology and Conservation, Forestry, Marine Science, and Climate Change, Sustainability Studies. Others have entered the job market, working in:

• Private consulting firms and companies performing environmental studies
• Private companies, such as corporations, banks, market research companies, colleges, and universities, in areas like environmental planning, internal audits, policy, and quality assessments
• Media
• Non-governmental organizations in environmental education, communication, and management
• Research centers and academic institutions in environmental research
• Protected areas as environmental experts, educators, or eco-tour guides
• International posts, such as EU environmental programs, in the above areas

Sustainability at ACG

Environmental Studies students have the opportunity to engage in sustainability-related projects aiming to establish and enhance a sustainability culture on campus and create future sustainability leaders. The American College of Greece recognizes the environmental, economic, and social benefits of resource efficiency and commits to educating, inspiring, and empowering its students, as well as faculty, staff, parents, alumni, trustees, and business partners, to develop a sustainability culture and collaborate with the local community in promoting sustainability best practices. The Environmental Studies program collaborates closely with the ACG Center of Excellence in Sustainability (CoES), a pioneer center in Greece established in 2011 to promote sustainability on the ACG campus and beyond.