Program Overview

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Environmental Policy and Decision Making

Overview

The environmental policy and decision making major explores the protection of long-term natural resource use and environmental quality through changes in human behavior and policy. This major gives particular consideration to how policies are formulated and implemented and what impact they will have on society, as well as how to best engage individuals and communities to respond to environmental challenges.

Degree and Campus

• Degree: BS
• Campus: Columbus
• School: Environment and Natural Resources

Curriculum

The curriculum includes foundational courses that provide an initial exposure to an array of issues that impact natural resources, focusing on physical and natural sciences as well as the social sciences. These courses include:

• Introduction to Environmental Science
• Society and Natural Resources
• Introduction to Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife
• Introduction to Soil Science

Specializations

The major offers several specializations:

• Communication and behavior change: Focuses on how best to communicate environmental, science, and risk information to public audiences.
• Environmental and social justice: Examines the local and global inequality in access to and control over resources, the impact this has on livelihoods, and how corporations and policies can contribute to both solutions and problems faced by disadvantaged populations.
• Policy and governance: Focuses on understanding how policies that affect the environment and natural resources are designed and implemented.

Study Abroad

Nearly half of all graduates in the environmental policy and decision making major study abroad before they graduate. The School of Environment and Natural Resources provides environmentally focused international study opportunities in a variety of places, including New Zealand, Australia, and Iceland.

Internship

Gaining real-world experience through internships is critical to student success. Students gain valuable work experience at a variety of federal, state, and private agencies and organizations. All students in this major complete either an internship or a capstone experience.

Honors and Scholars

• The Environment and Natural Resources Honors program challenges high-ability students by providing an enriched academic experience, close work with faculty mentors, the ability to design their own study plan, and scholarships for outstanding scholastic achievement.
• The Environment and Natural Resources Scholars program is designed to support students with an interest in exploring the natural world, examining areas such as environmental problems and solutions, alternative energy, wildlife management, and outdoor recreation.

Student Organizations

Student organizations, such as the Sierra Club Student Coalition and Students for Recycling, give students hands-on experiences in the field and help them develop network connections with professionals.

Possible Careers

The School of Environment and Natural Resources Career Services Office assists students with one-on-one counseling to identify job opportunities, assist in preparing cover letters and resumes, and preparing for interviews. Recent graduates have found employment in positions such as:

• Regional disaster preparedness coordinator
• Environment, health, and safety specialist
• Policy analyst
• Naturalist and camp director
• AmeriCorps member
• Environmental compliance specialist
• Outreach and organizing manager

Salary Estimates

Average salaries range from $56,000 to $87,000. Supervisors with advanced experience can expect salaries around $100,000 to $155,000 per year with public or private agencies.