$200,000
St. Thomas has received $200,000 in student-led grants for various on-campus sustainability initiatives.
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Build a better future for the next generation. Environmental studies at the University of St. Thomas provides you with the background knowledge, theory and skills needed to create an environmentally sustainable society.
Why Study Environmental Studies at St. Thomas?
We face complex environmental challenges every day. Our program addresses them by giving you knowledge in various fields, including environmental policy, research methods, geographic information systems, environmental communication and leadership. You will benefit from an interdisciplinary program that utilizes field study, internships and study abroad to bring a sustainable future to our society.
Examining Problems From Multiple Perspectives
Course Requirements
You start out your undergraduate career by focusing on environmental problems and sustainability in your coursework which prepares you for a field seminar course in your senior year. Throughout your time at St. Thomas, you will also focus on courses in the social sciences, public policy, communication, ecological literacy, entrepreneurship and leadership which will give you a well-rounded skillset that is needed in a variety of industries.
Four-Year Plan
We offer a flexible program that can match your interests and goals, so we recommend connecting with a member of our faculty to plan your career at St. Thomas.
Degrees Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Internships and Research
All students work closely on real-world projects with community partners, such as the Nature Conservancy, Great River Greening and the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. Many of our students also complete internships to gain practical experience. Past internships have been with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Brightside Produce, St. Paul Regional Water Service and Three Rivers Park District.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You start out your undergraduate career by focusing on environmental problems and sustainability in your coursework which prepares you for a field seminar course in your senior year. Throughout your time at St. Thomas, you will also focus on courses in the social sciences, public policy, communication, ecological literacy, entrepreneurship and leadership which will give you a well-rounded skillset that is needed in a variety of industries.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
We offer a flexible program that can match your interests and goals, so we recommend connecting with a member of our faculty to plan your career at St. Thomas.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Internships and Research
Internships and Research
All students work closely on real-world projects with community partners, such as the Nature Conservancy, Great River Greening and the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. Many of our students also complete internships to gain practical experience. Past internships have been with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Brightside Produce, St. Paul Regional Water Service and Three Rivers Park District.
Tackling Big Problems in Unique Ways
Our faculty, students and alumni are traveling the world, applying their knowledge and skills to address complex issues.
Dr. Paul Lorah
Dr. Lorah’s research interests primarily focus on the economic value of the wilderness and national parks, and also how to use geographic information systems to model environmental quality and effectiveness of federal land management policies. He is an active conservationist as well, collaborating with students to write multiple grants that have resulted in over $200,000 for various conservation projects such as an oak forest restoration project.
Fartun Dirie ‘13
Fartun conducted research with Dr. Paul Lorah and the help of a Summer Housing Grant through the McNair Scholars program on how Somalis perceive the Twin Cities’ landscape in terms of residential desirability. Using a grassroots approach to data collection, Fartun discovered Somalis view the Twin Cities in a positive light. She presented her research at the 2012 GIS/LIS Consortium conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota. You can find more information about Fartun’s story in the St. Thomas Newsroom.
Alice Ready and Emma Rinn
Alice and Emma used drones to discover how aerial images can gather data and support the work of the Minnesota Nature Conservancy. Collaborating with Dr. Paul Lorah, Emma and Alice gathered and analyzed data that will continue to provide information to the Nature Conservancy for years to come. Alice and Emma also became registered commercial drone pilots with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Career Paths
We give you the tools you need to succeed in a variety of careers and industries. Here are a few paths our alumni have followed after St. Thomas.
- Park Naturalist
- Environmental Journalist
- Environmental Economist
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Corporate Sustainability Officer
- Geographic Information Specialist
Oh, the Places You Will Go
You have access to numerous opportunities for mentorship, research and more inside and outside of the classroom with our program.
Community Partnerships
You can partner with organizations like the Nature Conservancy, Great River Greening and the Great Plains Restoration Council.
Collaborative Research
We promote research projects to all students in our program, and faculty are always eager to get you involved with what they are studying.
Faculty With Real Experience
Dr. David Kelley
Dr. Kelley is interested in environmental analysis, landscape evolution and environmental management.
Dr. Paul Lorah
Dr. Lorah focuses on the economic value of national parks and the wilderness.
Vast Knowledge. Versatile Skills.
The interdisciplinary nature of our program will develop your knowledge and skills in various fields.
Make an Impact
Our students are actively involved in collaborative research projects with faculty, using their knowledge and skills to make a difference in society.
See Another Side
Where do you want to go? There are multiple opportunities for our students to study abroad during their undergraduate career. For example, students recently had the opportunity to participate in doing fieldwork at a Roman archaeological site on an island off the coast of Croatia.
Make Change Locally
As part of a community art grant and the College of Arts and Sciences SOLV Initiative, geography students have been surveying the Midway Neighborhood to examine its environment and its impact on its citizens.
Collaborative Efforts
Students have led efforts to write several grants generating over $200,000 for sustainability initiatives.
Schoenecker Center
The Schoenecker Center — the university's new central home for STEAM education — is home to several new spaces for Environmental Studies students, including our Water & Environmental Engineering Lab and the Earth, Environment & Society department offices.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.