Environmentalist Schools: List of Schools with Degree Programs for Becoming an Environmentalist

Published Aug 13, 2009

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Environmentalists, or environmental scientists, study and seek solutions for pollutants and other environmental hazards. A minimum of a bachelor's degree is typically needed to enter the field, although most environmentalists hold graduate degrees in environmental science or environmental studies. Ohio State University and the University of Florida are just two U.S. institutions offering degree programs for becoming an environmentalist.

Associate of Science in Environmental Studies

An associate's degree program in environmental studies exposes students to the social and scientific elements of this complex field. Because environmentalists generally need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, associate's degree programs in environmental studies should be considered stepping stones to furthering one's education.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies

Bachelor degree programs in environmental studies have interdisciplinary curricula, including subjects like chemistry, biology, geology and geography. A bachelor's degree is considered the minimum educational requirement for environmental scientists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ww.bls.gov, although most research positions and even many entry-level jobs require a graduate degree.

Master of Science in Environmental Studies

The BLS reports that most environmentalist positions in private industry and government are reserved for those who hold master's degrees or higher. In an environmental studies program at the master's degree level, students learn about pollution, water abatement, population growth and ecosystem protection, among other environmentally related issues.

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies

A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in environmental studies or environmental science prepares environmentalists for teaching and research jobs at the university level. In a Ph.D. program, students focus on complex environmental issues like urban environments and public health. Ph.D. students must also complete a dissertation exhibiting original research.

Public and Private Non-Profit Schools with Degree Programs for Becoming an Environmentalist

School Name Institution Type Enrollment Mailing Address Phone Number
Ohio State University-Main Campus 4-year, Public 52,568 190 N. Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 292-6446
University of Florida 4-year, Public 51,725 355 Tigert Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-3115 (352) 392-3261
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 4-year, Public 50,883 100 Church St. SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213 (612) 625-5000
Texas A&M University 4-year, Public 46,542 Mail Stop 3148, Room 202, Eller O&M Building, College Station, Texas 77843-3148 (979) 845-6324
Michigan State University 4-year, Public 46,045 274 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824 (517) 432-8296
University of South Florida 4-year, Public 44,870 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620-9951 (813) 974-2011
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 4-year, Public 42,326 601 E. John St., Champaign, IL 61820-5711 (217) 333-1000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 4-year, Public 41,042 Dana Building, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041 (734) 764-6453
University of Washington-Seattle Campus 4-year, Public 40,218 1400 NE Campus Pkwy., Seattle, WA 98195-4550 (206) 543-2100
Indiana University-Bloomington 4-year, Public 38,990 107 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405-7000 (812) 855-4848
Florida International University 4-year, Public 38,182 11200 SW 8 St., Miami, FL 33199 (305) 348-2000
University of California-Los Angeles 4-year, Public 37,476 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405 (310) 825-4321
University of Arizona 4-year, Public 37,217 1401 E. University, Tucson, AZ 85721-0066 (520) 621-2211
California State University-Fullerton 4-year, Public 37,130 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831-3599 (657) 278-2011
California State University-Long Beach 4-year, Public 36,868 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-0115 (562) 985-4111
University of California-Berkeley 4-year, Public 34,940 137 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA 94720 (510) 643-7430
Rutgers University-New Brunswick 4-year, Public 34,804 83 Somerset St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281 (732) 932-1766
University of North Texas 4-year, Public 34,710 Chestnut Avenue, Denton, TX 76203-1277 (940) 565-2000
Temple University 4-year, Public 34,696 1801 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096 (215) 204-7000
University of Houston 4-year, Public 34,663 212 E. Cullen Building, Houston, TX 77204-2018 (713) 743-1000
Brigham Young University 4-year, Private not-for-profit 34,174 Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602 (801) 422-4636
University of Georgia 4-year, Public 33,831 109 Conner Hall, Athens, GA 30602-7503 (706) 542-2151
University of Southern California 4-year, Private not-for-profit 33,408 Room 209, AHF 209, MC 0372, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1697 (213) 740-7770
Wayne State University 4-year, Public 32,380 656 W. Kirby St., Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 577-2424
San Jose State University 4-year, Public 31,906 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0001 (408) 924-1000

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