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Earth and Environmental Sciences, BA

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  3. Earth and Environmental Sciences, BA

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus,
    or
    online
  • Additional Program Fee: Yes
  • Second Language Requirement: Yes
  • Math Intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 117 - College Algebra

Required Courses (Major Map)

Online Major Map

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool


Explore today's most pressing challenges in environmental health, climate change and natural resources, and develop your capacity to improve the human condition, both present and future. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills as you become an environmental steward and changemaker.

This program's name has changed effective Fall 2024. The previous name was Earth and Environmental Studies.


Program Description

The BA in Earth and environmental sciences helps students understand the function and evolution of the world and the vulnerabilities of the environment. The degree provides broad training in physical science and geoscience, with emphasis on understanding Earth's life-sustaining surface environment.

The program explores climate change, energy resources, natural hazards, ocean environments and implications for sustainable human civilizations, empowering graduates to help Arizona and the global community address many critical environmental challenges facing society.

Elective tracks allow students to focus their studies on climate and environmental change, environmental policy, sustainability, Earth resources, environmental management or environmental education.

In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.




Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman Transfer International Readmission


Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.


Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.


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Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Geosciences Institute project strong job growth in environmental science and geoscience. Graduates will be well prepared for "green" professional careers in fields such as environmental education, environmental reporting, public planning, environmental consulting and natural resource management, or for graduate school in related disciplines such as natural and environmental sciences or education, environmental public policy and environmental management.

Career opportunities include:

  • conservation scientist or natural resource manager
  • data analyst
  • environmental monitoring and exposure assessor
  • environmental or sustainability consultant or planner
  • environmental protection or remediation scientist, consultant or manager
  • environmental specialist, analyst or technician
  • natural hazards assessment and mitigation specialist
  • public policy and planning specialist
  • science teacher
  • water resources specialist

Career settings include:

  • educational institutions
  • environmental consulting firms
  • environmental engineering firms
  • federal, state and local government agencies
  • museums
  • nongovernmental organizations
  • nonprofit organizations
  • publishing companies
  • regulatory agencies
  • utility companies

For more information, please see thecareer opportunities page on the School of Earth and Space Exploration website.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Climate Change Policy Analysts

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Data Scientists

  • Growth: 35.2%
  • Median Salary*: 103500
  Bright Outlook

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

  • Growth: 0.7%
  • Median Salary*: 61690

Conservation Scientists

  • Growth: 4.1%
  • Median Salary*: 64460

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Restoration Planners

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 83040

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

  • Growth: 14.8%
  • Median Salary*: 48110
  Bright Outlook

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

  • Growth: 1%
  • Median Salary*: 62360

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

  • Growth: 0.8%
  • Median Salary*: 61810

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation


Global Opportunities

Global Experience

Not only is the physical environment varied across the globe, so is the human treatment of it. Global education programs allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the global environment, how culture affects the environment and how to best communicate environmental research to a diverse audience. Programs are offered in a variety of countries around the world.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • sese-advising@asu.edu
  • 480/965-5081


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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