BA MAJOR

What You’ll Study

This interdisciplinary major starts with foundational courses in environmental science, policy, education, and justice as well as math. Then you’ll select from a wide range of courses based on your interests.

This interdisciplinary major might be for you if you’re interested in the interaction of subjects like:

  • Environmental policy
  • Environmental justice
  • Political ecology
  • Environmental History
  • Education
  • Park interpretation
  • Sociology
  • Community activism
  • Urban gardening

Concentration

On top of the core environmental studies courses, you can choose to narrow your studies with the Environmental Education concentration.

Honors Program in Natural Sciences

Environmental studies majors can opt to participate in the honors program, which grants honors recognition on your degree. To graduate with honors, you must earn a 3.5 GPA, complete an independent research project or internship, and present your work to the faculty.

Certified

Our campus is a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Wildlife Certification

Explore Classes in This Program

ENS 1200

Everybody's Environment! People, Place, and Planet

21st-century environmental work is personal and political; scientific and poetic; local, regional, and global! And maybe most of all: terrifying and hopeful.  With our southern Appalachian ecoregion for a classroom, you’ll deepen your understanding of today’s intersectional environmental problems and solutions in the classroom and the community.

SOC 2710

Environmental Sociology

This course focuses on the interrelationship between natural and social environments. Although the course covers a broad range of issues, emphasis will be given to the development of environmental sociology; various perspectives in environmental sociology; environment and culture; environmental justice; the interrelationship of ideology, materialism, and the environment; global environmental issues; and environmental activism.

ENS 4600

Environmental Leadership in Community

Guided by case studies in successful environmental protection, you’ll apply your interdisciplinary skills and knowledge to help plan and carry out an environmental protection project in the region.

Still curious? See the Curriculum
Meet Our Faculty

I am more guide than teacher; I love guiding intelligent, passionate students as they help change the world not just after they graduate, but as part of their educational experience.

Liesl Peterson Erb, Ph.D.
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Liesl Peterson Erb
Liesl Peterson Erb, Ph.D.
Mark Brenner

As I field biologist, I always say our best laboratories are right out the back door of the science building. Within a 5 minute walk we have 3 ponds, a trout stream and 600 acres of Forest.

Mark Brenner, Ph.D.
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Mark Brenner
Mark Brenner, Ph.D.
Amy Knisely

Teaching and learning at Warren Wilson is not for the faint of heart! And some days I wake up tired. But the strong-hearted, active-minded students and educators, busy together in this beautiful valley and beyond, send me home energized every day.

Amy L. Knisley, Ph.D.
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Amy Knisely
Amy L. Knisley, Ph.D.

The best part of the job is watching students graduate with a strong portfolio of experiences and find meaningful work connecting people to places.

Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.
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Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.

I believe my responsibility is not only as an instructor but as a mentor and a resource for the future. My classes are not just an experience with a grade; they are an opportunity to build social capital.

Joshua Earl Arnold, Ph.D.
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Joshua Earl Arnold, Ph.D.

Everywhere you look there's a story to be told here at Wilson. It's my job to help guide my students to see these stories and learn how to best share them with the world.

Peter Erb, MA
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Peter Erb, MA
Faculty Member Eric Griffin stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.

Warren Wilson has some of the most accessible experiential learning opportunities of any college campus in the country. It is one of the primary reasons why I wanted to be here as a faculty member, particularly when the forest is a stone’s throw away from the classroom!

Eric Griffin
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Faculty Member Eric Griffin stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.
Eric Griffin, Ph.D
Faculty Member Liz Benavides stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.

At Warren Wilson, I have most enjoyed learning from my students as much as I am teaching them. Their wealth of experiences has not only been valuable in my lessons, but I have learned so much from them as well!

Liz Benavides, Ph.D.
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Faculty Member Liz Benavides stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.
Liz Benavides, Ph.D.

I believe curiosity is the seed of hope. I approach education as a way to cultivate my students' curiosities about the world and how they can engage with it.

Jeffrey A. Keith, Ph.D.
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Jeffrey A. Keith, Ph.D.
David Abernathy

Warren Wilson students crave a challenge. I am continually amazed at the enthusiasm with which our students throw themselves into an endeavor, whether it be a physically exhausting service trip or an intellectually stimulating research question. Wilson students tend to say “bring it.”

David Abernathy, Ph.D.
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David Abernathy
David Abernathy, Ph.D.
As one of Indonesia’s “Traveling World Class Professors,” Warren Wilson College professor Siti Kusujiarti is building a collaborative research partnership with Jenderal Soedirman University faculty members.

Warren Wilson students are poised to learn and to expand their horizons.

Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D.
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As one of Indonesia’s “Traveling World Class Professors,” Warren Wilson College professor Siti Kusujiarti is building a collaborative research partnership with Jenderal Soedirman University faculty members.
Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D.
Liesl Peterson Erb

Hands-on, All-in

Warren Wilson integrates your academics with work and community engagement. Engaging all your passions and interests results in an education with meaning and real professional experience.
Study Away 
Students traveled to France to study how communities are building resilience in the face of the climate crisis.
Break Trip
Lead a Break Trip 
Students work with communities in Appalachia, Virginia and Whitesville, WV to fight mountaintop removal
Jessica Culpepper
Taking a Stand 
Alumna Jessica Culpepper, '04, writes about climate change
A DEET Alternative 
Alumna Brooke Bissinger, '00, creates nontoxic alternatives to DEET
Ben Linthicum
Udall Scholar 
Alumnus Ben Linthicum, '16, awarded Udall Scholarship
Work 
The Biology & Environmental Studies Crew assists the programs in a variety of ways

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