Department of Environmental Studies

Office: Washington Square Hall 118
Telephone: 408-924-5450 (Voice); 408-924-5477 (Fax)
Emails: environmental-studies@sjsu.edu, envstudies-ms@sjsu.edu (for Master’s Program)
Website: www.sjsu.edu/envs/

Professors

Katherine Cushing, Chair and Global Studies Coordinator
Gary A. Klee
Dustin Mulvaney
Rachel O’Malley, Graduate Program Coordinator
William Russell
Lynne A. Trulio, Undergraduate Advisor

Assistant Professors

Metha Klock
Costanza Rampini
Amanda Stasiewicz

Overview

The mission of the Department of Environmental Studies is to provide students with rigorous interdisciplinary tools to study, manage and resolve environmental challenges. As part of this mission, we are committed to providing an inclusive, multicultural and anti-racist education for all our students. Among the first such programs in the country, the Department of Environmental Studies at SJSU has been granting degrees and training environmental professionals since 1970. Today, our students experience hands-on learning through field courses, the Center for Development of Recycling, the Environmental Resource Center and off-campus internships. Alumni career paths include environmental impact assessment, habitat restoration, renewable energy, water policy, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, recreation and park management, environmental policy, integrated waste management, and recycling. The program in Global Studies recently joined the Department, expanding offerings and opportunities to students. The BA in Global Studies is an interdisciplinary program that looks at the world holistically, examining the connections between international human migrations, the movement of goods, technology transfers, and environmental change. The Department offers a BS degree, BA degree, and a BA preparation for teaching in Environmental Studies in addition to the BA in Global Studies. We also offer a range of minors to students around campus, from environmental restoration to sustainable energy. For students wishing to go further, the Department offers one of the few research-based Master of Science degrees in Environmental Studies in the country.

Structure of the Environmental Studies BS, BA and MS Degrees

The undergraduate Environmental Studies degrees are structured around four components: 1) a preparation sequence; 2) core classes in Environmental Studies, which provide a solid foundation in environmental issues integrating science, social science, and the humanities; 3) an advisor-approved minor focused on a specific career pathway; and 4) electives. Electives may consist of classes both within and outside the department and generally require advance approved by an Environmental Studies faculty advisor. The Master of Science graduate degree is a thesis-based program that requires original research. Information on all aspects of these degrees is found on the advising sheets available in the department office in Washington Square Hall 118 and on the department website.

Programs

Undergraduate Major(s)

Undergraduate Minor(s)

Master(s)

Environmental Studies, MS

Certificate(s)

Two types of certificates are available: Advanced Certificates and Basic Certificates . The description of each certificate program identifies the type of certificate.

Global Citizenship Certificate

Courses

Environmental Studies

Global Studies