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Environmental Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Learn about our physical world, and pursue solutions to some of its biggest challenges, with the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. This 123-credit, interdisciplinary undergraduate program, offered by the Department of Geography and Urban Studies, provides students with the tools needed to address crucial environmental issues, including climate change, environmental justice, food access, health, natural resource consumption and sustainability.

In the Environmental Studies program, you’ll strengthen your writing, communication and research skills, and learn technical skills in geographic information systems and mapping software. Your courses and research will expand your knowledge of subjects like

  • environmental policies and decision making;
  • global climate change;
  • environmental justice; 
  • health and the environment; 
  • natural hazards and risk assessment; and more.

You can design your career path by developing a personalized curriculum that focuses on one or more of the following themes.

  • Geographic methods
  • Globalization 
  • Social justice
  • Sustainability 

The Environmental Studies BA prepares students for careers in several fields including consulting, corporate environmental affairs, domestic and international nonprofit organizations, government environmental agencies, and more. Students also advance to graduate studies in environmental studies, law, planning and policy.

Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems 

In this 12-credit certificate, students receive an introduction to information technology and spatial analysis. You’ll work directly with mapping, statistical and visualization software, and learn to manipulate data sets and spatially display those results. Learn more about the Geographic Information Systems Undergraduate Certificate.

College of Liberal Arts honors students in the classroom.

Classes & Curriculum

The Environmental Studies BA is a 123-credit program that can be completed over four years of full-time study. Environmental-focused electives give students the opportunity to develop an area of emphasis around their particular interests. 

The following are examples of required and elective courses students can take in the Environmental Studies BA program. 

  • Environment and Society
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
  • Geography of Natural Resources
  • Physical Geography
  • Research Design in Environmental Studies
  • Spatial Statistics

Learn more about Environmental Studies Major required courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

*College of Science and Technology
**Tyler School of Art and Architecture

4+1 Dual Degree Programs

The Geographic Information Systems PSM accelerated degree is open to all students. It combines advanced training in geographic information systems (GIS) core skills with professional development and business ethics to prepare students to enter the GIS workforce. Students can apply for the accelerated degree between second semester sophomore year and first semester senior year.

Learn more about the +1 BA/BS and Professional Science Master’s in Geographic Information Systems.

The Geography and Urban Studies MA accelerated degree is open to Geography and Urban Studies and Environmental Studies majors. It prepares students for further graduate study, as well as for professional positions related to urban and economic development, environmental sustainability and social justice. Students can apply as early as the second semester of their sophomore year for entry in their junior year, or they can apply as late as the second semester of their junior year for entry during their senior year. 

Learn more about the +1 BA in Geography and Urban Studies or Environmental Studies and MA in Geography and Urban Studies.

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $19,608.00 per year
Out-of-state: $35,232.00 per year

Our Academic Advisors

College of Liberal Arts academic advisors help you navigate your curriculum and potential career paths throughout your time at Temple.

Liz Janczewski is the advisor for the Environmental Studies Major.
Phone: 215-204-3386
Email: 

Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development

Dedicated advisors at the Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development in the College of Liberal Arts are available to guide students through their academic careers and with their career paths beyond Temple. They can help you choose a major, navigate your curriculum, identify internship opportunities, explore career opportunities and determine your post-graduation plans. Learn more about the center.

Program Contact

For questions regarding the Geography and Urban Studies Major, contact the following staff members.

Kevin Henry is the chair.
Email: 

Jeremy Mennis is the undergraduate chair.
Phone: 215-204-4748
Email:

Liz Janczewski is the coordinator.
Phone: 215-204-3386 
Email:

University Honors Program

The College of Liberal Arts participates in Temple’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and how to be admitted. 

Students who meet certain academic and extracurricular criteria may become members of the following honor societies. 

  • Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year at college.
  • Golden Key is an international society that enables members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. 
  • Phi Beta Kappa is open to juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts. To qualify for Phi Beta Kappa, a student must maintain a high grade point average in a broad, rigorous program of study in the liberal arts, including mathematics and foreign languages.

Learn more about Temple’s honor societies.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Supplement your College of Liberal Arts coursework and enhance your undergraduate experience at Temple with more than 300 student clubs and organizations. You’ll have opportunities to meet and network with other students, get involved with the community, grow your interests, and develop résumé-boosting skills and experiences.

The following student organizations may be of interest to students in the Environmental Studies program.

Students in the Environmental Studies Major program are also encouraged to get involved with Temple’s Office of Sustainability, which focuses on advancing sustainable academic initiatives and research, creating a sustainable campus environment and culture, and facilitating outreach and engagement on key environmental issues. 

Learn more about Temple’s student clubs and organizations.

Study Away

College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students are encouraged to study away for an academic year, semester or summer. Enrich your Temple experience by immersing yourself in new cultures, histories and perspectives in countries such as China, Germany, Ghana and Italy, as well as at Temple’s Rome and Tokyo campuses.

Learn more about your options for studying away. 

Accreditation

The Department of Africology and African American Studies is accredited by the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS). NCBS was established in 1975 by African American scholars who recognized the need to formalize the study of the African experience, as well as expand and strengthen academic units and community programs devoted to this endeavor.

Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additional Program Information