Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies prepares students for the interdisciplinary efforts needed to solve environmental problems. In both our BA and our minor, students learn skills and ideas from multiple academic disciplines. They experience the cross-disciplinary teamwork that generates effective environmental knowledge.

Protecting the environment: The ultimate team effort

Environmental studies overlap of disciplines. Four overlapping circles for social sciences, natural sciences, applied disciplines and humanities with the environmental studies title in the middle.

Because the environment is all-encompassing, protecting it calls for an interdisciplinary approach.

Environmental solutions require a dynamic outlook, multiple perspectives, and collaboration across academic disciplines.

That’s why Environmental Studies is different from other majors: it gives you a generalist training that includes the natural and social sciences, humanities, and applied disciplines.

Environmental Studies works well as a double major or a minor because it adds cross-disciplinary breadth to the single-disciplinary depth gained in another area of study.

Student Stories

"I chose Environmental Studies because I enjoy science and the environment. I love the interdisciplinary aspects of the major and how I'm able to focus on many different aspects ."

- Elise Wall

Majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geology

Class of 2024

"My favorite part of this major is the group-oriented work with a strong emphasis on environmental challenges."

- Gabe Jandebeur

Majoring in Chemical Biosciences and Environmental Studies

Class of 2025

"I hope to get a job in environmental policy at some point, and I think the degree makes my skills and interests clear."

- Olivia Porter

Majoring in Anthropology, Environmental Studies and Spanish with a minor in Portuguese

Class of 2024

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Information on our programs

_{OU Norman Land Acknowledgment}

_{Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.}

_{We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.}

_{Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.}

_{The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.}

_{For resources and a link to an Ally toolkit, follow this link.}