Sweet Briar offers the Environmental Studies major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, the Environmental Science major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, and minors in both. Both degrees provide you with a strong interdisciplinary foundation on which to build your environmental expertise and are designed to allow students to study abroad for up to a year. The minors are designed to be accessible to students in any major who wish to add an environmental element to their chosen field.

The Environmental Studies major is a flexible, multidisciplinary program focusing on the relationships between people and the environment. Each student completes basic science and social science requirements, and then chooses from concentrations in environmental policy, global issues or biodiversity conservation, allowing you to further specialize in any number of disciplines. Because the core is small, you have ample opportunity to complete a formal minor in a related science or social science field.

The Environmental Science major is a strong, science-oriented program focusing on the impacts of human activity on the environment. If your primary interests are in the natural or physical sciences, then this program is designed for you. Although less flexible than Environmental Studies, this program provides a strong natural and physical science foundation and solid, hands-on experience in advanced environmental science analysis.

Both programs are rigorous and challenging, preparing you with the practical tools and skills needed to enter graduate school or move directly into your chosen profession. In either major, expect to develop the analytical instincts of a scientist, the assessment skills of an economist, the finesse of a politician, the word craft of a legal scholar, and the heart of a humanist.

When you complete an environmental degree at Sweet Briar College, you won't just have a piece of paper, you will be a skilled professional ready to contribute to the world. Follow the photo links on the right for more details on each degree program.

Environmental students and Dr. Orvos search for Elvis at Graceland.