Welcome to Hartwick Environmental Studies and Sustainability
WHY STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SUSTAINABILITY AT HARTWICK?
You care about the planet and want to be part of the solution. You’re curious about climate change, conservation, and how people and policy shape the world around us.
At Hartwick, environmental studies and sustainability help you explore how science, policy and people connect to solve real environmental challenges.
Through flexible, interdisciplinary coursework, you’ll shape your own path, gain hands-on experience and build skills that prepare you for careers focused on sustainability, conservation and making an impact.
WHAT SETS HARTWICK APART
- Build your own path with help from faculty who guide you in combining courses across science, business and policy.
- Explore focus areas like environmental health and safety, sustainable agriculture, environmental science or sustainability in business and policy.
- Complete a required internship, independent study or research project, plus a senior capstone working with faculty on real environmental challenges.
- Learn in small classes where professors know you and support your academic and career goals.
- Use Pine Lake as your outdoor classroom for fieldwork, research and real-world projects.
- Access internships, summer jobs and park ranger opportunities with New York State Parks.
- Earn career-ready skills like OSHA certification through applied coursework in environmental health and safety.
- Earn exclusive credentials as the only college in New York State approved for Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (ST/CHMM™) certification.
- Fast-track your future with a 4+1 option to earn a master’s degree in just one additional year.
- Get funding for research and internships through programs like the Pine Lake Environmental Research Scholars Award or the Environmental Internship Scholar Award.
Certifications and Credentials
OSHA Certification
HAZWOPER Certification
Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (ST/CHMM™)
Internships
Hartwick students regularly land internships at organizations such as:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- The New York City Watershed.
- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
- New York State Parks (F.O.R.C.E.S).
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- Town and County Government Offices.
- Renewable energy entities.
- Soil and water conservation districts.
CAREER OUTLOOK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SUSTAINABILITY MAJORS
Careers in sustainability and environmental fields continue to grow as organizations, governments and communities work to address climate change and protect natural resources. Graduates with training in environmental studies and sustainability are prepared to work across public, private and nonprofit sectors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in environmental and sustainability-related fields is projected to grow by about six percent over the next decade, reflecting increased demand for professionals who can solve complex environmental challenges.
CAREER PATHS
A background in environmental studies and sustainability can lead to careers such as:
- Environmental consulting.
- Environmental conservation and park services.
- Environmental health and safety.
- Government agencies such as the EPA, USDA and Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Policy and environmental law.
- Sustainable agriculture and resource management.
- Outdoor education and environmental education.
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations.
Students often pair this major with biology, business, economics, political science, art or education.
HARTWICK ALUMNI LAND SUCCESSFUL CAREERS
Tarrah Skye Smith ’21 is a naturalist at YMCA Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek, California, and educates students about climate and ecosystems.
Tyler White ’21 took on a position as a senior engineering technician with the New York State Department of Transportation.
Connor Hart ’19 is a senior site specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Gales Ferry, Conn.
Other alumni have gone on to roles in:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
- Environmental and geoscience consulting firms and agencies.
- Sustainability and energy roles with regional and national organizations.
- Environmental law.
- Sustainable agriculture.
- National and state parks.
Graduates also continue their education across a wide range of fields at leading institutions, including:
- Columbia University (Sustainability Management)
- University of Pennsylvania (Environmental Studies)
- Chatham University (Food Science)
- Charleston School of Law
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- Build a foundation in environmental science, sustainability and how human behavior shapes environmental outcomes.
- Explore topics like climate change, soil science, sustainable agriculture and environmental justice.
- Develop problem-solving skills through fieldwork, internships and hands-on projects.
- Apply your knowledge to real-world issues such as water quality, invasive species and environmental policy.
- Conduct research and present your findings through a senior project at Student Showcase.
4+1 Programs in Sustainability
Our 4+1 programs in sustainability with Glasgow Caledonian New York College allows you to earn a bachelor’s from Hartwick in four years and a Master of Science in Business for Social Impact and Sustainability, or a Master of Science in Sustainable Fashion in one year of intensive study.
Learn MoreThree-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program
Ready to move faster? Get the full Hartwick environment, sustainability & society, experience in three-quarters the time at three-quarters the cost.
Learn MoreSEE YOURSELF IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SUSTAINABILITY?
Learn more about environmental studies and sustainability at Hartwick and discover how hands-on learning, flexible pathways and real-world experience can help you explore your interests and make an impact.