Environment, Sustainability & Society
OVERVIEW OF THE INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR
The interdisciplinary major in Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ENSS) combines classes in the humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences to offer students a broad base of study. At the same time, students explore areas of interest and prepare for careers through an internship and a research project about real-world issues shaping modern sustainable and environmental issues and practices.
Please note: Hartwick College focuses on offering fall, January, and spring term undergraduate courses in person, however, circumstances may require us to offer a small number of courses in this department through distance education. In times of emergency, following regulatory guidelines, all classes may temporarily need to be delivered through distance education, including online. We also offer a slate of courses online in the summer to help our students make progress toward their degrees. With support from an academic advisor, students needing particular courses may have other online options as well. If you have questions about the way courses are delivered in your program, please contact your Department or Program Chair.
WHY MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SOCIETY?
By completing a degree in Environment, Sustainability, and Society, students will gain a competitive foothold in an expanding job market in “green careers.” In recent years the need for employees with degrees in environmental areas and sustainability has been increasing.
Students can find jobs in diverse areas such as:
Conservation or education specialist for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation;
Non-profit organizations focusing on sustainability, farming, or environmental issues;
Green urban planner working with municipal governments to reduce GHG emissions;
Forest ranger in the Adirondack or Catskill Park.
Director of sustainability or chief sustainability officer for an organization or company;
Green energy specialist;
Environmental education;
Environmental public relations.
Ecotourism;
Environmental engineering;
Other new and emerging fields.