Take your pick of careers with a major in environmental studies
Everyone’s talking about the environment, from our rising oceans to the growing list of endangered animals. The versatile Eckerd College Environmental Studies program takes advantage of our stunning natural setting in Florida to explore some of the most pressing issues of our time. Led by passionate professors, you’ll look at how politics, economics, science, history, ethics and philosophy influence human behavior in the natural world.
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Outdoor classrooms
Report for class in the mangroves, freshwater marshes or palm hammock right on campus. Professors often make use of the many nearby keys, beaches, parks and wildlife areas as well.
Early research
Why wait for grad school to get research experience? Here you can help faculty study ospreys, local fishing attitudes, ecovillages or the economic valuation of local beaches.
Careers of all types
Our Environmental Studies majors go on to careers in teaching, natural resource management, urban design, natural resource law, environmental journalism and public health, as well as nature photography, filmmaking and art.
In Their Own Words
“The professors’ dedication to each student is amazing. As someone who had a lot to accomplish in four years, I felt as though I could count on my Environmental Studies professors and mentor to keep my goals at the forefront of my education. You’re never a number at Eckerd (except for what’s on your student I.D.) – you are always a human being who belongs to a name.”
– Kristina Krajcik ’12
Naturalist at YMCA of the East Bay
Beyond the Classroom
Work with our liberal arts professors on research topics ranging from estimating the economic value of the Sarasota Bay to using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to manage beach-nesting birds.
Recent internships have included:
- Vet assistant, Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
- Marine policy analyst, Environmental consulting firm
- Environmental writer, Florida Defenders of Wildlife
- Policy researcher, Sierra Club
- Graphic artist, ZooTampa
You can also join Eckerd’s Planet Forward chapter to publish stories on sustainability issues related to climate change, energy, food, water, and more.
Our Environmental Studies Opportunity Database aids students in their search for internship, research, and job opportunities!
Study biodiversity in Suriname, shark biology in the Bahamas or safari through the East African Rift Valley.
Study Abroad Pics on FlickrJoin the Pinellas County Osprey Monitoring Project or lend a hand with the campus organic garden, butterfly garden or yellow bikes program.
Service Pics on Flickr Learn more about Eckerd and our environmental studies program
Popular classes
Green Design
Apply basic design principles to product, building, neighborhood and energy system design with a focus on minimizing environmental impact.
Sustainable Cities
This course uses St. Petersburg as an urbanization model, giving students the background they need to develop their own research projects related to urban sustainability.
Facilities
Open to students 24/7, our Geographic Information System (GIS) Computer Lab has 10 high-end Global Positioning System (GPS) units for students use, 28 high-speed computers with large monitors and a state-of-the-art projection system. The computers feature professional-grade GIS and Remote Sensing software.
Our Environmental Biology Lab is equipped with microscopes, water sampling equipment, field work equipment, live traps, scales and other resources for wildlife research.
The Earth Science Lab features rock samples and sediment sampling equipment.
Outcomes
What can I do with an environmental studies degree?
- Environmental Art
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Law
- Landscape Architecture
- Natural Resource Management
- Nature Filmmaking
- Public Health
- Scientific Journalism
- Urban Planning
Where our environmental studies majors go to graduate school
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Brown University
- Cornell University
- Duke University – Nicholas School of the Environment
- Florida State University College of Law
- New York University School of Law
- Boston University
- Texas A&M University
- George Washington University
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Where our environmental studies majors go to work
- American Cancer Society
- Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery
- Carolina Ocean Studies
- Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Galapagos Conservancy
- ICF International
- Marathon Bio-Diesel
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Ocean Conservancy
- Tampa Bay Watch
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Eckerd College Environmental Studies news
- Eckerd College professor and her former student collaborate to publish a research paper on imperiled Florida shorebirds - December 7, 2023
- Eckerd senior turns squid parts—and other things—into fertilizer for College farm - November 21, 2023
- Eckerd College senior to teach STEM classes in Kenya as part of Peace Corps program - November 14, 2023
- Marine science professors and students find devastation, hope during climate change research in the Florida Keys - October 6, 2023
- Visiting professor encourages student involvement - October 3, 2023
- Eckerd College’s new farm manager has worked this ground before - June 23, 2023
