College Catalog: 2014-2015

The Environmental Studies program prepares students to help create a sustainable world through participation in government, business, and civil society.  Our students become leaders in building a society that balances the needs of people today with those of future generations, while promoting environmental justice and ecological integrity.  Our focus spans the spectrum from local to global, with an emphasis on hands-on participatory implementation.  The Environmental Studies major has maintained this positive vision for nearly four decades at Ramapo College.  Recent college actions such as the building of the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, Ramapo’s signing of the Presidents Climate Commitment, and the development of the Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies demonstrate that our sustainability mission remains central to the college. The major builds upon foundational coursework in environmental science, earth science, biology, and world sustainability.  Intermediate level courses stress principles of breadth and timely practice placed in historical, social, and policy context, and focus on public policy, environmental history, energy and society, and field ecology.  A diverse choice of upper-division courses provide students with the opportunity to tailor their education according to their interests; some may focus on water or park management, while others may focus on environmental policy and regulation.  Two 400-level capstone courses prepare students to do advanced research, work in groups, and produce comprehensive documents regarding environmental impacts and policy issues.  Overall, the program offers opportunities for collaborative learning through internships, co-ops, active student groups such as 1STEP and the Environmental Alliance, field classes, and study abroad opportunities such as Spring semester in South India. Some graduates go on to earn advanced degrees in environmental law and other fields, while others work for regulatory agencies, state and national parks, open-space organizations, consulting firms, and corporations.  Some operate small farms or businesses in alternative energy production; still others have become teachers, as the program can be coordinated with teacher education certification in social studies or earth science.  Students develop a sense of community, and acquire the skills to make lifelong contributions to a more sustainable society.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below. Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible. Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement (six courses):  three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing, and Readings in the Humanities; the other three courses are taken in the major.
4. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MAJOR

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

1. At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR

General Education Requirements Four Year Plan Graduation Requirements Sharp Sustainability Education Center Website School of Social Science and Human Services Website Faculty Profiles