Two men taking a sample from a stream in the field

Environmental Studies

orange sprite

Pursue Environmental Studies at Fordham

About the environmental studies major

At Fordham, you’ll have the unique opportunity to pursue environmental studies in New York City—one of the world’s most vibrant hubs for environmental education and policy.

As an environmental studies major, you’ll explore the causes, effects, and tangible solutions to the climate and environmental crises. Study both science and the humanities with a focus on policy change. Conduct hands-on research with our industry partners like the New York Botanical Garden. And use your knowledge and real-world experience to tackle the most pressing environmental issues of our time, from climate change to building sustainable societies.

Our graduates go on to …

  • law school and prestigious graduate programs
  • global research organizations
  • careers in environmental policy, urban planning, and sustainable business

Visit the environmental studies department page

Female student placing a sample into a conainter in the field

Environmental studies program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Rose Hill CampusMinor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center
  • Lincoln Center CampusMinor
    Lincoln Center

orange sprite

Program at a glance

88%

of environmental studies graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation

22%

of environmental studies graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees

113 acres

of protected forest, lake, and wetland ecosystems at Fordham’s Louis Calder Center biological field station, providing a living laboratory for funded ecological and environmental research

10+

Career Tracks

involving electives, internships, study abroad, and thesis research, including environmental economics and sustainable business, public health, organic agriculture and food security, and environmental law

265 acres

of the neighboring Bronx Zoo and partnerships with the Wildlife Conservation Society serve as a direct research pipeline for biology professor J. Alan Clark’s research on penguin social behavior, avian vocalizations, and conservation laws

100+

possibilites for environmental science majors to study aboard, including sustainability in Denmark, tropical ecology and conservation in Costa Rica, coastal ecology in Tanzania, Amazon resource management and cultural ecology in Brazil, and environmental studies in China

orange sprite

Making a sustainable impact

Amelia Medved works on a project at SCAPE Landscape Architecture

Designing a Career in Landscape Architecture                    

Amelia Medved created her own path with a double major in environmental studies and visual arts. See how she landed a job in landscape architecture at a renowned firm in NYC.

Lillian Hertel at home in Minnesota.

A Voyager for Climate Change                    

Lillian Hertel’s passion for sustainability led her to double major in political science and environmental studies. Read about how she became the first Ram to earn the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for public service—and plans to pursue climate law abroad.

Nicola G. D’Abundo

Then and Now: Graduates Look Back                    

Was it the classes, the community, or the city itself? (Or all three?) Discover the moments that shaped these Rams and their futures.

Members of the SEAJ club pose at the club fair

Want a Greener Future? Join the Club                    

Fordham’s environmental clubs help promote sustainability through local cleanups, policy advocacy, and community gardening. See how these student-led initiatives create a greener campus and lasting impact.

Chomri Khayi (left), land manager at Fordham's Calder Center, stands in a tall-grass field with a student.

Green Degrees to Fight Climate Change                    

Looking for a college major that will help you be a part of the climate movement? Here are eight “green” degrees with a focus on sustainability and environmental action.

orange sprite

Environmental studies program FAQs

  • You’ll gain a solid understanding of the complex scientific, economic, political, and ethical interactions and processes that create our home on Earth.

    With many specialized tracks, you’ll be able to dive deeper into areas you’re interested in. You might examine historical and cultural aspects with courses like Hazards, Disasters, and Human Experience and Environmental History of the American City, or explore sustainable architecture with courses like Ecology for Designers and Architecture and the Environment.

  • You’ll be able to conduct cutting-edge research on campus at our Center for Urban Ecology and at our 113-acre biological field station, the Louis Calder Center. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in collaborative projects with the Bronx Research Institute for Community Solutions (BRICS), working toward sustainable solutions for the community.

  • Here, you’ll have unparalleled access to opportunities and connections at some of the top medical, ecological, and conservation organizations, like:

    • Bronx River Alliance 
    • Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society
    • New York Botanical Garden
    • American Museum of Natural History
    • Environmental Consortium of Hudson River Colleges and Universities
    • Weill Cornell Medicine

  • When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for careers in areas like environmental policy, sustainable development, organic agriculture, and urban planning, to name a few. You’ll also be uniquely qualified to pursue prestigious postgraduate research.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As an environmental studies major, you’ll be able to use AI to advance your own research, preparing you for high-growth roles in areas like satellite analysis and energy grid optimization. You’ll also examine the environmental effects of AI and explore solutions for cleaner energy and more responsible usage.

    You’ll be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, experimentation, and integrity.

Apply

Plan Your Visit

orange sprite

Contact Us 

No matter where you are in your college search, we're here to answer your questions, help you learn more about Fordham, and support you through the admission process.

E-mail us

Visit and Chat with us

Connect with us on social media

Request Information

Loading...