BA in Environmental Studies
Lawrence Township, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 61,215 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international applicants studying in country | international applicants studying out of country: 15 june 2025
** for living on campus | living at home: 43,515 USD per year
This program features a broad and challenging curriculum with foundational courses in environmental and geosciences, including chemistry, physics, and biology, followed by more in-depth coursework focused on the environmental and social sciences.
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies is designed to meet the interests of students wishing to address environmental issues through multiple disciplinary perspectives, including relevant sciences as well as social and political aspects. The program is meant for students who are interested in careers in environmental policy, advocacy, justice, nonprofit organizations, ecotourism, and other related career opportunities, or graduate school in non-science-focused environmental disciplines, for example, environmental law.
Note: This B.A. program is not designed to prepare students for graduate-level science programs, nor is it designed to enable students to gain employment as professional scientists. Consider the B.S. in Environmental Sciences if you plan to pursue either of these career paths.
Put theory into practice
Uncover knowledge with rich, hands-on experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. Through internships, field experiences, and research, you’ll apply the concepts and theories learned in an academic setting to the real world and acquire the knowledge and skills required for a wide range of potential careers.
Rider’s financial aid office works with families to ensure an undergraduate education is affordable at every income level. Scholarship and aid award offers are customized to fit your unique financial circumstances.
To get a full picture of the scholarships, grants, and other aid that you may be eligible to receive, apply to Rider and transmit your FAFSA using federal school code 002628. Merit-based scholarships and aid are automatically awarded when you apply, and once we receive your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid can help identify additional resources to fund your education.
Scholarships and Awards
The scholarships below are competitive and are typically awarded based on a comprehensive review of the student's academic record, including cumulative high school GPA, rigor of academic course selection, test scores, and auditions (if applicable), and other supporting credentials.
| Scholarships Awards | Award Range | Maximum value over 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based scholarships | $14,000 - $27,000 annually | Variable based on financial aid offer. Students who meet the criteria and qualifications for a scholarship automatically receive the award upon admission to Rider. No additional scholarship application is required. |
To be considered for a merit-based academic scholarship, you must:
- Apply to Rider: Submit your completed application for admission, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (unless applying test-optional), essay, and one letter of recommendation by January 15. (Note: the final deadline is November 15th for all Musical Theatre and Acting applicants.)
- Rider offers Test-optional Admission, which means SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission and most scholarships at Rider. Test-optional applicants will be given full consideration for most merit-based scholarships.
- Are you a high achiever? Students with a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT/28+ ACT score may be eligible to receive the maximum merit-based scholarship offer of $27,000. You must submit your SAT/ACTs to Rider in order to qualify for this award level.
- Complete an audition, if required (audition results are a factor in scholarship awards).
- Be regularly admissible to the University as a full-time student.
- Have a minimum cumulative academic 2.7 GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale.
For New Jersey residents, the Rider Tuition Guarantee:
Rider guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students! If you're a New Jersey resident with a GPA of 3.5 or above based on a 4.0 grading scale, an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and are receiving both full TAG and Pell grants, you may be eligible to attend Rider University tuition-free when you apply as an undergraduate student for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 start terms. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and aid opportunities.
The curriculum for this major focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of the environment by offering classes that give students a strong basis of science preparatory material while also offering a unique, hands-on approach to learning. Students take introductory courses in foundational classes in environmental and geology, chemistry, physics, and biology, followed by more in-depth coursework focused on the environmental sciences as well as social and political disciplines.
Major Requirements
Geological, Environmental, and Marine Sciences
Complete all of the following:
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Introduction to Environmental Sciences Lab
- Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences and Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences Lab
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Weather and Climate Change
- Earth Systems Science, or Environmental Geology
- Earth Materials and Processes Lab
GEMS Upper Level Elective
Select one of the following:
- Global Biogeochemistry and Global Biogeochemistry Lab
- Field Methods and Data Analysis
- Soil and Surficial Processes and Soil and Surficial Processes Lab
- Hydrology and Water Resources and Hydrology and Water Resources Lab
Biology
Complete all of the following:
- Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab
- Principles of Biology II and Principles of Biology II Lab
- Select one of the following higher-level courses:
- General Ecology and General Ecology Lab
- Marine Ecology and Marine Ecology Lab
Chemistry
Complete all of the following:
- Principles of Chemistry
- Principles of Chemistry Lab
Mathematics
Select one of the following. The course selected will also satisfy the CAS core requirement:
- Algebra and Trigonometry
- Precalculus
- Calculus I
Physics
Complete all of the following:
- Principles of Physics I
- Principles of Physics I Lab
Policy and Humanities
Select five of the following:
- Technology and Science in America
- Honors Seminar: The Environment: A Conflict of Interest
- Literature and the Environment
- Nature's Business
- Social Philosophy
- Environmental Ethics
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Global Politics
- Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
- Environmental Politics
- Comparative Environmental Policy
- Geopolitics of Energy
Graduates of the Environmental Studies major will be able to:
- The student can combine relevant data with scientific principles to compose an explanation of natural phenomena in environmental studies.
- The student can use physical, chemical, and biological characteristics to identify materials or organisms that form the foundation of their discipline.
- The student can properly use technical equipment and associated techniques to collect, organize, and interpret field data.
- The student can identify, find, evaluate, and use information to produce scientific reports, both written and orally, for scientific research and communication.
Rider environmental studies graduates possess a solid foundation to enter career opportunities in environmental policy, advocacy, justice, nonprofit organizations, and more. Students also continue their career development in graduate school, studying non-science-focused environmental studies and other disciplines.
Common careers:
- Environmental policy specialist
- Environmental lawyer
- Environmental studies professor
- Sustainability specialist
- Urban and regional planner
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