Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
School: Environment and Natural Resources
The environment, economy, development and sustainability major is an interdisciplinary program that prepares you to tackle global challenges like sustainable development, resource scarcity and social inequality. You’ll learn how to design solutions that balance the needs of people, the planet and the economy, while gaining the skills to lead sustainability efforts in any job sector.
Explore other majors offered by the School of Environment and Natural Resources.
Admitted students are directly enrolled into this major. Students can bring some course requirements with them from high school when they enroll, such as:
- Biology 1101 or 1113: Biological Sciences (AP Biology - 3+ score)
- ENR 2100 and 2101: Intro to Environmental Science (AP Environmental Science - 3+ score)
- Economics 2001.01: Microeconomics (AP Economics: Microeconomics - 3+ score)
Additionally, students will take introductory courses in communicating environmental information, society and natural resources as well as geographic information systems.
This major empowers you to build a sustainable future through knowledge in economics, business management and community development. You’ll explore how communities and businesses can utilize their strengths to inspire a greener future. Courses include:
- Introduction to Sustainability in Business
- Community, Environment and Development
- Environmental and Natural Resources Economics
- Sustainability Metrics
- Energy, the Environment and the Economy
Customize your academic journey by focusing on one of these areas in the environment, economy, development and sustainability major:
- Community and International Development: Discover how to strengthen communities through inclusive planning and sustainable growth. You’ll explore how to work alongside local and global partners to create development strategies that protect natural resources while supporting livelihoods.
- Sustainability and Business: Lead the shift toward greener business practices. This track prepares you to help companies reduce their environmental impact, improve transparency and embed sustainability into their operations and long-term strategies.
- Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis: Use data and economic tools to shape smart environmental policies. You’ll learn how to evaluate the value of natural resources and contribute to decisions that influence regulations, markets and international agreements.
Students are encouraged to participate in programs led by the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Specifically, environment, economy, development and sustainability students may benefit from the Australia: Human Impacts on the Natural Environment program. With this program, students spend the month of May in North Queensland, Australia, surveying environmental issues including water scarcity and quality, the impacts of rising ocean temperatures, wildlife conservation and more.
Additionally, students in this major may benefit from the Fisher College of Business Sustainable Business Global Lab program. This spring break trip to Costa Rica visits one of the most environmentally progressive nations in the world. Through this program, students combine classroom learning and in-person business meetings to see firsthand how businesses address UN Sustainable Development Goals and tackle problems concerning sustainability in order to be a force for environmental and social good.
Environment, economy, development and sustainability students are not required to complete internships; however, they are strongly encouraged, as students who graduate with internship or research experiences are more likely to gain employment upon graduation. It is common for environment, economy, development and sustainability students to intern with companies to advance sustainability initiatives or with sustainability offices in local governments.
Students in this major are required to complete a capstone course their senior year in which they serve as consultants to university programs or external partners to provide recommendations to improve sustainability efforts. Capstone projects are a fantastic resume builder for students!
The School of Environment and Natural Resources career services office provides 1:1 support and organizes career development events for students.
The Environment and Natural Resources Honors program challenges high-ability students by providing a more in-depth academic experience. Students complete 18 credit hours of honors courses and a major-related experiential learning project, such as research. Freshmen with University Honors standing may be accepted directly as a candidate for the Environment and Natural Resources Honors program.
The Environment and Natural Resources Scholars program offers an opportunity for students to live and learn with other students who share interests in conservation, outdoor recreation and environmental issues. Students in the program are introduced to a variety of campus and community resources related to leadership, service, study abroad, internships, careers and research. The ENR scholars live together in Morrill Tower.
There are many opportunities across campus for students to participate in research. Whether your passions lie in promoting environmental behaviors or studying sustainability practices in business operations, there are plenty of labs across campus pursuing work in fields relevant to these areas. Relevant labs include:
There are 40+ organizations on campus related to the environment or outdoor recreation! Popular organizations among environmental policy and decision making students include:
95.4% of our graduates take their skills to the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Alternatively, they enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation. Recent job outcomes include:
- Renewables financial analyst: American Electric Power
- Environmental consultant: GT Environmental
- Systems and sustainability associate: ALDI USA
- Sustainability specialist: Amika
- Planning technician: City of Dublin, OH
New environment, economy, development and sustainability OSU graduates report an average starting salary of $55,000 at their first job. The sustainability sector continues to grow with new opportunities in government and corporate jobs.