Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy examines the human dimensions of environmental problems. It addresses such issues as how human actions affect the environment; how societies adapt to changes in natural resource availability; and how individuals, nations, and international agencies respond to environmental hazards. Students should be prepared to deal with local, regional, and national differences in the use of resources; social and environmental aspects of health and illness; alternative strategies for environmental management; the ethical, moral, and legal dimensions of environmental and resource issues; and the roles of governmental and non-governmental agencies in environmental affairs.

Recommended Minors

  • Political Science - equips students to understand political life, to be effective citizens, and to achieve positions of political leadership.
  • Economics - prepares students to be able to apply the theory of economic issues and policies.
  • Sociology - studies groups, the ways people behave in groups and how an individual's attitudes and actions are influenced by them.
  • Psychology -  courses can complement their overall liberal arts education.

Types of Employers

Non-Profit and Private

  • Agricultural organizations
  • Chemical manufacturers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Dairy industry
  • Environmental consulting firms
  • Food and beverage companies
  • Food marketing chains
  • Insurance companies
  • Seed and grain corporations

Government Agencies

  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Agronomy
  • Bureau of Economics
  • Department of Energy
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Department of Transportation
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Food and Drug Administration

Environmental Studies Graduates' Positions 

  • Project Coordinator - Great Plains Institute
  • Process Analyst - Agstar Financial Services
  • Environmental Consulting Associate - Vieau Associates Inc.
  • Protection Specialist - Environmental Protection Agency
  • Environmental Consultant - (Kate Sinner)
  • The Nature Conservency - Lobbyist - (Stephanie Pinkalla)
  • Environmental Health Specialist - Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health - (Sophia Walsh)