Programs & Departments:
Frequently Asked Questions
UCSB offers diverse opportunities to study the environment and get involved beyond the classroom. At the forefront of environmental education and research, UCSB is home to one of the nation's first and largest undergraduate environmental studies programs, as well as one of its top graduate schools for environmental science and management. Many other academic programs and departments also offer environmental courses and research opportunities.
Here are some frequently asked questions about environmental education at UCSB:
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How can I earn an environmental undergraduate degree at UCSB?
The Environmental Studies Program, founded in 1970, is one of the oldest and largest programs of its kind. Students can earn Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, or a more specialized BS degree in Hydrologic Science.
The Environmental Studies Program encourages its students to participate in research projects, elective courses, internships, study abroad programs, field courses, and any other academic opportunities to enhance their environmental education. Many Environmental Studies faculty are affiliated with other departments, fostering collaboration across disciplines.
How can I earn an environmental master's degree at UCSB?
The Bren School of Environmental Science & Management is UCSB’s multidisciplinary environmental graduate school. The Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) is a two-year professional degree program designed to prepare graduate students for the workforce.
Other units on campus offer terminal master's degrees with opportunities to focus on the environment or study with a faculty member who does so. Most UCSB masters degrees, however, are part of longer MA/PhD programs.
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How can I earn an environmental PhD at UCSB?
The Bren School’s PhD in Environmental Science and Management is an interdisciplinary degree track for environmental leaders to receive training and produce original research related to environmental problems and solutions. More than a dozen other departments offer doctoral degrees in which a student can specialize on an environmental topic. These include (but are not limited to) Geography, Sociology, History, Anthropology, English, Economics, Political Science, Global Studies, Film & Media Studies, Marine Science, Earth Science, and Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology.
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How can I receive training in environmental scholarship if I am already enrolled in a disciplinary doctoral program at UCSB?
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PhD students at UCSB may take environmental courses at the Bren School or in other units. UCSB offers two environmentally-focused interdepartmental PhD emphases, which function like minors for doctoral students.
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Which other academic units offer environmental courses?
Nearly every program or department on the UCSB campus offers some environmentally-related courses or opportunities. For a full list of these courses, click here.
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