Environmental Studies (BA)

Study the natural and social sciences to understand human relationships with the natural environment. Learn about sustainability issues in the management of land and water, the formulation of environmental policy, and how improved decision-making can manage resources, protect the environment and ensure a healthy future. You can learn how to use geographic information systems (GIS) and crewless aerial vehicles to develop your applied skills.

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Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Career-Ready Curriculum
    Design and conduct original research projects in diverse settings, including provincial parks and northern Canada. Develop sought-after skills in geographic information systems (GIS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
  • Top Tier Faculty
    Work with internationally recognized experts in biodiversity, climate change adaptation, Indigenous ecological knowledge, and sustainable food systems.
  • Extensive Lab and Field Experience
    There’s nothing like hands-on experience to solidify your learning and round out your resume, so you’ll spend lots of time in the lab and in your upper years, you can participate in field courses.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Co-op
    You can apply to co-op at the end of first year, and complete three four-month work terms over the course of your four-year degree.
  • Capstone Urban Sustainability Project (CUSP)
    Engage in a yearlong consultation project with the City of Cambridge through CUSP, tackling urban planning and development issues with sustainable solutions. Collaborate with peers and apply skills in project management, communication, and community engagement.
  • Tackle Real-World Issues
    Collaborate with professional planners in a second-year course where you'll join a consulting team working with professional planners to develop sustainability initiatives for Waterloo Region's rural communities, gaining hands-on experience in real-world environmental challenges.

Courses, Options and Pathways

Courses

Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.

Program Options

Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

Environmental Studies graduates can work in the areas of environmental assessment, research and monitoring, land-use planning, parks and protected areas, resource management and policy making.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • chief ecologist
  • corporate sustainability officer
  • economic development planner
  • environmental consultant
  • field technician
  • land use planner/surveyor
  • map analyst
  • natural resources officer
  • public policy analyst
  • urban planner
  • water efficiency assistant water resources specialist

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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99%employment rate for co‑op students – 2024 / 2025

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Center for World University Rankings

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2024

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2024

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot. With more than 60 programs in arts, science, business and music, you can customize your degree, gain hands-on learning opportunities and join in the community beyond the classroom.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

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Delivered In Person

Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.

You can complete your program primarily through in-person courses where you will attend classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses. 

Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.  

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?