About
The Sustainable Development (BA) - Environmental Studies degree at Appalachian State University introduces students to innovative modes of interdisciplinary scholarship in this field; fosters leadership in sustainability and effective environmental citizenship; promotes ecological literacy; and provides students with the opportunity to self-design a concentration that matches their interests and career goals.
The BA degree has self-designed focus and skills areas. It requires foreign language courses and a minor. This is one of four degree options in the Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University. The others are Sustainable Development (BS) - Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development (BS) - Community, Regional and Global Development, Sustainable Development (BS) - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture.
After Graduation
Employment: Graduates work across a broad spectrum of sustainability-oriented careers, including environmental public policy, sustainability education, watershed conservation, agritourism, park service, and non-profits. See a list of employers in the right column.
Graduate school: Other students pursue graduate study in a variety of programs, including international development, political science, history, environmental law, food systems, sustainable tourism, wildlife management, urban planning, and the ministry.
People
Related Programs
Minors
9 semester hours of a minor are required. The selection must be approved by the student’s advisor.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
SDSA (Sustainable Development Student Alliance) — Supports a variety of student-led community-building and sustainability-oriented projects on campus and in the local community.
Sustainable Development Teaching and Research Farm — 35 acres of pasture, 130 acres woodlot and woodlands, a large greenhouse, late 19th-century barn, and a student residence where five or six agroecology students live and work.
Blue Ridge Conservancy Appalachian State University Campus Chapter — Works to permanently protect land and water resources with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational and scenic value in the Northwest North Carolina. Activities include trail clean-ups, hikes, guest speakers and more.
Global Learning
App State is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
The Department of Sustainable Department offers occasional faculty-led study abroad programs, through which students learn about rural livelihood strategies and conservation issues related to sustainable development.
Admission Requirements
There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.
Why Appalachian?
- Appalachian’s Sustainable Development program is the oldest program in the country, and its interdisciplinary focus sets it apart from other schools.
- All students get to study and work on Appalachian’s Teaching and Research Farm, one of the largest sustainable agriculture teaching-research farms in the country.
- Internships are highly encouraged. Host sites include: Environmental Protection Agency, Blue Ridge Conservancy, organic and sustainable farms, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, Appalachian Voices, and other green organizations across the U.S.
- The Department of Sustainable Development works with a number of community outreach projects, from the Civic Gardening Project to its Sustainable Farming Resource Center and a farm-to-school support network.
Location
Boone campus only
Careers
- Consumer Researcher
- Environmental Impact Analyst
- Environmental Quality Specialist
- Ethnic Groups Special Concerns Advocate
- Fund raiser
- Grant writer
- Health Services Organization Manager
- Housing Development Specialist
- Natural Resources Specialist
- Park Ranger
- Public Health Worker
- Rural Development Worker
- Urban Planner
- Community Organizer
- Grassroots Organizer Neighborhood Planner
- NGO Director Historic Preservationist
- International Relief Representative Museum Curator/Researcher
- National Natural Landmarks Officer
- Environmental Researcher
View more career possibilities
Employers
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- New River Organic Growers
- Grass to Greens
- PECI
- Organic Growers School
- Green Opportunities
- Cedar International School
- Belk Inc.
- County governments
- AmeriCorps
- Peace Corps
Contacts
College of Fine and Applied Arts
Department of Sustainable Development
Dr. Jennifer Westerman
Department Chair
westermanjh@appstate.edu
828-262-7248