Environmental Thought and Practice

Environmental Thought and Practice at the University of Virginia offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare students for impactful careers in environmental fields. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and practical skills necessary to address complex environmental challenges faced by society today. Students engage with a diverse array of courses spanning environmental science, philosophy, policy, history, and community engagement, fostering a well-rounded understanding of environmental issues from multiple perspectives. The curriculum encourages active participation in research, innovative projects, and community-based initiatives, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Through experiential learning opportunities such as fieldwork, internships, and service projects, students gain valuable hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in environmental advocacy, policy-making, sustainability, and education. The program also promotes an understanding of social justice, cultural diversity, and the ethical responsibilities associated with environmental stewardship, emphasizing sustainable practices and the importance of equitable solutions. Faculty members are experts from various disciplines who mentor students to develop their critical inquiry and practical skills. Upon graduation, students are equipped to contribute effectively to environmental policymaking, community organizing, research, or further academic pursuits. The program aims to cultivate environmentally conscious leaders who will drive positive change and foster a sustainable future. Through its rigorous academic offerings combined with experiential learning, the Environmental Thought and Practice program at the University of Virginia prepares students to become innovative thinkers and proactive practitioners dedicated to protecting and improving our environment for future generations.

Prerequisites

All four prerequisite courses listed below are required for Environmental Thought and Practice majors. In order to apply for the major students must be enrolled in, or have already completed, at least two of the four prerequisite classes:

1. ECON 2010 Microeconomics
2. Any Environmental Sciences class other than those taken to meet the core or Natural Science area requirements
3. One of the following Statistics classes: STAT 1120, 2120, STAT 2020, SOC 3110, SOC 3130, ECON 3710 (requires MATH 1210 or equivalent), ECON 3720, EVSC 5030 (requires MATH 1110, STAT 2120, or equivalent), MATH 3120 (requires MATH 3100), or APMA 3120 (requires APMA 3100 or equivalent), or PSYC 3005/3006 (taken together) 
4. PLAN 1010 Introduction to Community and Environmental Planning OR ETP 2020 / ARCH 5150/2150 / COMM 3880 / ENGR 2595 / EVSC 2559 Global Sustainability OR RELG 2210

Core courses

The following core courses are required of all majors.

1. EVSC 2030/ETP 2030/PLAP 2030 Politics, Science, and Values: Introduction to Environmental Policy (fall only)
2. Either EVSC 2800/2801 (Physical Geology) or EVSC 3200/3201 (Fundamentals of Ecology) or EVSC 3600/3601 (Physical Hydrology) or EVSC 3300/3301 (Atmosphere and Weather). EVSC 3200, 3600, and 3300 all require one semester of calculus; EVSC 2800 recommends one semester of chemistry; EVSC 3200 recommends one semester each of chemistry and biology; EVSC 3300 recommends one semester of physics with lab.
3. ETP 4010 Environmental decisions (majors only, taken in spring of 4th year) (spring only)

Electives

Each student must also choose seven (7) classes distributed across the three areas indicated below, with the restriction that at least two (2) classes must be taken in Area I (Values, Culture, and History) and at least one (1) class must be taken in each of Areas II and III (two classes are required in Area I because there are no such classes in the core curriculum).

We recommend checking SIS frequently for environmentally-themed courses, as courses often come and go. Students who wish to have classes not specified here counted against their ETP elective requirements must submit their request plus the full course syllabus to Professor Thomson.  Please give this information to Professor Thomson during her office hours or leave it in her Clark Hall mailbox. ETP elective courses must be upper-level or graduate three- or four-credit classes and they must have environmental concerns as the central focus.  Requests to count courses that do not meet these basic requirements will not be considered.

I. Values, Culture, and History

If approved by one of the ETP Program Directors, students may count one related 3000-, 4000-, or 5000-level class in History, Anthropology, Philosophy, English, Religious Studies, Landscape Architecture, or Science, Technology, and Society against the two-class requirement for this area.

• AAS 3250 - MotherLands: Landscapes of Hunger, Futures of Plenty Credits: 3
• ANTH 3340 - Ecology and Society: An Introduction to the New Ecological Anthropology Credits: 3
• ANTH 5590 - The Nature of Nature  Credits: 3
• ENMC 3500 - Jungle Stories Credits: 3
• GDS 3112 - Ecology and Globalization in the Age of European Expansion Credits: 3
• or HIST 3112 - Ecology and Globalization in the Age of European Expansion 
• LAR 4120 - History of Landscape Design I Credits: 3
• LAR 4130 - History of Landscape Design II Credits: 3
• LAR 4140 - Theories of Modern Landscape Architecture Credits: 3
• LAR 5230 - Cultural Landscapes Credits: 3
• LAW 9158 - Literature, Law and the Environment
• HIST 2559 - Global Environmental History
• or
• SEMS 3500 - Global Environmental History  Credits: 3
• IHGC 5559 - The Moral Ecology of Food  Credits: 3
• MDST 4559 - Global Environmental Media
• PLAN 5840 - Environmental Ethics and Sustainability  Credits: 3
• RELG 3820 - Global Ethics & Climate Change Credits: 3

II. Policy, Planning, and Society

Students may fulfill their one-class requirement for this track by taking any one of the following specific classes (there are no prerequisites for these upper-level Planning classes):

If approved by one of the ETP Program Directors, students may take one related 3000-, 4000-, or 5000-level course in Economics, Government and Foreign Affairs, Sociology, the Law School, Darden, or Urban and Environmental Planning to meet the overall seven-course elective requirement, but not to meet the basic one-class requirement for this area.

The College allows students to count 18 credits of classes in other schools toward the 120-credit graduation requirement.

• COMM 4821 - Managing Sustainable Development Credits: 3
• COMM 4822 - Invest in Sustainable Future Credits: 3
• ECON 4430 - Environmental Economics Credits: 3
• ETP 4810 - Class Race & the Environment Credits: 3

• or

• PLAP 4810 - Class, Race, and the Environment Credits: 3
• ETP 4800 - Politics of the Environment Credits: 3

• or

• PLAP 4800 - Politics of the Environment Credits: 3
• EVSC 4030 - Environmental Policymaking in the United States Credits: 3
• PLAN 3030 - Neighborhoods, Community and Regions Credits: 3
• PLAN 3060 - Law, Land and the Environment Credits: 3
• PLAN 3860 - Cities and Nature Credits: 3
• PLAN 4040 - Planning in Government Credits: 3
• PLAN 5620 - Sustainability and Adaptive Infrastructure  Credits: 3
• PLAN 5810 - Sustainable Communities  Credits: 3
• PLAN 5830 - Environmental Policy and Planning  Credits: 3
• PPOL 3280 - Urban Environmental Policy Credits: 3
• STS 2500 - Science and Technology in Social and Global Context Credits: 3

III. Natural Science

Any 3000- or 4000-level EVSC course. If approved by one of the ETP Program Directors, students may take one related 3000-, 4000-, or 5000-level class in Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering (e.g., MAE 4140, CE 2000) to meet the overall seven-class elective requirement, but not to meet the basic one-class requirement for this area. (Upper level EVSC classes build on the classes listed above under “Core Classes.” Upper-level Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Engineering classes can have several prerequisites.) 

Pre-approved Non-EVSC or 2000-level courses include:

• BIOL 3450 - Biodiversity and Conservation Credits: 3
• CE 3100 - Water for the World Credits: 3
• CE 2100 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering Credits: 3
• EVAT 5300 Environmental Climatology
• EVSC 2800 - Fundamentals of Geology Credits: 3
• EVSC 4559 - Human Impact on the Environment
• ANTH 4559 - Human Impact on the Environment
• LAR 5370 - Natural Systems and Plant Ecology
• PLAN 5120 - Geographic Information Systems
• or
• EVSC 3020 - GIS Methods Credits: 4

Distinguished Majors Project (DMP)

Majors with a minimum 3.6 GPA in the major (and 3.4 GPA overall) are eligible for a distinguished majors program (DMP) for their fourth year. DMPs take a year-long independent study with a faculty advisor, with the goal of producing a thesis that is evaluated by outside readers. To participate in the ETP distinguished majors program, set up an appointment with Professor Thomson during the spring semester of your third year. 

Credit/No Credit Grades

Please note that the ETP program adheres strictly to the College of Arts and Science’s policy regarding classes taken for CR (credit) or NC (no credit). Courses counting towards the ETP prerequisites, area requirements, and core courses may NOT be taken on a CR/NC basis.

The College does not permit students to take courses on a CR/NC basis in interdisciplinary programs, nor does it permit students to count courses taken on a CR/NC basis towards a major, minor, or College area requirements.

• Students whose first language is not English should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Students who are bilingual in English and another language and have scored well on the verbal portion of the SAT may be exempted from the TOEFL and IELTS.
• Recommendations from one counselor and one teacher
• Application and Fee
• Secondary School Forms and Transcript (official translation required of transcripts not presented in English)
• Final Transcripts
• Students who will be applying for Fall 2017 can chose to submit results from the previous version of the SAT, the current SAT, or the ACT. The SAT Essay and ACT Writing sections will not be required for those applying for the Fall 2017 term. SAT Subject Tests are optional.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The University of Virginia offers a comprehensive range of financing options for students enrolled in the Environmental Thought and Practice program. Tuition fees are structured according to residency status, with in-state students benefiting from lower rates compared to out-of-state students. For the academic year, in-state tuition is approximately $18,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition is around $60,000 annually. These figures are approximate and may vary slightly from year to year. Students are encouraged to explore multiple funding avenues to support their education.

Financial aid at the University of Virginia includes need-based grants, scholarships, federal student aid programs, and work-study opportunities. The university's Office of Financial Aid provides personalized counseling to help students navigate the application process for various aid programs. Need-based grants do not require repayment and are awarded based on the student's financial circumstances as determined by the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Merit-based scholarships are available for outstanding applicants and are awarded automatically upon admission or through specific scholarship programs.

Students are also encouraged to seek external funding sources such as private scholarships, fellowships, and grants provided by environmental organizations and foundations. Graduate assistantships may be available for eligible students, offering a stipend in exchange for research or teaching duties. These assistantships typically include tuition remission and a modest living allowance, significantly reducing the overall cost of attendance.

The university also emphasizes loan programs, including federal Direct Loans, which offer low-interest rates and flexible repayment options. Students are advised to borrow responsibly and to consider the long-term implications of student debt. Furthermore, the university's financial aid office offers resources and guidance on budgeting and financial planning to ensure students can manage expenses effectively.

International students are encouraged to explore additional funding opportunities, including specific scholarships and grants for international applicants. They may also be eligible for federal and private loans if applicable.

Overall, the University of Virginia is committed to making education accessible and affordable through a combination of institutional aid, external funding opportunities, and federal assistance programs. Prospective and current students should consult the university’s financial aid website and contact the financial aid office for the most current information and personalized guidance.

The Environmental Thought and Practice program at the University of Virginia offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing environmental issues. This program integrates aspects of philosophy, science, policy, and ethics to prepare students to think critically about human interactions with the natural world. Students in this program engage with a variety of subjects including environmental philosophy, sustainability, environmental justice, ecological science, and public policy. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, encouraging students to develop innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.

Designed for students interested in exploring the philosophical foundations of environmental issues, this program aims to cultivate a deep awareness of the moral and ethical considerations involved in environmental decision-making. It also emphasizes experiential learning through community projects, internships, and research opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in environmental practice. The program prepares graduates for careers in environmental advocacy, public policy, research, and education, as well as for graduate studies in related fields.

Faculty members involved in the program are experts in various disciplines, including environmental philosophy, ecology, and sustainability science, providing a rich academic environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication skills, equipping students to become informed and responsible environmental leaders. Given the university’s commitment to sustainability and global responsibility, the program often integrates current environmental issues such as climate change, conservation, and resource management into its coursework.

Students can expect a flexible curriculum that encourages exploration of diverse perspectives and innovative ideas related to environmental thought and practice. The program also prioritizes community engagement and real-world problem-solving, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to addressing environmental challenges at local, national, and global levels. Overall, the Environmental Thought and Practice program at the University of Virginia seeks to develop environmentally conscious individuals capable of making impactful contributions towards sustainable development and ethical environmental stewardship.