Environmental Specialist: Career Associate

The Environmental Specialist Program - Environmental Assessment concentration provides certifiable expertise in the 40-Hr HAZWOPER certification. Students are proficient in environmental site characterization or assessment and obtain strong interdisciplinary skills in chemistry, geology, and biology. Proficiency in the knowledge of environmental principles, applied mathematics, field sampling, laboratory methods, regulatory compliance, and geographic information systems are other focal points of the curriculum.

The Environmental Specialist Program - Sustainable Resource Management concentration provides expertise in the knowledge of sustainable resource management as it relates to environmental, social, and economic domains. Students are proficient in life- cycle analysis and in determining cost benefits for various waste management and recycling strategies. An emphasis is on waste reduction and re-use strategies in relation to market trends and applicable environmental regulations. Computer use and oral and written communication skills are also gained.

The complete program is available at the Harrisburg Campus.  Some required courses are available at the Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York campuses, as well as through Virtual Learning.

Graduates of the Environmental Assessment concentration are prepared for a wide variety of industrial, governmental, and service jobs in such areas as environmental monitoring, laboratory services, pollution prevention, environmental cleanup, watershed assessment, air quality, water and wastewater treatment, solid and hazardous waste, natural resource management, and regulatory affairs.

Graduates of the Sustainable Resource Management concentration are prepared for a wide variety of service jobs in the private and public sectors of environmental resource and materials management, such as waste reduction, re-use, recycling, pollution prevention, and environmental management systems.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 104 Technical Writing  3 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking (or)  3 
  COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication  (3) 
Core A Elective  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Free Elective  3 
Physical Education and Wellness  1 
Major Requirements   
CHEM 100 Principles of Chemistry  3 
CIS 105 Introduction to Software for Business  3 
ENSP 160 Professional Issues  1 
ENSP 205 Environmental Laboratory Methods  4 
ENSP 215 Hazardous Substances and Safety  3 
ENSP 220 Environmental Laws, Regs & Compliance  3 
ENSP 260A Environmental Internship  3 
ENVS 201 Introduction to Environmental Science  4 
MATH 103 College Algebra  3 

Environmental Assessment Concentration   
BIOL 130 Field Biology  4 
ENSP 200 Quantitative Field Methods  4 
ENSP 210 Site Assessment and Planning  3 
ENSP 225 Aquatic Resource Management  3 
GEOL 201 Environmental Geology  4 
GIS 141 Introduction to GIS  3 
*Concentration Specific Elective  3 

Sustainable Resources Concentration***   
ENSP 230 Pollution Prevention & Waste Management  3 
ENSP 235 Environmental Systems & Sustainability  3 
GREN 102 Alternative Energy Economics  3 
GREN 218 Sustainable Materials Management  3 
GREN 221 Project Management and Design  3 
GREN 228 Environmental Marketing  3 
MGMT 230 Principles of Supply Chain Management  3 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Environmental Assessment Concentration

Demonstrate knowledge of environmental principles, applied field sampling laboratory methods, and regulatory compliance

Apply mathematical concepts to environmental problem solving

Perform technician work while following appropriate field, lab, and safety methods

Demonstrate computer literacy in data manipulation and analysis

Develop analytical skills, including inductive and deductive reasoning

Communicate results both orally and through written reports

Receive certifications associated with selected environmental skills and coursework

Exhibit practical expertise learned in workplace internships or work projects

Recognize environmental work practices and procedures, and professional conduct and expectations

Sustainable Resource Management Concentration:

Demonstrate knowledge of sustainable resource management with implementation of waste reduction, re-use, recycling, and pollution prevention strategies

Implement environmental system management and sustainable business practices that are in compliance with applicable environmental regulations

Ascertain market trends and assist in management of waste materials for facilities

Comprehend fundamental concepts of business applications and decision-making related to sustainable resource management

Use  computer applications and demonstrate effective oral and written skills

Recognize  environmental work practices and procedures and professional conduct and expectations

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

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations