Central Michigan University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environmental studies at Central Michigan University focuses on the connection between humans and their environment as well as the search for solutions to today’s global concerns. This program offers the opportunity for students to gain expertise in humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Students will leave this interdisciplinary program ready to lead in excellence in environmental policy and practice in commercial, governmental, and nonprofit organizations. With a heavy focus on global responsibility and care for the earth’s resources, students leave with a broad knowledge of sustainability.

Program Highlights (as listed online): Live and learn in the Great Lakes Basin; CMU is a recognized leader in studying these bodies of water and home to the Institute for Great Lakes Research. Meet local experts tackling real issues, such as the Flint Water Crisis. Join a vibrant, supportive community. Student-led clubs offer field trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Gain access to state-of-the-art facilities in Mount Pleasant and at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island. Conduct hands-on research with the many advanced technologies and tools in our $95 million Biosciences Building. Find ways that companies can be more sustainable by analyzing how food systems, water, and land can be managed better.

Environmental health and safety at CMU is a holistic and interdisciplinary program at CMU teaches students how to save lives by promoting a healthy relationship with the environment and safety at home and in the workplace. Students lead the way in investigating health problems and hazards, enforce safety laws, and support regulations. Students learn how to monitor, diagnose, and investigate health problems and hazards in communities and develop the skills needed to evaluate the effectiveness and quality of environmental community services. With this degree, graduates will have the expertise and skills to lead the way in improving and creating a safer and more sustainable environment. This program is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council.

According to the website, environmental health and safety students will gain a strong understanding of areas like environmental health, air quality control, food protection, hazardous materials, and water quality.

Environmental engineering at CMU offers a unique opportunity to apply science and engineering to the important work of improving and maintaining the environment. This program teaches a unique set of skills that prepare students to build a more sustainable future. This program covers a broad range of engineering topics like analysis, design, and sustainability of waste management techniques. Engineering, soil sciences, biochemistry, and biology are all part of the blend of knowledge required to do this important work. Graduates of this program leave with knowledge of the problems our environment faces along with the skill sets needed to tackle these issues and promote sustainability across all industries. 

Program highlights (as listed online): Gain the knowledge, skills and laboratory experiences needed to compete successfully in the high-tech sector of the job market. Succeed in design and production occupations in the environmental sector while contributing to society. Be involved in studies with both breadth and depth across the range of engineering topics. Students work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, water, and air pollution control, and address global issues such as unsafe drinking water, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

The sustainability and environmental policy minor at CMU gives students powerful insights into some of today’s most pressing problems and prepares them to tackle them. This program emphasizes the meaning of sustainability and how it affects the economy. There is a focus on the science behind climate change and natural resource issues as well. This program prepares students for exciting careers in sustainability, environmental management, and environmental policy. 

According to the website, sustainability and environmental policy students will: Gain the skills to think critically about sustainability issues. Apply research methods from diverse disciplines to the solution of real-world environmental problems. Prepare for further education or a career in environmentalism and sustainability policy. Study in state-of-the-art facilities such as the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island and a $95 million Biosciences Building. Study at a Great Lakes Basin institute that is a recognized leader in Great Lakes research.

Students in the environmental science program at CMU will be prepared to use interdisciplinary knowledge to help protect and manage natural resources, clean up polluted areas, advise policy makers or work with industry to reduce waste. As our planet has become increasingly stressed, jobs in environmentally related fields have surged. 

According to the website, students with an environmental science minor will: Work with state-of-the-art software, field instruments and laboratory equipment that are used in industry, government and academic settings. Complete internships and undergraduate research projects. Gain skills in high demand with employers including environmental site assessment, field and laboratory protocols, technical writing, and computational skills. Have the chance to present your research results at national conferences. Experience hands-on learning using CMU's exceptional field and laboratory facilities.

The outdoor & environmental education minor enables students who are passionate about outdoors and nature to learn the practical application of skills through project-based learning, professional development, and certification. Students in this minor are be able to educate and learn from diverse populations through a focus on ecological issues and processes involving field-work opportunities.