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Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Minor (M)

Undergraduate Minor

Allendale • Face to face • Hybrid • 21 Credits

Environmental and sustainability studies focus on the relationship between human societies and the natural environment, emphasizing the development of sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

Overview

Grand Valley State University's Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) minor gives students a holistic, place-based, and solutions-oriented education. Students explore the interconnected physical, institutional, and cultural systems that shape our attitudes and behaviors toward the environment. The program emphasizes practical approaches to environmental issues through collaborative problem-solving, research, internships, and community-based projects, preparing students to become effective leaders and decision-makers in the field of sustainability.

In the ENS minor, you will engage in a diverse array of courses that span:

  • Social and Cultural Perspectives.
  • Physical and Life Sciences.
  • Political and Economic Viewpoints.
  • Focus area options include sustainable food systems, energy and climate change, water resources, or culture and the built environment.

The program's strong emphasis on experiential learning, combined with its interdisciplinary curriculum, equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to address complex environmental problems. Students leave with skills that will prepare them for careers in industry, government, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, ready to make a meaningful difference in the world.

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

gvsu.edu/ens | [email protected]
324 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-8016

#1
University in Michigan by Employers
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com
25%
Of Students Participate in Research or Experiential Learning with Faculty

Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

Hands-On Experience

Students participate in:
  • Research projects
  • Internships
  • Community-based projects
  • Collaborative work

Flexible Focus Areas

Students can explore topics like:
  • Sustainable food systems
  • Climate change & energy
  • Water resources
  • Built environment (cities, infrastructure)

This means you can tailor this minor to fit with many different majors.

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Page last modified June 11, 2026