Undergraduate Academic Degree Programs

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The academic programs listed below have been highlighted for their inclusion of the pillars of sustainability in curriculum.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health Science (EOHS)

The mission of the Environmental and Occupational Health Science (EOHS) Program at Western Kentucky University is to educate students in preparation for an exciting career in the environmental health science. The EHS Program is committed to providing south central Kentucky, the state, and the nation with entry-level environmental professionals. The program is built upon a sound foundation of providing students with a background in assessing environmental resources, including water, air, and land resources, in relation to environmental and human health.

 

Bachelor of Science in Environmental, Earth, & Sustainability Sciences

The B.S. in Environmental, Earth, and Sustainability Sciences (EESS) equips students to understand and solve environmental challenges through an integrated study of environmental sciences, geosciences, sustainability, and environmental management. Graduates pursue careers in environmental consulting and compliance, geoscience, GIS/remote sensing, sustainability planning, natural resource and environmental management, geotechnical and engineering support, climate and conservation, government agencies, or continue to graduate study and Professional Geologist (PG) licensure pathways.

Through immersive fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and geospatial/data-science training, students learn to analyze complex environmental and geoscience problems while building strong foundations in scientific writing, quantitative reasoning, and professional communication. Students choose between two concentrations: Environmental & Sustainability Sciences, which focuses on global sustainability, environmental processes and resource management, and geospatial applications; and Environmental & Geological Sciences, which focuses on earth materials and environmental processes, energy and critical minerals, and hydrology, and aligns with PG licensure preparation.

Concentrations

• Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (ENSS)
• Environmental and Geological Sciences (ENGS)

 

 

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Graduates are prepared to use their skills in a variety of government agencies, hospitals and other facilities of the health care system, community mental health agencies, employee health programs in business and industry, student health services on college campuses, and many non-profit health agencies and communities. Many students choose to pursue advanced degrees in public health, and this is strongly encouraged.

  

Certificate in Citizenship & Social Justice

The certificate in Citizenship & Social Justice provides graduates with a foundational understanding of concepts, issues, strategies, and practices of social justice from interdisciplinary and community-based perspectives. Students will engage citizenship and social justice through multiple lenses of critical theory and engagement.This minor is a good complement for a wide-variety of majors and will serve students in many career paths, particularly as employers are increasingly interested in employees who can think critically, act responsibly, and who embrace diversity. CCSJ is part of the Department of Society, Culture, Crime, and Justice Studies. CCSJ coursework focuses on empowering students to improve their leadership talents, critical thinking, collaboration skills, and communicative abilities. All of these are important for a student's degree, regardless of major, and we welcome students from all disciplines, encouraging them to think of creative ways to merge their CCSJ coursework with their major.