Bachelor’s Degrees in Sustainability in NYC: Building a Greener Future
Sustainability is a growing field that focuses on creating solutions for environmental, social, and economic challenges. Bachelor’s programs in Sustainability in New York City equip students with practical skills and knowledge to address climate change, resource management, and sustainable development. These programs combine science, technology, and policy studies to prepare graduates for impactful careers in industries such as renewable energy, urban planning, and environmental advocacy. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, research projects, and collaborations with local organizations, making NYC an ideal location for building a foundation in sustainability.
New York University (NYU)
New York University offers a multidisciplinary Sustainability program that focuses on environmental studies, resource management, and policy development. Students benefit from NYC-based internships and partnerships with sustainability-focused organizations.
Curriculum Details:
- Focuses on reducing NYU’s carbon emissions, targeting a 50% reduction by 2025 and carbon neutrality by 2040.
- Supports sustainability education and innovation through the Green Grants program, funding over $1 million in projects.
- Address: 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012
- Phone: (212) 998-1212
- Website: www.nyu.edu
- Directions: Accessible via multiple subway lines, including the A, C, E, and 1 trains to West 4th Street.
Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University integrates sustainability into its Earth and Environmental Engineering program. Students gain research experience through the Earth Institute and access resources for solving global environmental challenges.
Curriculum Details:
- Columbia University commits to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, using energy conservation, recycling, and award-winning reuse programs to minimize its environmental footprint.
- The Office of Sustainability leads initiatives that engage students, faculty, and the local community in implementing sustainable practices, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility across campus.
- Address: 116th Street and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
- Phone: (212) 854-1754
- Website: www.columbia.edu
- Directions: Reachable via the 1 train to 116th Street–Columbia University station.
CUNY Brooklyn College
CUNY Brooklyn College’s Sustainability program prepares students for careers in environmental policy, renewable energy, and urban planning. The program emphasizes community-based learning.
Curriculum Details:
- Brooklyn College‘s Urban Sustainability B.A. program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with concentrations in Environmental Science, Environmental Economics and Business Management, and Environmental Sociology. Students examine the dynamics between social and natural systems, focusing on the trade-offs among environmental protection, social equity, and economic vitality.
- The program emphasizes practical skills, including mapping economic, environmental, and social data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Fieldwork is integral, with site visits to community gardens, local waterways, and city parks, providing hands-on experience in addressing urban sustainability challenges.
- Address: 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
- Phone: (718) 951-5000
- Website: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the 2 and 5 subway lines to Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College station.
Montclair State University
Montclair State University offers a Bachelor’s in Sustainability Science, focusing on environmental systems and resource conservation. The program features hands-on fieldwork and research opportunities.
Curriculum Details:
- Montclair State University‘s Master of Science in Sustainability Science program integrates natural and physical sciences with social science, economics, policy, and project management to prepare professionals to address complex environmental challenges.
- The 32-credit curriculum includes core courses such as Environmental Economics, Methods in Environmental Research, and Current Issues in Sustainability Science, culminating in either a thesis or an applied research project.
- Address: 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
- Phone: (973) 655-4000
- Website: www.montclair.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit’s Montclair-Boonton Line to Montclair Heights station.
Kean University
Kean University’s Environmental Sustainability program emphasizes practical solutions for environmental challenges. Students engage in internships and community projects to develop real-world skills.
Curriculum Details:
- Diverse Academic Programs: The department offers majors in Environmental Science (B.S.), Environmental Biology (B.S. in Biology), and Earth Science (B.A.), each providing cross-disciplinary knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Experiential Learning: Students engage in fieldwork and research across multiple campuses, including the main campus in Union, NJ, Kean Ocean in Toms River, NJ, and the Skylands campus in Jefferson, NJ. They also have opportunities to participate in internships with local partners such as parks, sustainable farms, and non-profit organizations.
- Address: 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
- Phone: (908) 737-5326
- Website: www.kean.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line to Union station.
Hofstra University
Hofstra University’s Sustainability Studies program covers environmental science, urban sustainability, and green technology. The program includes experiential learning through internships and study abroad options.
Curriculum Details:
- Diverse Academic Programs: The department offers majors in Environmental Science (B.S.), Environmental Biology (B.S. in Biology), and Earth Science (B.A.), each providing cross-disciplinary knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Experiential Learning: Students engage in fieldwork and research across multiple campuses, including the main campus in Union, NJ, Kean Ocean in Toms River, NJ, and the Skylands campus in Jefferson, NJ. They also have opportunities to participate in internships with local partners such as parks, sustainable farms, and non-profit organizations.
- Address: 100 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549
- Phone: (516) 463-6600
- Website: www.hofstra.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Hempstead station, followed by a short bus ride or campus shuttle.