Undergraduate Academic Degree Programs
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, Sustainability, & Geographic Studies
The Bachelor's in Environmental, Sustainability, & Geographic Studies program is housed
in the Department of Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences. The program requires
a minimum of 52 semester hours of geography, plus supporting coursework. A minor or
second major is NOT required. Students majoring in this program will learn the concepts
and skills necessary to qualify for a variety of career opportunities that require
a solid foundation in spatial thinking and analysis. A concentration is not required
so the program can have a 'custom design' feel for students. Students can become more
directly involved in faculty-sponsored research, with opportunities for co-authorship
of peer-reviewed research articles, and presentation of research results at professional
meetings and conferences through one of the department's four applied research centers.
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.