The Environmental Policy and Planning major at Iowa empowers students to address pressing environmental challenges through policy or planning pathways.
Are you committed to environmental protection and stewardship? Considering a career in environmental law? In the Environmental Policy and Planning major, you’ll explore solutions for land use, water access, and climate change, gaining practical skills and real-world experience. Our program’s unique interdisciplinary approach fosters a deep understanding of environmental policy and planning tools, preparing you to make a difference in shaping a sustainable future.
The interdisciplinary Environmental Policy and Planning major prepares students to tackle environmental problems through action, advocacy, and compliance.
•GIS RESEARCH LAB. The Geographic Information Systems Instructional Lab (GISIL) is a state-of-the art computer lab used to teach GIS, cartography, and remote sensing. The GISIL also supports field-based educational activities using mobile GIS software, UAVs, and GPS to collect and analyze data.
•UNDERGRADUATE-TO-GRADUATE 5-YEAR BACHELOR'S & MASTER'S PROGRAM. The U2G program gives Environmental Policy & Planning students the option to earn both their bachelor's degree and Master of Science degree in Urban & Regional Planning in five years. Students save time and money on graduate school and are competitive on the job market.
•RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIPS. Partnerships with groups on campus like the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates, Public Policy Center and state organizations like the Iowa Environmental Council, our students have many opportunities to get involved with research and to gain professional experience working in the field.
In addition to your Environmental Policy and Planning major, you may choose to double major with a BA in Earth and Environmental Sciences, or pursue K-12 teaching licensure through the combined B.A. + M.A.T. in Education.
Students in this major need to meet the requirements for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Information
First-Year
Transfer
International
Iowa graduates have a 95 percent job/grad school placement rate within six months of graduation. Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Students with an in Environmental Policy and Planning degree from Iowa go on to careers in a range of fields, including environmental law, environmental compliance coordinator, public health community organizer, land-use planner, and environmental planner. They find work in a range of places, including local and state regulatory agencies, federal agencies, and public and private sector companies.
In addition to more than 500 student organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 study abroad programs and multiple undergraduate research opportunities.
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college.
The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.
Students entering the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability all take a set of four core courses that introduce them to natural and social science environmental topics, tools and methods, and research and career opportunities.
Students majoring in Environmental Policy and Planning can earn a BA degree and will choose one of two tracks:
- PLANNING TRACK. The planning track provides tools for working in city, county, or regional planning, and land and resource use assessment. Students will take courses focusing on urban planning, natural resource economics, transportation systems, and sustainability.
- POLICY TRACK. The policy track offers training for positions in the public and private sector with a focus on public policy and environmental economics. Drawing on political science and geography, students will understand policy outcomes, environmental impacts, and be prepared for careers in the public and private sector.
Environmental Policy and Planning majors also must complete the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. View in Environmental Policy and Planning in the UI General Catalog to learn more about the course requirements for the major or minor and graduating with honors.