Environmental Economics and Policy Major

Solar Panel

Most environmental and natural resource challenges are caused by human activity and government policy. Majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy allows you to study environmental sciences through the lens of human behavior and government policy, and to become an expert at identifying solutions to our current problems. You will learn that while policy and human behavior lie at the heart of many challenges, they are also our best hope for creating a better future.

With a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy, you will be an expert at identifying the role that humans play in environmental quality, as well as in developing the solutions.

Our approach is to combine data with rigorous theory.  With this degree, you will have a set of skills in theory, quantitative methods, and communication that are highly sought by employers in government, non-profits, and private industry.  An Environmental Economics and Policy degree also provides an excellent foundation on which to apply graduate school.  In short, this degree (offered both on campus and online) is a springboard to a variety of rewarding careers!

Why Should YOU Major in Environmental and Economics Policy?

Recent Undergraduate Placements

Examples from the Private Sector:

  • Research Analyst, ECONorthwest
  • Data Scientist, NW Natural
  • Strategic Insights Analyst, US Dairy Expert Council
  • Project Manager, ENGEO
  • Senior Rates and Regulatory Strategy Analyst, Duke Energy
  • Energy Trader, PacifiCorp
  • Analytics Engineer, TruVue Analytics
  • Sustainability Data Analyst, Wyld
  • Lead Outreach Assistant, 3Degrees Group, Inc.

Examples of Graduate School:

  • Lewis & Clark Law School
  • George Washington School of Law
  • Stanford Law School
  • Texas A&M School of Law
  • MS student, Agricultural Economics and Economics, Montana State University
  • PhD student, Economic Development, New Mexico State University
  • MS student, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis

Core Requirements

You must take and pass (with a C- or higher) a core group of classes that will provide you with the economics, policy, and law background you need for success.  You also get to choose at least 5 electives from a list that will allow you to study with a broad focus or narrow in on your area of interest. You can see a full list of these classes on the Checksheet below.  We also offer some guidance on sequences of courses, or playlists, which give you suggestions on sets of courses that might lead you down different future paths.  As part of either of our degrees, you must complete an experiential learning offering – either an academic research project or an internship.

Suggested Electives

The following lists of courses provide suggestions for which electives EEP students may want to take, depending on a student's interests and career goals.  They are NOT required electives, but rather are intended to help you choose courses that might be beneficial.  They won’t change the name of your major on your degree.  And not all electives are offered every quarter or every year. Click on the links below to see how you might schedule your courses to graduate with electives that focus on Quantitative Skills; Resource Economics Applications; Law, Politics, and Policy Skills; or Sustainability and Environmental Science Skills. 

  • Econometrics
    • AEC 455 – Program Evaluation (3)
  • Mathematics
    • MTH 251 – Differential Calculus (4)
    • MTH 252 – Integral Calculus (4)
    • MTH 254 – Vector Calculus I (4)
    • MTH 341 – Linear Algebra (3)
  • Geospatial data and analysis
    • GEOG 360 – GISCIENCE I: Geographic Information Systems and Theory (4)
    • GEOG 361 – Quantitative Geospatial Analysis and Modeling (4)
    • GEOG 460 – GIS and Spatial Data Science (4)
  • Computer science
    • CS 161 – Introduction to Computer Science I (4)
    • CS 162 – Introduction to Computer Science II (4)
    • CS 201 – Computer Programming for Non-CS Majors (3)
    • CS 261 – Data Structures (4)
  • Energy
    • ECON 466 – Economics of Traditional and Renewable Energy (4)
  • Forestry
    • FOR 329 – Forest Resource Economics I (4)
    • FOR 332 – Forest Resource Economics II (2)
    • FOR 431 – Economics and Policy of Forest Wildland Fire (3)
  • Political science
    • PS 455 – The Politics of Climate Change (4)
    • PS 461 – Environmental Political Theory (4)
    • PS 462 – Theories of Law (4)
    • PS 475 – Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
    • PS 477 – International Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
    • PS 478 – Renewable Energy Policy (4)
  • Forestry
    • FOR 460 – Forest Policy (4)
    • FOR 461 – Forest Policy Analysis (3)
  • Geography
    • GEOG 241 – Transforming Environmental Conflicts (3)
    • GEOG 332/H 332 – Climate and Health (3)
    • GEOG 333 – Environmental Justice (3)
  • History
    • HST 481 – Environmental History of the United States (4)
  • Sustainability
    • SUS 331 – Sustainability, Justice, and Engagement (3)
    • SUS 420 – Social Dimensions of Sustainability (3)
  • Sociology/Public Policy
    • SOC 482/PPOL 441 – Energy, Climate, and Society (4)
  • Sustainability
    • SUS 102 – Introduction to Environmental Science and Sustainability (4)
    • SUS 103 – Introduction to Climate Change (4)
    • SUS 304 – Sustainability Assessment (4)
    • SUS 350 – Sustainable Communities (4)
  • Biology and Ecology
    • BI 101 – Environmental Biology: Ecology, Conservation, Global Change (4)
    • BI 211 – Principles of Biology (4)
    • BI 370 – Ecology (3)
    • FES 240 – Forest Biology (4)
    • FES 340 – Forest Ecology (3)