Environmental Justice and Social Change
Bachelor of Science
Next start date is February 22. Applying is easy and free!
Be the change the world needs
Do you see current global inequalities that exist today, like food insecurity, environmental health, and conservation and access to natural areas, and have a passion for solving these issues? Our degree in Environmental Justice and Social change will prepare you in advocacy, conflict mediation, and government and non-government intervention. You will examine the interconnectedness of social and biophysical factors to provide solutions for global issues of human inequity and environmental injustice!
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does it cost?
Your online education should be affordable and manageable. Our team of distance education concierges will work with you through the admissions process to help you plan and pay for your degree. Learn more about the costs here.
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How fast can I finish?
It depends on whether you have credits earned from other institutions, whether you plan on taking one or two classes per term, and if you take a term off. Our distance education concierges and academic advisors are here to help you plan and stick to your educational goals. Talk to us today!
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How many credits can I transfer?
Apply online (it’s free!) and a distance education concierge will reach out to create an individualized plan for transferring your credits. You may also want to try estimating your transfer credits using Transferology.
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What courses will I be taking?
For course requirements, browse our Environmental Justice and Social Change Checksheet or view our full course catalog for a better look into your program. Then apply online for free to get started.
- Do you have more information that I can download?
Career Outlook
Rewarding Careers in Social Change
Make a Difference
Projected 10-year growth rate of paralegal / legal assistant
Median salary of policy analyst
Projected 10-year growth rate of a grants writer
Projected 10-year growth rate of paralegal / legal assistant
Median salary of policy analyst
Projected 10-year growth rate of a grants writer
Source: Burning Glass Technologies. “Labor Insight™ Real-Time Labor Market Information Tool.” Updated March 11, 2020.
Online Environmental Justice and Social Change Degree Program Highlights:
- One-on-one academic and professional advising Our world-class faculty and trained staff strive to make your professional and academic goals a reality.
- Unity College is an accredited institution by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
- Learn foundational skills that are needed to pursue a fulfilling career working for social change.
- Study when and where you want and finish your degree while still working full-time.
- Get professional skills training by doing a concentration in Environmental GIS, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Business, or Wildlife Ecology, or Emergency Disaster Management.
- Make professional connections with leaders in your field.
- Get job placement assistance through our career development department.
- Eight start dates per year
Careers and Outcomes
Follow your curiosity.
Realize your potential.
Faculty Profiles
Seek out knowledge.
Learn from leaders.
Environmental Justice and Social Change Degree Requirements:
A minimum of 120 earned credit hours, 30 credits earned at Unity, and an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0. For all degree requirements, download the Unity College Environmental Justice and Social Change Degree Checklist or the Unity College Distance Education Course Catalog.
Sample Environmental Justice and Social Change Courses:
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ENVJ 201 Understanding Diversity and the Environment
In this course, students develop a critical vocabulary around issues of diversity, sustainability, and the environment. Students learn about the ways people from different backgrounds, whether racial, age, gender, socioeconomic, are treated and affected differently by environmental problems. Finally, students develop ideas about how to make real-world environmental changes that include every stakeholder’s voice, especially voices from communities that have otherwise been subordinated, silenced, and marginalized.
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ENVJ 203 History of Creating Environmental Social Change
Although environmental issues are often presented ahistorically, every issue is historically rooted to economic, political, social, and cultural reasons. This course explores the role that historically-rooted lines of power such as race, gender, and class produce patterns of local and global environmental resource use and abuse. Students learn these histories by studying key environmental figures who have fought for environmental justice and social change. Finally, students recognize that history provides a meaningful and important framework for understanding the present and can be used to provide solutions to some of the most pressing environmental justice issues.
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ENVJ 301 Energy Justice: Local to Global Perspectives
As global patterns of energy use often remain hidden or go undiscussed, it is important to investigate the social and environmental justice implications. In this class, students examine case studies to explore real-world controversies over energy extraction and use. Some questions this course considers are who benefits most from current energy systems? Who pays for it? How does climate change policies affect global energy patterns and use? How does political and economic power drive the conversation and energy policies around the world? In addition to exploring the existing problems, students will consider possibilities for creating a more just and sustainable energy systems.
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ENVJ 303 American Government: Foundations in Environmental Law
Passing legislation and enforcing the law are some of the most powerful tools to enact environmental justice and social change. This class provides an overview of the law and legal system, with an emphasis on environmental cases. After covering the basics of American government and the legal system, students focus their learning on the design, implementation, and enforcement of major environmental statutes.
View our Unity College Distance Education Course Catalog for a better look into your program. Then apply online for free to get started!