Sustainability Science and Society Bachelor's Degree

Meet the Needs of Today While Building a Better Tomorrow

Explore the interactions between global, social, and natural systems. Integrate the technological, social, and political aspects to understand the challenges and formulate solutions on a campus committed to sustainability.

The bachelor of science in sustainability science and society at Michigan Tech develops confident, skilled professionals adept at understanding how to meet present needs in critical areas including health, energy, food, shelter, and transportation, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. With a focus on hands-on education and interdisciplinary collaborative opportunities across campus and beyond, Tech is a place to learn by doing.

Challenges in environmental sustainability involve real people and communities. Our majors use tools and perspectives from across the social sciences to find solutions and provide leadership. Develop the interdisciplinary social science knowledge and skills needed to address the world’s most significant environmental sustainability problems.

Be The Difference

A degree in sustainability cultivates the complex knowledge and skills needed for graduates to foster a secure and healthy future for all. Global climate change and environmental degradation offer new challenges and new opportunities as governments, non-profits, businesses, and the public look for solutions.

With a degree in sustainable science and society, you will gain the tools needed to study the causes of environmental degradation and help solve pressing environmental problems. You'll better understand and be equipped to respond to complicated issues and lead the creation of a sustainable future while preparing for new jobs in the emerging green economy.

You can expand your knowledge and focus on where you want to make your impact by adding a certificate or even a second major from any department on campus to complement your degree.

Fast-track Your Master's Degree

Earn an Accelerated MS degree in Sustainable Communities, Environmental and Energy Policy or Industrial Heritage and Archaeology. You can do it in just one additional year at Michigan Tech with your BS in Sustainability Science and Society.

No. 3
Best Public College in the US for High Salaries (The Wall Street Journal, 2025)
34

average class size
6
minors to pair with your degree
4+
faculty-led study away programs

Tomorrow Needs Sustainability Experts

The global challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation require a workforce that comprehends sustainability. Graduates who understand sustainability and sustainable practices are equipped to implement green initiatives that benefit both the environment and businesses. Such graduates can drive cost-effective measures that reduce energy consumption, waste, and emissions across industries and public sectors. Moreover, they contribute to building a more ethical and responsible business culture, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors. Embracing sustainable practices is not just a moral imperative; it also represents a strategic advantage in a world where sustainability is increasingly becoming a key driver of success.

Be Career Ready

Career Opportunities for Sustainability Science and Society Majors

The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects 7% increase in job demand for sustainability specialists and other environmental professionals. Your future career options are unlimited with a degree in sustainability science and society. Career opportunities include:

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Climate Change Analyst
Energy Auditor
Energy and LEED Analyst
Energy Manager
Environmental Analyst/Consultant
GIS Analyst
Graduate Research Assistant
Healthcare Sustainability Analyst
Public Affairs Specialist
Renewable Energy Analyst/Specialist
Solar Operations Surveyor
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Coordinator/Specialist
Sustainability Design Coordinator
Sustainability Grant Writer
Sustainability Planner
Sustainability Program Specialist
Water Resources Specialist
Zero Waste Program Manager

Companies Hiring Sustainability Science and Society Majors

The growing list of companies hiring sustainability science and society majors:

3M
Allstate
Aramco
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Boston Consulting Group
Caterpillar
DataStory
Deloitte
Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Agency
Kimberly Clark
Rockwell Automation
Mercury Marine
Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency
University of Wisconsin
US Forest Service
Wayne State University
Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying sustainability science and society at Michigan's flagship technological university.

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"With sustainability science and society I wanted to have something I knew I could make a difference with. I think that making the world a better place for future generations is something that is really important to me"
Maya Klanderman '24, BS Sustainability Science and Society

Study Social Sciences at a Technological University

Learn how to apply technology to solve social problems and issues in sustainability, human health, environment, and social justice. Gain skills to work successfully in diverse teams through cultural anthropology and sociology; analyze the past and its impact today in history and archaeology; or present arguments on pressing legal issues as you prepare for law school. Build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. Conduct research that makes a real difference in communities with faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors.

Get personalized attention: With a student-faculty ratio of 4:1, your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You can receive the guidance you need in a timely fashion. They can help pair you with undergraduate research, internship and job opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
Customize your education: Tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway. At Michigan Tech, our programs span anthropology, policy and community development, social science, and sustainability science and society. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of the social sciences. Choose from 7 different minors in the department (American Studies, Global Community Development Partnerships, Global Studies, Historical Studies, Law and Society, Social and Behavioral Studies, and Sustainable Science and Society), or add any one of Michigan Tech’s 80+ minors.
Study Abroad: Check out our study abroad/away programs and study sustainability in Costa Rica or industrial heritage in Wales, among other options.
Jumpstart your career: You'll complete at least one capstone co-op, internship, or research project to deepen your learning and build your resume. Get a master's in just one additional year with our accelerated master's program. Position yourself for a number of impactful jobs with a certificate in public policy.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your analytical skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces.

Undergraduate Majors in Social Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

"I decided to study abroad in Costa Rica to experience a culture different from the one I grew up in and also largely due to Costa Rica being one of the leading countries in sustainability. Personally, I cannot wait to find ways to apply the knowledge we have gained here to whatever I do in the future."Isadora Mitchell ‘22, BS Sustainability Sciences and Society