Students at the Illinois Capitol Building on Lobby Day 2016 with director of Illinois Environmental Council.

An Environmental Health class visits experimental wetlands

Students examine a lizard in the tropical dry forests of Costa Rica

Ecology class explores Loch Maree in the Scottish Highlands.

Jinny Alexander manages a controlled burn in her biology class

previous next

"The University, through its policies, programs and practices, is committed to diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability" – Illinois Wesleyan University Mission Statement

Environmental Studies examines issues that arise from the interaction of human beings with the natural world.

Understanding these issues and meeting the challenges they pose requires knowledge from diverse disciplines, and new modes of thinking be developed.

At Illinois Wesleyan, our interdisciplinary Environmental Studies Program is designed to educate a new generation of students who are critical and creative thinkers, committed to advancing environmental sustainability both locally and globally.

Our students acquire a solid foundation in ecological principles, earth science concepts and scientific causes of today's environmental challenges, as well as the institutions - cultural, political, and economic - and ethical dimensions through which to tackle them.

We offer both a major and minor degree - with four unique ways to complete the major. Students can pursue a General Major or choose one of three areas of concentration: Ecology, Environmental Policy or International Environmental Sustainability.

Read our full Mission Statement and Student Learning Goals.