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Political Science Major, Environmental Studies and Politics Concentration
Dr. Joseph Morris and his dog, Eddie, explore Presque Isle State Park with Contemporary Environmental Issues student, Sean Fedorko.
The Environmental Studies and Politics Program is directed at students who are considering graduate studies, law school or careers in work related to the environment. It is an interdisciplinary study that includes courses in political science and the natural sciences. The Environmental Studies and Politics Program is the only program of its kind in the region. The program is structured to allow students to organize electives to focus on the aspect of the program that they find most interesting and to strengthen their preparation for a specific career track. For example, a student preparing for law school can use electives to take more courses in law. A student interested in public policy can use electives to take more courses in public administration.
Required Political Science Courses: (1) American Government, (2) Introduction to Public Administration, (3) Environmental Politics, (4) International Relations or American Foreign Policy, (5) Political Theory or American Political Thought, (6) Contemporary Environmental Issues, (7) Environmental History of the U.S., (8) Environmental Law, (9) Research Methods in Social Science, (10) Contemporary Issues in Politics (11) American Congress or American Presidency of State and Local Politics, and (12) Political Science Project.
Required Natural Science Courses: (1) Environmental Problem Solving and Lab, (2) Plant Science and Lab, (3) Chemical Principles and Lab, (4) Physical Geology and Lab, (5) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Lab, and (6) Applied Environmental Science and Lab.
Students who graduate from Mercyhurst College with an Environmental Studies and Politics concentration in Political Science have enjoyed a great deal of professional success. In recent years, students have attended graduate programs in environmental policy, including that of top-ranked Indiana University, or attended law school. Other graduates are working for the Environmental Protection Agency or nonprofits addressing environmental concerns.