BA Environmental Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

This major is designed for students seeking interdisciplinary preparation in the social and natural sciences needed to understand how society affects the environment, how it organizes itself to respond to environmental problems, and how understanding of the environment is transmitted through culture. The major prepares students for graduate and professional training, especially in environmental policy, journalism, education, and law. There are two tracks available. Students should contact Dr. Amy Cooke to discuss the right track for their interests and career goals.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Environment, Ecology, and Energy | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Required courses include ENEC 201 Introduction to Environment and Society; ENEC 202I Introduction to the Environmental Sciences; ENEC 698 Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems; ENEC 694H Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies; BIOL 104 Biodiversity; BIOL 103 How Cells Function.

Career pathways

Amy Cooke to discuss the right track for their interests and career goals. We encourage students to participate in study abroad during their career at Carolina.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unc.edu/

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