Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Get to Know the Program

Choosing Acadia’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESST) program means joining a community passionate about making a positive impact on the planet. You’ll engage your mind and your hands as you tackle some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The program features a diverse faculty committed to solving sustainability issues through research, teaching, and community engagement. You’ll have opportunities to work closely with them on meaningful projects throughout your degree. Your experience will include hands-on learning and community involvement, starting with a foundational camp day in your first term and ending in a final-year capstone community sustainability project.

Within the program, you can choose between ESST with a Bachelor of Arts, ESST with a Bachelor of Community Development, ESST with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, or ESST with a Bachelor of Community Development with Honours. BA students may also pursue a second major (a minor is required), giving you flexibility to shape your degree.

All paths offer hands-on learning in the stunning Annapolis Valley: an ideal natural setting for exploring environmental sustainability.

Take your learning, and skills development, off campus and to the world.

Co-Op
Co-op is available!

Get Involved Outside of the Classroom

FIELD TRIPS AND FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE CAMP ESST STUDENT SOCIETYESST AWARDS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Degree Timeline

First Year
  • Take required introductory courses
  • Participate in First Year Experience Camp
  • Join clubs and get involved on campus and within the program
Middle Years
  • Opportunity to become a teaching or research assistant
  • Connect with faculty about summer research
  • Option to enrol in the co-op program
  • Option to do a third year abroad
Final Year
  • Choose to complete honours program
  • Complete your capstone sustainability project
  • Earn your degree

Sample Courses

Program courses give you a mix of theory and hands-on learning, exploring environmental philosophy, sustainability leadership, justice and equity, systems thinking, and culminating in a capstone class that applies your knowledge to real-world challenges.

ESST 1023

PERSPECTIVES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY, THOUGHT & PRACTICE

ESST 2003

LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY

ESST 2013

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & EQUITY

ESST 1003

SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS AND SYSTEMS

ESST 4003

ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES CAPSTONE COURSE

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CAREER OPTIONS AFTER GRADUATION

An ESST degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to create real-world solutions, opening doors to a wide range of dynamic, impactful careers.

  • Climate adaptation specialist
  • Environmental policy analyst
  • Sustainability coordinator
  • Parks and natural area management
  • Corporate sustainability officer
  • Environmental educator
  • Renewable energy project manager
  • Researcher
 

Continue Exploring

Want to know more about what's in store? You're invited to continue exploring this field of study by visiting the website of this department to get a greater insight into its culture and dynamics.

Visit the Department of Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Related Programs

ESST includes elements from several other programs that you might be interested in, such as:

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