The B.S. in Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies program (or ESGS) at WKU is the largest such program in Kentucky or Tennessee. Students can become more directly involved in faculty-sponsored research, with opportunities for co-authorship of peer-reviewed research articles, and presentation of research results at professional meetings, conferences, and workshops. Faculty in the department research a variety of human-environment issues that both inform the coursework students take and provide students with opportunities to engage in a number of projects that directly influence the human condition. GIS courses taken in this new major will have the GISC designation, which adds clarity when applying for professional certification in GIS, go to GISCI.org for more information. Courses in our Certificate in GIS count towards both the GISP certification and ESGS major. As a result, you may earn a Certificate in GIS while working towards your degree in ESGS and the courses taken for your certificate will count towards your ESGS major. In general, the B.Sc. in Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies degree requires a minimum of 53 semester hours of GIS (GISC) and/or geography (GEOG) courses, plus supporting coursework. A minor or second major is not required. Students majoring in ESGS learn the concepts and skills necessary for a variety of career opportunities that require a solid foundation in spatial thinking and analysis.