在新兴的绿色经济中，人们日益认识到可持续的生活和发展是健康，经济上可行的社会的关键组成部分。SMU的环境研究学位提供了用于在政府会议厅，公司董事会和教室中寻找有效的文化解决方案来解决全球环境问题的工具，其知识是关心环境具有良好的商业意义并有助于支持社区意识。SMU的环境研究计划是一门跨学科课程，面向有兴趣在社会和政策制定层面研究环境但不打算成为科学家的学生。从人类学，商业，经济学，工程学，科学和社会学等多个角度考虑复杂的环境问题。
The B.A. in environmental studies provides students with the tools necessary to address society's environmental problems through careers in government, non-governmental or educational organizations, public policy, business, and related fields. This interdisciplinary program incorporates courses from numerous departments and three schools in the University. The environmental studies major can be tailored to emphasize an area of interest (e.g., environmental biology, sustainability and globalization, environmental policy) and would be complemented by minors or other majors in environmental Earth science, economics, business, environmental science, biology, anthropology, journalism, corporate communications and public affairs, advertising, sociology and many of the disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.<br><br>The environmental studies core classes provide the student with the appropriate concepts and tools to understand the scope of global, regional and local environmental issues. Elective credit hours are chosen in consultation with an academic adviser, with at least one course from each of the three groups listed below. A senior thesis is required, with a field, research or other practical component taken in a department relevant to the student's interest (e.g., ANTH 4391 or ANTH 4392 - Independent Study and Research, JOUR 5308 - Honors Thesis, ECO 4398 - Departmental Distinction in Economics or GEOL 4399 - Integrative Research.<br><br>Majors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for study abroad and to seek relevant internships. Internship courses are offered in many departments and can be counted toward the major by petition. Approved SMU Abroad courses can also count as elective courses.