Baruch College is expanding academic opportunities for students interested in climate and sustainability careers, announcing two new undergraduate majors that will launch in fall 2026.
Students will be able to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science through the Department of Natural Sciences in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences.
Currently, an environmental sustainability minor and several environmental courses are offered. The addition of two majors marks a significant expansion of Baruch’s academic focus on climate-related study.
“Our goal is to prepare undergraduates with the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills they need to succeed in climate-related careers across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors,” Stephen Gosnell, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, said.
This comes as New York City accelerates its transition to a more sustainable economy.
According to a 2023 announcement from the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the region’s green economy is projected to grow 144% by 2030.
While both programs emphasize critical thinking, data analysis and scientific literacy, the degrees are designed with distinct academic pathways
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies focuses on the intersection of environmental science with public policy, economics and social systems.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science offers a more technically intensive track grounded in laboratory research, quantitative modeling and field-based investigation.
Across both majors, students will complete coursework that develops their ability to interpret complex environmental data and communicate findings across scientific and policy contexts.
Electives include research-based independent study and team and discussion-based capstone courses using real-world data and case studies.
Department research projects range from nutrient cycling in coastal communities to participation in the Billion Oyster Project, a New York Harbor restoration initiative that Baruch students have long been involved in.
Baruch plans to establish articulation agreements with Kingsborough, Queensborough and Hostos Community Colleges to support seamless transfer pathways into both majors.
“For community college graduates, these partnerships will open up career opportunities tied to New York City’s environmental, sustainability, and climate-related sectors,” Gosnell said.
The new programs build on growing cross-campus focus on climate scholarship. Over 30 Baruch faculty members participate in the Climate Studies and Environment Cluster, and many contribute to the Baruch Climate Action Collaborative, which supports interdisciplinary research and helped develop the CUNY Climate Scholars program.
Baruch also hosts the Conference on Climate Research, Teaching, and Collaboration each spring, further positioning the college as an active participant in climate-focused scholarship within the CUNY system. Faculty say the expansion reflects Weissman’s broader academic mission of integrating the arts and sciences to address contemporary challenges.
As George Weissman, the school’s namesake, once said, “Arts and sciences are the bloodstream that course through the entire body of knowledge and through our civilization.”
