Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP)
Why Study Environmental Policy and Planning at Virginia Tech?
The EPP major builds on the Public and Urban Affairs (PUA) degree core that provides foundational knowledge in policy, planning, governance, and international affairs. The EPP major extends this knowledge through an interconnected sequence of courses that explore environmental policy and planning, land use, and environmental law. EPP students will also develop their expertise by selecting one or more electives from three subject areas: Policy; Planning; and Environment and Conservation.
Claudia Budzyn, ‘24
Budzyn graduated with dual degrees in environmental policy and planning and politics, philosophy, and economics, plus a minor in German. During her time at Virginia Tech, Budzyn has established a firmly impressive list of accomplishments: She has been published in the Philologia Undergraduate Research Journal, received multiple research grants, studied and volunteered in 15 countries, completed internships, and held numerous leadership positions on campus. Budzyn plans to pursue a career in law, leveraging her passion for learning to make a career out of advocating for others.
Careers and Further Study
What can you do with a major in Environmental Policy and Planning?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Local, state, and federal government
- Domestic and international Nonprofits
- Environmental planning Consulting firms
- Real estate development
- Private industry
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
Students will have an opportunity to study in the National Capital Region through the new Washington, D.C. Semester in Global Engagement or the well-established Washington, D.C. Semester in Leadership through Policy and Governance.
Washington, D.C. is at the center of global affairs. It is home to government agencies, many of the world’s leading think-tanks, numerous international organizations and a range of non-governmental organizations. Here, the most significant policy decisions are debated and made, holding both domestic and international importance.
The Washington Semester in Global Engagement is a unique 15 credit program open to all Virginia Tech majors. The Washington Semester consists of a combination of courses on global affairs, internship opportunities, workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities with DC professionals and policy makers. It offers students the opportunity to experience policy-making firsthand, and explore the wealth of political and cultural opportunities available in the Washington D.C area.
The Washington Semester, Leadership through Policy and Governance extended summer session program offers a unique 11-week immersion into work experience within the nation’s capital. Students will learn about and work on challenging public policy issues that shape communities locally and nationally while obtaining academic credit. Washington Semester Fellows will also attend seminars that enable them to understand their internship from a range of analytical perspectives.
SPIA offers study abroad courses for EPP majors.
Curriculum
What You'll Study
Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
Environmental Policy and Planning Major Requirements
- Public Issues in an Urban Society
- Public Service Leadership
- Public Policy Analysis
- Legal Foundations of Planning
- Urban Policy and Planning
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Public and Urban Affairs Degree
45 hrs
General Education
54 hrs
Major Requirements
21 hrs
Elective
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.