Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP)
Why Study Environmental Policy and Planning at Virginia Tech?
The Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP) major combines a strong foundation in public affairs with specialized coursework in environmental policy, planning, and law. You'll learn how governments, communities, and organizations tackle complex environmental challenges while building practical skills in land-use planning, sustainability, and policy analysis. Along the way, you'll tailor your studies by choosing electives that match your interests in policy, planning, or environmental conservation.
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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.
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Cameron Hadley, '24
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Cameron worked in climate consulting before moving into real estate finance for utility-scale solar projects. He credits the Environmental Policy and Planning major with strengthening his collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through experiences such as the SPIA Europe study abroad, the Honors College, Capstone Studio, and an internship with Virginia Tech's Office of Sustainability.
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
Learn where policy happens. Through the Washington Experience, you'll engage with government agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, and policy leaders in the nation's capital. Whether participating in a short-term immersive seminar or a semester-long experience that includes an internship, you'll connect classroom learning with real-world practice through site visits, guest speakers, and hands-on engagement with the people and institutions shaping public policy.
Expand your perspective on sustainability by studying abroad in Europe. The Sustainable Europe program immerses students in communities that are leading the way in environmental policy, urban planning, and sustainable development. Through site visits, conversations with planners and policymakers, and firsthand exploration of innovative cities, you'll compare U.S. and European approaches to today's environmental challenges. It's an opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world solutions while gaining a global perspective on the future of sustainability.
Get a head start on graduate school through Virginia Tech's accelerated 4+1 programs. Eligible students can begin graduate coursework during their senior year and earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in as few as five years. Students in SPIA can pursue accelerated pathways to the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA), or Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), helping them graduate with advanced credentials and a competitive edge in the job market.
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
- Law of Critical Environmental Areas
- Public Issues in an Urban Society
- Public Service Leadership
- Public Policy Analysis
- Sustainable Land Use and Environmental 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.