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Environmental First Year Program

About

Mission Statement

To prepare students for productive careers related to environmental conservation and sustainability and to develop environmentally-conscious citizens who will contribute to a rapidly changing world.

Vision

Develop the University as a model for interdisciplinary, environmental education.

What is a First Year Program?

First-year programs are not degrees; they are first-year experiences associated with specific degrees that help students explore majors and set them up for success in their chosen degree program. First-year programs are part of your core requirements for certain degrees and do not extend your time to graduation. Students interested in the majors and programs listed below will be automatically enrolled in the ENVFY program.

The ENVFY program places a strong emphasis on field research and hands-on experiences early in your college journey. The curriculum integrates a diverse range of disciplines, including life sciences, environmental management, social sciences, policy, and the natural and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary approach aims to address environmental and sustainability challenges through a holistic lens.

In ENV 100, you’ll explore opportunities and gain the tools you need to chart your path to academic success in your chosen major at NC State. In ENV 101, you’ll acquire skills in practical problem-solving, working in the field and classroom on environmental and sustainability challenges with students from across campus, preparing you to engage with real-world environmental issues.

Program Overview

Students who have been accepted into one of the six majors listed below will have the opportunity to connect with others who have a strong passion for the environment. During the first academic year, students in these majors will have a dedicated professional academic advisor, common coursework and the opportunity to consider real-world challenges and the different approaches taken from each discipline.

By bringing students with similar interests together across majors, the Environmental First Year (ENVFY) Program provides students the opportunity to discover the breadth of environmental majors, minors and careers they may not have considered.

ENVFY degree programs include: