My DD will be submitting an application to Pitt soon and will be selecting an environmental studies (not sciences) major. Does anyone have experience with that program? DD loved Pitt on our visit, but is a little concerned by one reddit post that mentioned the environmental studies program may be shrinking, and it’s also unclear to us whether there are many opportunities for field work with this program. (The website says that they do not have their own field summer camp, which is fine, but are there even any courses that include field work? This is a big plus to other schools DD is considering, such as U Delaware and UVM, and a possible downside to Pitt’s otherwise very attractive urban location.)
DD is also somewhat interested in Pubic Health but would have to apply into a different school at Pitt (Public Health instead of Dietrich) and right now Environmental Studies is definitely her first choice. It was unclear during our tour how difficult it is to switch between schools if the student changes their mind about their major by, say, the beginning of sophomore year.
Environmental Studies often has multiple tracks, some of which are politically and other areas like econ oriented. Poli Sci/Public Admin/Policy are very strong at Pitt. So I wouldn’t be concerned - because if something did happen, Public Policy is also cross discipline, well regarded and she could stay take electives of interest.
I wouldn’t expect something to happen but if it did, she could definitely find a home in other areas and still meet her needs - or close to it.
Not a Pitt parent although both had admits - but while I can’t speak to the program itself, I think she’d be able to fulfill her needs there even if there was budget cutting issue with the program - and of course, in today’s world, that can happen anywhere.
Perhaps this may be of interest - in concert with SPIA (Public Policy) - since you mentioned health as well.
Energy and Environment | School of Public and International Affairs
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The good news is that Pitt is not shrinking its Environmental Studies program; in fact, it is growing it. And the Environmental Studies program does offer field work, including in the summer at their ecology lab. The bad news is that transferring from Dietrich to Public Health is competitive. It can be done, but it is not automatic. Of the 3 schools you are considering, UVM offers maximum flexibility.
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