Kingston, RI
United States
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Environmental Education
Contact details
The University of Rhode Island has launched one of the nation's few undergraduate Environmental Education degree programs. Through experiential learning, paid internships, and deep community partnerships, the program is designed to build the next generation of EE leaders while strengthening local organizations and expanding equitable access to the field.
Climate education is a vital part of Rhode Island's resilience strategy, and the new partnership between the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA) is helping prepare the next generation of environmental educators while strengthening the organizations that make this work possible.
The new Environmental Education B.S. degree program that prepares students for careers in nonformal education, conservation, and outreach. With support from the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) this initiative creates paid internship opportunities for URI EE students and capacity building funding for RIEEA Member Organizations to host, mentor, and co-develop climate learning materials.
The goal of this partnership is to:
● Create paid internship opportunities for URI EE students
● Provide capacity building funding to EE organizations
● Build a digital collection of localized climate lessons
These efforts directly support Rhode Island’s climate priorities by investing in climate literacy, preparing a new generation of climate educators, and strengthening community-based partnerships that respond to local environmental education needs.The lessons developed will align with Rhode Island’s new, high-quality K–12 curriculum—helping educators bring climate science phenomena to life in ways that are locally relevant, engaging, and actionable.
Students may either major in Environmental Education for 52 credits, or minor for 18 credits, or 6 classes. This program is designed for active learners who are passionate about the environment and want to lead new generations toward a more environmentally just and sustainable future. We prepare students for careers in non-formal education settings such as nature centers, zoos, aquariums, parks, higher education, and governmental policy entities and lobbyists.
Students will:
● Gain a depth of interdisciplinary environmental science knowledge
● Develop strategies for teaching and learning in non-formal environments.
● Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment for diverse learners
● Effectively communicate complex concepts to promote environmental justice.
Degree Name Degree Type Degree Features Environmental Education B.S. Bachelor's