The Environmental Policy and Planning major concentrates on the social science and policy dimensions of environmental problems, which often are caused by people and may have significant economic effects.

Environmental issues are embedded in a complex mesh of economics, politics, culture, and behavior. Planners and policy makers must understand the human dimensions of these factors in order to solve environmental problems.

The Environmental Policy and Planning major integrates courses that provide a coherent approach to the study of the human dimensions of environmental problems. Several courses in the School of Urban and Regional Planning are available for undergraduates, and individual environmental classes have been added in other departments such as American Studies. The Department of Political Science offers relevant classes about policy and politics.