PROSPECTIVE STUDENTSCURRENT STUDENTS
The University of Michigan Program in the Environment (PitE) brings together undergraduate students with a passion for environmental studies and helps them develop into advocates working toward a more just, sustainable and green future—all with an interdisciplinary perspective.
A jointly managed program between U-M’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), PitE focuses on the complex interactions of human beings and their environment, and allows students to develop a multidisciplinary perspective integrating the methods and approaches of the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. As a result, students gain foundational knowledge across environmental and ecological principles, human behavior and decisions, environmental justice and equity, and environmental history and humanities.
If you are interested in gaining both a broad liberal arts education in environmental topics and want the opportunity to pursue your individual interests in considerable depth, this program is for you.
The PitE curriculum is rich in field-based and project-based learning, with an emphasis on collaboration, connections across topics and disciplines, and a focus on how to communicate effectively with the public. Students, whether they major or minor in PitE, graduate from the program as informed citizens and leaders who are equipped with critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.
In addition, for those who are interested in furthering their environmental studies at the graduate level, the Accelerated Master’s Degree program between PitE and SEAS enables qualified environmental students to pursue their undergraduate and master’s degrees in less time. Eligible students may graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts at the end of their fourth year and with a Master of Science or Master of Landscape Architecture at the end of their fifth or sixth year.
If you're a current student interested in PitE, sign up for an upcoming information session (select "PitE Information Session" from the "Advisor" field).
Apply to the Undergraduate Program
November 1: Early Action deadline
February 1: Regular Decision deadline
Questions? Email [email protected]
Director: Sara Soderstrom
PitE News
PitE alumna works to ensure sustainability certifications for green buildings meet rigorous standards
“You don’t need to have an environmental career to be an environmental steward,” says Charlotte Reader (BA ’19, MPH ’22), who was a Program in the Environment (PitE) major when she pursued her...
Celebrating Holden Hughes (BA ’26): Program in the Environment
Holden Hughes (BA ’26) is graduating from the Program in the Environment (PitE), a collaboration between the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the College of...
Celebrating Grace Lahti (BS ’26): Program in the Environment
Grace Lahti will graduate in April from the Program in the Environment (PitE), a collaboration between the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the College of...
PitE alumni's urban gardening and food access nonprofit is planting change
“Without PitE, I would do none of the things I’m doing today,” says Jacob Inosencio (BS ’20), a graduate of the University of Michigan undergraduate Program in the Environment (PitE). Inosencio...
Not afraid of snakes or new experiences: Ivy McDonald is making the most of her time as a PitE student
“I’ve always cared about the environment, and I always like to say that I don’t want to follow in my parents' footsteps, but they both worked for the state's environmental quality office. As much as I...
Study abroad, research, and PhDs: U-M senior taking advantage of all PitE has to offer
Stella Gaydek (BS ’26) says she chose to major in the University of Michigan’s Program in the Environment (PitE) for its interdisciplinary nature and the ability to customize her degree, adding that...