This Bachelor’s pathway in Economics with an emphasis on Environmental Economics and Policy combines core economic theory and quantitative methods with applied study of environmental resources, regulation and sustainability. It suits students who want to analyse environmental problems through economic tools and pursue careers in policy, conservation, consulting or further study in law and graduate economics.
The programme builds a foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, then applies those tools to environmental questions such as resource allocation, externalities, valuation of ecosystem services and climate policy. Core courses typically include intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics and applied econometrics, complemented by specialised modules such as Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Public Economics and Environmental Policy. Students will also study quantitative subjects — statistics and data analysis — to prepare for empirical work, and are encouraged to take allied courses in political science, geography, biology or sustainability to gain interdisciplinary perspective.
Centre’s liberal arts curriculum emphasises small-class discussion and writing; students pursue a senior seminar or capstone project that often involves original research, policy analysis or a practicum with a local organisation. The programme supports experiential learning through internships, community-based projects and off-campus study opportunities, and students frequently undertake independent research supervised by faculty in economics and related departments.
Applicants should hold a high-school diploma or recognised equivalent. Successful candidates typically demonstrate strong performance in quantitative subjects — for example mathematics and statistics — and submit a complete application including academic transcripts and supporting materials as required by Centre College. The college operates a holistic admissions process; for applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of English language proficiency may be required.
At the college level, students wishing to major in Economics with an environmental emphasis should expect to complete the department’s introductory economics sequence before advancing to intermediate and specialised courses. Placement in some quantitative courses may be determined by prior preparation or departmental assessment.
Graduates are prepared for roles in public policy, environmental NGOs, consulting firms, natural resource management agencies and private-sector sustainability teams. Typical entry-level positions include policy analyst, environmental economist assistant, research analyst, data analyst and sustainability coordinator. The quantitative and writing training also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in economics, public policy, environmental science, law or business.
Alumni frequently combine Centre’s emphasis on experiential learning with internships and off-campus study to secure practical experience before graduation. Faculty-led research projects and the senior capstone help students develop portfolios of applied work that are useful when applying for jobs, graduate programmes or competitive fellowships.
Centre College is a small liberal arts college that affords close faculty mentorship, small seminar-style classes and a curriculum designed to develop analytical thinking and communication skills. The college’s commitment to undergraduate research and high-impact experiences means economics majors can work closely with faculty on empirical projects, participate in internships and receive personalised career advising.
Centre’s location in Danville offers access to state government and regional organisations for policy internships and community projects, while the college’s off-campus study options and short-term CentreTerm provide additional pathways to gain international experience or concentrated project work. Students benefit from an interdisciplinary environment where economics is taught in conversation with politics, science and environmental studies, preparing graduates to engage with complex environmental challenges in a range of professional contexts.
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