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Sustainability dual majors study how environmental, social, and economic systems affect one another. Instead of treating challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, or social inequity as isolated issues, students learn to understand the relationships among them. 

Depending on their interests, students may explore topics related to natural resources, food systems, energy, business, public policy, environmental justice, or community resilience. They also develop skills in systems thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving through projects and community-based experiences. 

How can you connect sustainability to your primary major? 

Students can use their sustainability electives to explore questions related to their primary field. A student studying environmental conservation and sustainability might examine climate economics or natural resource policy. An agriculture and food systems student could focus on agroecology, food policy, or community resilience. 

A student majoring in marine, estuarine and freshwater biology might explore marine policy or sustainable fisheries, while a nutrition student could examine sustainable food systems. These different pathways allow students to bring a sustainability perspective to the subjects they already plan to study. 

What is it like to study sustainability at UNH? 

Durga Raja ’25 paired the sustainability dual major with environmental and resource economics. She also participated in the climate action clinic, completed an internship with the UNH Sustainability Institute, and took part in two summer sustainability fellowships. 

“My favorite experience was being a student consultant in the Climate Action Clinic during my sophomore year, and then I served as a peer mentor for the next five semesters. I worked with local businesses and organizations to help measure their carbon footprints and support decarbonization efforts. That experience showed me how sustainability goals can look very different across sectors, while giving me the chance to collaborate with peers, work directly with clients, and make a real impact.” 

What hands-on sustainability experiences are available at UNH? 

Students can apply what they learn through projects, internships, fellowships, and community partnerships. 

The required Sustainability Capstone is a community-based action-research experience. Students work in groups on a sustainability issue affecting UNH or the broader community. They present their work at the Undergraduate Research Conference, prepare a research paper, and create a professional portfolio. 

Students may also earn credit for practical work or a project through a sustainability internship. Additional opportunities offered through the UNH Sustainability Institute include paid internships and summer sustainability fellowships. 

Students from any major may also participate in programs such as the B Impact Clinic, where interdisciplinary teams work with regional companies assessing their social and environmental impacts. Availability and application requirements for these experiences may vary. 

What can you do with a sustainability dual major? 

The sustainability dual major at the �鶹app is an interdisciplinary second major that students can combine with any four-year primary major. Through the program, students explore environmental, social, and economic challenges while learning how sustainability relates to their primary field of study. 

How does a sustainability dual major work? 

A dual major is an additional area of study completed alongside your primary major. At UNH, it has more requirements than a minor but fewer than a second or double major. 

To declare the sustainability dual major, students must have a primary major and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students who have not yet chosen a primary major can still take the program’s introductory sustainability course to begin exploring the field. 

The dual major requires 32 credits, including three required courses and 20 credits of approved electives. Students select electives from both the natural or biological sciences and the social sciences or humanities, giving them opportunities to connect sustainability with their academic interests. 

What do sustainability dual majors study? 

Because the sustainability dual major is paired with a primary major, students can apply what they learn in a range of professions. UNH identifies potential career areas including corporate social responsibility, public relations and communications, nonprofit management, public policy and administration, social venture entrepreneurship, green engineering and design, community and urban planning, international development, and environmental or social science research. 

The program is designed to help students understand how their professional work can contribute to sustainable communities and how people from different disciplines can collaborate on complex challenges. 

Is the sustainability dual major right for you? 

The program may be a good fit if you want to connect your primary field with questions about human wellbeing, equity, natural systems, or long-term decision-making. It may also appeal to you if you enjoy examining problems from several perspectives and collaborating with people from different academic backgrounds. 

Explore the sustainability dual major at UNH to review current requirements, elective options, and experiential opportunities. You can also talk with your academic advisor about how the dual major could fit into your academic plan.