Applying to your Major in the College of the Environment
The Basics
Click this button for the Major Applications
Applications must be received by the College of the Environment no later than 5:00 pm on:
- April 18 for admission summer and fall quarter at 5:00pm
- October 6 for admission winter quarter at 5:00pm
- January 15 for admission spring quarter at 5:00pm
Note: If the application date is during a weekend, applications will be due the following Monday by 5:00 pm.
In some cases, admission will be provisional, pending completion of current course work. Applications should include a list of courses, if any, in which the student is enrolled during the current academic period (quarter or semester). An unofficial transcript with grades for those currently-enrolled courses must be received by the College of the Environment College in order for the student to be officially admitted.
Students should declare a major on their application. Students may be excluded from consideration if they have not completed sufficient preparatory course work or have not completed an application by the deadline date.
Application to the College of the Environment is selective and based upon preparation and prior academic performance. Students must first apply to and be accepted by Western Washington University (WWU). However, acceptance to WWU does not insure admittance to any College of the Environment majors. Application forms for WWU are available through either the WWU Admissions Office. Transfer students should contact the Undergraduate Admissions Advisor before application to WWU or the College of the Environment.
Students can declare as an environmental studies pre-major or as an environmental science pre-major at any time.
Admission to the College of the Environment and its majors is based on the following four criteria:
- completion of required preparatory course work,
- academic performance (GPA),
- a brief essay in response to a given question.
Standards for admission are competitive and fluctuate from quarter to quarter, depending on the number of applicants and students graduating.
For applications to the Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Major, please review the following informational materials for further guidance:
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File
2022-23 Urban Planning Program Brochure.pdf (323.64 KB) - Application Essay Guidance
Transfer Students
Transfer applicants are encouraged to apply since the College of the Environment's curriculum is mainly an upper-division program. The first step for a transfer student is application and admission to Western Washington University. Students are strongly encouraged to complete all prerequisites prior to transfer to Western Washington University.
Transfer applicants are evaluated by Western's Office of Admissions for transfer credit and for credit toward completion of the General University Requirements (GURs).
Students who have earned approved Associate's degrees (NOT the Associates of Science or a Technical degree) from community colleges in Washington State are considered to have satisfied the General University Requirements; prospective transfers should consult with community college Advisors on which degrees are accepted under this agreement. However, students holding Associate's degrees from community colleges with which WWU has no formal agreement must complete Western Washington University's General University Requirements.
Students holding a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university or college who are working toward a second Bachelor's degree will be considered as transfers who have completed the GURs.
Additional Information
For further information, questions or Application Form, please contact:
Kathryn Patrick, Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator
The College of the Environment
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225 Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Questions about applying to Western Washington University?
Western Washington University Office of Admissions
Phone: (360) 650.3440
Email: admissions@wwu.edu