Advising guide: PSU transfer Environmental Studies
Planning to major in Environmental Studies at Portland State University?
The Environmental Studies major is a degree with a foundation in environmental science and geography, and the flexibility to pursue a focal area of interest at the university level. Focal areas include environmental justice and environmental humanities, environmental policy and governance, resource management and sustainable systems, and interdisciplinary skills.
Take these courses at PCC!
Many of these courses will also fulfill general education requirements for a PCC AAOT degree.
- Prerequisites: Reading (RD 115), writing (WR 115), and math (MTH 20) or equivalent test scores are prerequisites for most of these courses. Beginning in Fall 2027, MTH 110 is required for ESR 200.
- Environmental Studies (ESR) courses: ESR 150, 200, and 201 are required for the Environmental Studies major.
- Equivalent to PSU ESM 150 (ESR 150), ESM 220 (ESR 200), and ESM 222 (ESR 201).
- ESR 150 and 200 are the required orientation and introductory lab science courses. ESR 150 is a co-requisite for ESR 200. Offered fall term (Rock Creek) and spring term (Southeast) only. ESR 200 is required for ESR 201, 202, and 204.
- ESR 201: Science and Policy course offered winter term at Rock Creek.
- ESR 202: Applied Problem Solving course offered spring term (required for Environmental Science degree).
- ESR 204: Environmental Restoration is offered spring term (counts as a general education science course).
- Geography (GEO) courses: GEO 110, 105, and 170 are required for the major.
- Equivalent to PSU GEOG 210 (GEO 110) and GEOG 230 (GEO 105) (count as general education Social Science credits).
- *GEO 170 substitutes for PSU GEOG 380U (counts as a lower-division general education Social Science course).
- *GEO 265 and 266 (Intro to GIS, GIS Analysis) can substitute for PSU GEOG 488 (elective course).
- Writing (WR): WR 121 is required; WR 227 can substitute for WR 327 at PSU (not upper-division).
- Math (MTH): MTH 111 is required.
* These PCC classes do not count as upper-division courses, even when they substitute for upper-division courses.
Notes: All courses used to satisfy the Environmental Studies major requirements must be graded C- or above or P. No more than one course can be taken pass/fail. The PSU bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies requires a minimum of 62 upper-division (300-400 level) credits.
Please note: These courses may change over time. Reach out to a PSU advisor and be sure to check transfer guides for updates: pcc.edu/university-transfer.