Loyola’s School of Communication, in partnership with the School of Environmental Sustainability, will offer a new program that will enable students to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in environmental communication in five years.
The new 4+1 program will allow SOC students to earn their undergraduate degree in their declared major, plus a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability.
Similarly, SES students will earn their undergraduate degree in their declared major, while also earning a master’s degree from the SOC in either the Digital Media and Storytelling or Global Strategic Communication graduate programs.
The School of Communication and School of Environmental Sustainability spent two years developing this unique 4+1 program, joining only a handful of universities across the nation offering such a dual degree. The new program will begin in Fall 2022.
The two schools developed the 4+1 program to train environmental scientists to be better communicators, and communication professionals to better understand environmental science.
While environmental scientists are trained to investigate, analyze data and interpret results, they are not taught how to communicate their results and conclusions in ways that are readily accessible to the general public, CEOs, or legislators.
Equally, while journalists, filmmakers and television producers may have the skills to tell compelling stories, they often lack the scientific background to understand and properly relate the impact of climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
For students in the School of Communication, the 4+1 program will help deepen their understanding of complex socio-ecological issues and their connection with sustainable development goals, while also expanding their capacity to communicate environmental science and sustainability issues to the world. Such a program can help develop better-informed journalists, documentary filmmakers, television, radio and podcast producers, public relations and advertising professionals, and social media specialists.
For students in the School of Environmental Sustainability, the 4+1 program will help them with writing, public speaking, conference presentations, television and radio interviews, and social media messaging.
These 4+1 programs are uniquely applied and strongly interdisciplinary. They integrate basic science concepts, communication theory and practice, and socio-cultural dimensions to cultivate the interdisciplinary problem-solving and communication skills necessary for developing sustainable solutions. The goals of these programs are to:
- Educate students across the sciences, social sciences and humanities, providing knowledge and interdisciplinary perspectives needed to effectively address complex environmental problems through grounding in solid scientific understanding of ecosystem operation.
- Develop skills in environmental and sustainability sciences including GIS, sustainability tracking, and environmental communications as well as important professional skills, such as interdisciplinary thinking, systems thinking, research design, data collection, data analysis, research ethics, technical writing, and communication.
- Improve communication skills by teaching students how to tell stories through enhanced speaking and presentation methods, better writing, video production, recording podcasts, developing blogs and social media.
- Prepare students for advancement in careers in the public and private sectors, including in government agencies, consulting firms, media organizations, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations.
For more information, email: LoyolaSOC@luc.edu
CURRICULUM
These Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs begin with a broad, interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum drawing on courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and business.
Undergraduate service-learning, internships, research, and study abroad provide students with rich, experiential learning opportunities. Students then develop more in-depth understanding of policy issues and the professional skills necessary to influence policy outcomes as part of their graduate studies.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Environment | 3 |
ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
ENVS 218 | Biodiversity & Biogeography | 3 |
ENVS 320 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
ENVS 321 | Conservation Biology Lab | 1 |
ENVS 330 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 331 | Restoration Ecology Lab | 1 |
ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| 3 |
| Environmental Justice | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | |
ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
or ECON 328 | Environmental Economics |
| 3 |
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | |
| Bird Conservation and Ecology | |
| Energy and The Environment | |
| Environmental Sustainability | |
| Natural History of Belize | |
| Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | |
| Environmental Research | |
| Environmental Internship | |
| 3 |
| Integrative Seminar | |
| Independent Environmental Research (Capstone) | |
| Environmental Internship (Capstone) | |
| |
MPP 400 | Policy Design and Analysis | 3 |
MPP 401 | Analytical Tools in Public Policy | 3 |
MPP 403 | Public Budget and Finance | 3 |
MPP 404 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
MPP 405 | Statistical Methods & Analysis for Public Policy I | 3 |
MPP 406 | Statistical Methods & Analysis Public Policy II | 3 |
MPP 500 | Public Policy Evaluation | 3 |
MPP 502 | Professional Development Skills | 1 |
MPP 501 | Public Policy Internship | 3 |
or MPP 503 | Public Policy Practicum |
| 12 |
Total Hours | 106 |
BS Electives
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 3 |
| Environmental Journalism | |
| Gender, Health & Environment | |
| Climate and History | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| North American Environmental History | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Climate Change and Human Health | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | |
| Human Dimensions of Conservation | |
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | |
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | |
| Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | |
| Organizational Communication | |
| Environmental Advocacy | |
| Guerilla Media | |
| Digital Sustainability | |
| Nature in Literature | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| Environmental Psychology | |
| Science, Technology, & Society | |
| Global Inequalities | |
| Environmental Sociology | |
| The Sociology and Politics of Food | |
| Global Health | |
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | |
| Theology and Ecology | |
| 3 |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Introduction to Public Health | |
| Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | |
| Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | |
| Water Law & Policy | |
| Energy Law & Policy | |
| Food Systems Analysis | |
| Industrial Ecology | |
| Introduction to the Circular Economy | |
| Ecological Economics | |
| Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | |
| Climate Change and Human Health | |
| Sustainable Business Management | |
| Sustainability Management in the Global Context | |
| Human Dimensions of Conservation | |
| Conservation Economics | |
| Ecological Risk Assessment | |
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | |
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | |
| Environmental Economics | |
| Globalization and Environmental Sustainability | |
| Managing People and Organizations | |
| Global Environmental Politics | |
| 3 |
| Plants and Civilization | |
| Ornithology | |
| Soil Ecology | |
| Climate & Climate Change | |
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | |
| Bird Conservation and Ecology | |
| Energy and The Environment | |
| Environmental Sustainability | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Winter Ecology | |
| Invasive Species | |
| Sustainable Agriculture | |
| Agroecosystems | |
| Food Systems Analysis | |
| Natural History of Belize | |
| Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | |
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | |
| Field Ornithology | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | |
| Advanced GIS Applications | |
| Remote Sensing | |
| Introduction to Global Health | |
| Principles of Ecotoxicology | |
| Applied Environmental Statistics | |
| Ecological Risk Assessment | |
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) | |
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | |
| Special Topics (with SES approval) | |
| Directed Readings (with SES approval) | |
| The Human Ecological Footprint | |
| People and Conservation | |
| |
Total Hours | 9 |
MPP Electives
Students are required to take 12 hours of electives. Electives can be drawn from many departments across the university, including criminal justice, education, environmental studies, political science, public health, psychology, sociology and social work. These electives are where students can focus on their preferred field of policy. The following are some examples of optional courses:
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
CJC 401 | Politics and Policies in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
CJC 402 | Theories of Criminal Behavior | 3 |
MPP 407 | Local Economic Development | 3 |
MPP 414 | Affordable Housing Finance and Policy | 3 |
ELPS 405 | Introduction to Educational Policy Analysis | 3 |
ELPS 412 | Urban Education Policy | 3 |
SOWK 730 | Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy | 3 |
SOWK 732 | Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights | 3 |
School of Environmental Sustainability Graduation Requirements
All SES students are required to complete a foreign language requirement and a writing intensive requirement. The SES language requirement can be fulfilled by 1) earning college credit at the 102-level or above; or 2) demonstrating proficiency via the SES foreign language proficiency examination. The SES writing intensive requirement is fulfilled by successfully completing two Loyola WI courses (max of one per semester). Writing intensive courses have a “W” in the section number.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as Shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence.