Green Studies: The Fastest Growing Degree Program

Evidently green studies and environmental science are the fastest growing trends in higher education. Many colleges are developing majors and minors in the fields of green studies and environmental science, and students are quickly enrolling in this new field.
In 2009 alone, more than 100 new programs were created across the nation in energy and sustainability-focused degree programs, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. This is a drastic increase from 2005, when only three new programs were added in these fields.
Why the sudden increase?

“There’s a great perception that there’s a sweet spot with energy to do good and do well, and it appears to be the place of job growth,” said Rob Melnick, executive dean of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.
Arizona State University isn’t the only school to implement a hugely popular green studies program.
Illinois State University started a renewable energy program in 2008. So far the program has 65 students studying in the field and has more applicants than they can currently accommodate.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology launched its program in 2009. A survey showed that 43 percent of incoming students at MIT were extremely interested in the program, and MIT’s student energy club has rapidly grown in popularity, with more than 1,700 members.
Of course, the main question is whether or not these green studies students will be able to find jobs after graduation?
The answer is a resounding yes. The Obama administration expects jobs in the energy and environmental-related fields to increase by 52 percent between 2000 and 2016. This is drastically higher than the average growth expected for other occupations, which is only 14 percent.
So, if you are interested in green studies, check it out at your school. Chances are that if your school does not already have a degree program established, one will be created in the near future.
Via USA Today