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Proposed New Undergraduate Degree Program
Marine Studies
College of Liberal Arts
Oregon State University
Market Research Documents
Contents
• Market Demand for a Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies Program: Analysis of National Employer Demand, Program Design, and Student Recruitment. EAB, 2018.
• Oregon State University student interest, conducted by OSU Policy Analysis Laboratory (OPAL)
o About OPAL (front webpage) o Email invitation to first and second year OSU students, inviting them to
participate in the survey during Fall 2018 o The survey questions o Results report, prepared by OPAL
For more information: Kristen Milligan, Associate Director, Marine Studies Initiative
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 1 eab.com
MARKET RESEARCH BRIEF
Market Demand for a
Bachelor’s-Level Marine
Studies Program
Analysis of National Employer Demand, Program Design, and Student Recruitment
COE Forum
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 2 eab.com
LEGAL CAVEAT
EAB Global, Inc. (“EAB”) has made efforts to verify the accuracy of the information it provides to members. This report relies on data obtained from many sources, however, and EAB cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided or any analysis
based thereon. In addition, neither EAB nor any of its affiliates (each, an “EAB Organization”) is in the business of giving legal, accounting, or other professional advice, and its reports should not be construed as professional advice. In particular, members should not rely on any legal commentary in this report as a basis for action, or assume that any tactics described herein would be permitted by applicable law or appropriate for a given member’s situation. Members are advised to consult with appropriate professionals concerning legal, tax, or accounting issues, before implementing any of these tactics. No EAB Organization or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, or agents shall be liable for any claims, liabilities, or expenses relating to (a) any errors or omissions in this report, whether caused by any EAB organization, or any of their respective employees or agents, or sources or other third parties, (b) any recommendation by any EAB Organization, or (c) failure of member and its employees and agents to abide by the terms set forth herein.
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COE Forum
Bridget Moran
Research Associate
Aliza Conway
Research Manager
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 3 eab.com
Table of Contents
1) Research Methodology .......................................................................................................... 4
Project Challenge .............................................................................................................. 4
Methodology and Definitions ............................................................................................... 4
Emsi Analyst™ and Emsi Alumni Insight™ ............................................................................ 4
Project Sources ................................................................................................................. 5
Profiled Institutions ............................................................................................................ 6
2) Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 7
3) Program Design .................................................................................................................... 8
Program Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 8
Curriculum ........................................................................................................................ 9
Experiential Learning Opportunities .................................................................................... 11
4) Enrollment and Recruitment................................................................................................ 14
Student Demographics ..................................................................................................... 14
Enrollment Trends ........................................................................................................... 15
Marketing Strategies and Messages ................................................................................... 16
Employers with High Demand ........................................................................................... 18
5) Market Considerations ........................................................................................................ 20
Employer Demand over Time ............................................................................................ 20
Student Outcomes ........................................................................................................... 21
Degree Completions ......................................................................................................... 22
Appendix: Networking Contacts ............................................................................................... 23
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 4 eab.com
1) Research Methodology
Leadership at Oregon State University approached the Forum as they considered the
development of a bachelor’s-level marine studies program. Through a combination of
qualitative interviews with administrators of peer programs, quantitative data
analytics, and secondary research, the Forum sought to assess the market viability of
a bachelor’s-level marine studies program.
EAB’s market research function provides insights which guide strategic programmatic
decisions at member institutions. The Forum combines qualitative and quantitative
data to help administrators identify opportunities for new program development,
assess job market trends, and align curriculum with employer and student demand.
EAB reports rely primarily on labor market data from Emsi Analyst and Alumni Insight
tools (description below). Reports occasionally use data from the United States
Census Bureau and United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data to explore
occupation and job trends. Market research reports may also incorporate Integrated
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data to assess student enrollment,
demographics, and completion rates across competitor programs.
Methodology: Unless stated otherwise, this report includes data from online job
postings from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018. To best estimate the market
demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals, the Forum examined
postings for professionals with a bachelor’s-level degree and relevant skills (e.g.,
‘environmental consulting,’ ‘environmental policy’). The Forum identified frequently
posted job titles, employers with strong demand, and frequently requested skills for
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals.
Annual growth in job postings is measured in the change between September 2016
and August 2018.
Definitions: “Region” and regionally” refer to the following states: California, Idaho,
Oregon, and Washington.
EAB’s Partner for Comprehensive Labor Market Data
This report includes data made available through EAB’s partnership with Emsi
(Economic Modeling Specialists International), a labor market analytics firm serving
higher education, economic development, and industry leaders in the U.S., Canada
and the United Kingdom.
Emsi curates and maintains the most comprehensive labor market data sets available
for academic program planning, providing real-time job posting data, workforce and
alumni outcomes data, and traditional government sources of data. Under this
partnership, EAB may use Emsi’s proprietary Analyst™ and Alumni Insight™ tools to
answer member questions about employer demand, the competitive landscape, in-
demand skills, postings versus actual hires, and skills gaps between job postings and
professionals in the workforce. The Emsi tools also provide EAB with in-depth access
to unsuppressed, zip-code-level government data for occupations, industries,
programs, and demographics. For more complete descriptions of the Emsi tools, visit:
Project Challenge
Methodology and
Definitions
Emsi Analyst™
and Emsi Alumni
Insight™
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 5 eab.com
• http://www.economicmodeling.com/analyst/
• https://www.economicmodeling.com/alumni-insight/
To learn more about Emsi and its software and services, please contact Bob
Hieronymus, Vice President of Business Development at
bob.hieronymus@economicmodeling.com or (208) 883-3500.
The Forum consulted the following sources for this report:
• EAB’s internal and online research libraries (eab.com)
• College Board (collegeboard.org)
• Regional Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (nces.ed.gov)
• The United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) (bls.gov)
• Profiled program websites:
– California State University-Long Beach, “Environmental Science and Policy,”
accessed on September 18, 2018. (http://www.cla.csulb.edu/programs/es-p/)
– Gettysburg College, “Environmental Studies,” accessed on September 18, 2018.
(http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/es/programs/major_minor.dot)
– Northeastern University, “BA in Environmental Studies,” accessed on
September 18, 2018.
(https://cos.northeastern.edu/mes/academics/undergraduate/ba-
environmental-studies/)
– University of California-Santa Barbara, “Environmental Studies Major,” accessed
on September 18, 2018. (http://www.es.ucsb.edu/academics/es-major)
– University of California-Santa Cruz, “The Environmental Studies Major,”
accessed on September 18, 2018.
(https://envs.ucsc.edu/undergraduate/index.html)
– University of North Carolina-Wilmington, “Environmental Sciences,” accessed on
September 18, 2018.
(https://www.uncw.edu/evs/Undergraduate/undergraduateprograms.html)
– University of Southern California, “Environmental Studies Major,” accessed on
September 18, 2018. (https://dornsife.usc.edu/environmental-
studies/environmentalstudiesmajor/)
– University of Washington, “Environmental Studies Major,” accessed on
September 18, 2018. (https://envstudies.uw.edu/undergraduate-students/)
Project Sources
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 6 eab.com
The Forum prioritized research of coastal institutions and institutions identified by
administrators at Oregon State University (i.e., California State University institutions,
University of California institutions). Due to the limited number of marine studies
program nationwide, the Forum profiled institutions with environmental studies or
environmental science programs. The Forum interviewed program directors and
profiled programs via secondary research at the following institutions:
A Guide to Institutions Profiled in this Brief1
Institution Location
Approximate Institutional Enrollment (Undergraduate/Total)
Carnegie Classification
California State University-Long Beach
Pacific West 31,500 / 37,500 Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Gettysburg College Mid-Atlantic 2,500 / 2,500 Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Northeastern University
Northeast 14,000 / 21,500 Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
University of California-Santa Barbara
Pacific West 22,000 / 25,000 Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
University of California-Santa Cruz
Pacific West 17,500 / 19,500 Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
South 14,500 / 16,500 Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
University of Southern California
Pacific West 19,000 / 45,500 Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
University of Washington
Pacific West 31,000 / 46,000 Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
1) National Center for Education Statistics
Profiled
Institutions
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 7 eab.com
2) Executive Summary
Require students in a prospective bachelor’s-level marine studies program to
complete an internship or capstone experience to confer hands-on skills.
Administrators at all profiled institutions highlight the importance of experiential
learning opportunities such as field work or an internship. All bachelor’s-level
environmental studies students at the University of Washington complete a three-
quarter capstone requirement. Students intern with an organization, such as a
government agency or nonprofit, and conduct research overseen by a faculty
member. Ensure a prospective bachelor’s-level marine studies program allocates time
and financial resources to a coordinator or faculty member to place students in
internships and field-based programs.
Highlight positive career outcomes in marketing messages to recruit
prospective students. Administrators at profiled institutions report prospective
students and parents often express skepticism about career options for environmental
studies program graduates. Consequently, administrators and faculty members
should educate students and parents about the field and career outcomes available
upon graduation. Administrators should present at admissions sessions, orientation
sessions, and major fairs to highlight student success. Once student enroll in a
bachelor’s-level marine studies program, provide career guidance in the first year and
during upper level courses to discuss career options and course alignment. Contacts
note that the environmental studies field provides many career options such as
environmental planning, consulting, and science. However, the variety of
environmental areas (e.g., water, land, atmosphere) and related career paths can
overwhelm often students without a clear direction.
Offer both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) marine
studies program to serve students with varied career interests. Five profiled
institutions offer both a BA and a BS in environmental studies or environmental
science. Contacts report offering both a BA and BS allows students to tailor the major
to different career paths, such as policy, planning, or a hard science-related career.
Regional and national demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies
professionals decreased between H1 2017 and H1 2018. Regional employer
demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals increased from 1,120
postings in H1 2014 to 729 postings in H1 2018 (i.e., a 29 percent decrease in
demand). In contrast, regional demand for bachelor’s-level professionals across all
occupations increased 13 percent (i.e., demand increased from 725,035 to 821,910
postings). Nationally, employer demand decreased from 4,668 to 3,785 postings
during the same time period (i.e., a 19 percent decrease).
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 8 eab.com
3) Program Design
Offer a Sustainability Concentration in the Marine Studies
Program to Align with Competitor Programs
Offer bachelor’s-level marine studies concentrations to allow students to tailor the
major to specific interests. All profiled institutions except California State
University-Long Beach and the University of California-Santa Barbara offer
program concentrations. Profiled programs offer concentrations in a number of areas.
Gettysburg College, Northeastern University, the University of California-
Santa Cruz, the University of Southern California, and the University of
Washington offer sustainability concentrations.
Contacts report strong student interest in marine studies-related areas. Three profiled
institutions offer ocean or marine-related concentrations (i.e., Gettysburg College,
Northeastern University, and the University of Southern California). Contacts at
Gettysburg College report strong student interest in the “marine and freshwater
ecology” concentration. Similarly, administrators at the University of Southern
California report the “oceans, life, and people” concentration enrolls the most
bachelor’s-level environmental studies students. Most “oceans life, and people”
students also minor in marine biology.
Administrators at Oregon State University should offer both a Bachelor of Arts (BA)
and Bachelor of Science (BS) marine studies program to serve students with varying
interests. California State University-Long Beach, Gettysburg College, the University
of California-Santa Barbara, the University of Southern California, and the University
of North Carolina-Wilmington all offer both BA and BS degrees for profiled programs.
Administrators report offering both a BA and BS allows students to tailor the major to
different career paths (e.g., policy and planning vs. a hard science-related career).
Contacts at Gettysburg College and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington
report the majority of bachelor’s-level environmental science students complete the
BS major. Conversely, 29 percent of University of California-Santa Barbara graduates
completed the BS program and 71 percent completed the BA program last year.
Administrators at California State University-Long Beach report an even split between
the environmental science and policy BA and BS programs.
Program Characteristics for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-Related
Programs
Profiled Institutions
Institution Program Name Minor Offered? Advertised Concentrations Modality
Advertised Tuition Per Term
California State University-Long Beach
Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Policy
Yes None In-person In-state: $2,871*
Northeastern University
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
Yes • International affairs
• Marine studies
• Public policy
• Sustainability
• Urban environmental issues
• Water issues
In-person $25,225*
Program
Characteristics
All institutions offer profiled programs in-person due to the hands-on nature of the degree. Additionally, programs mainly serve traditional undergraduate student populations.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 9 eab.com
Prioritize the Development of Planning and Management
Courses to Prepare Marine Studies Graduates for
Employment
Offer marine studies planning and management courses to prepare students for jobs
upon program completion. Nationwide employers exhibit strong demand for
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals with management and planning skills
(e.g., ‘natural resource management,’ ‘environmental planning,’ ‘management’).
Planning and management skills represent three of the 20 common skills national
employers most frequently seek from bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in
the past year. Administrators at the University of California-Santa Barbara and
the University of California-Santa Cruz report many environmental studies
students go on to work in environmental planning. Twenty-three percent of
bachelor’s-level environmental studies alumni from the University of California-Santa
Barbara work in environmental planning.
Require bachelor’s-level marine studies students to complete a writing and
communications course to prepare them for employment. National employers
Institution Program Name Minor Offered? Advertised Concentrations Modality
Advertised Tuition Per Term
Gettysburg College
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
Yes • Environmental policy and
management
• Environmental science
• Marine and freshwater ecology
• Sustainable development
• Wildlife and conservation biology
In-person $27,240*
University of Southern California
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
Yes • Climate, earth, and environment
• Environmental policy
• Oceans, life, and people
• Sustainability, energy, and
society
In-person $27,660*
University of Washington
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
Yes • Climate and society
• Conservation of living systems
• Environmental education and communication
• Environmental Policy and planning
• Food studies
• Sustainability
In-person • In-state: $3,736**
• Out-of-
state:
$12,196**
University of California-Santa Barbara
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
No None In-person • In-state:
$4,190**
• Out-of-state: $13,854**
University of California-Santa Cruz
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
No • Agroecology and sustainable food systems
In-person • In-state: $4,654**
• Out-of-
state:
$9,664**
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies
Yes • BA: none
• BS: conservation, physical
science, biological sciences
In-person Varies by credit
Curriculum
*Tuition per semester
**Tuition per quarter
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 10 eab.com
frequently seek bachelor’s-level marine studies students with communication skills
such as ‘writing’ and ‘presentations.’ Communication skills account for four of the 20
common skills national employers most frequently seek from bachelor’s-level marine
studies students in the past year. Administrators at Northeastern University, the
University of California-Santa Cruz, and the University of North Carolina-
Wilmington emphasize the importance of communications skills for bachelor’s-level
environmental studies and science students. Contacts note students must be able to
articulate and support arguments with scientific and quantitative information. All
bachelor’s-level environmental science students at the University of North Carolina-
Wilmington complete a scientific writing course. Similarly, all bachelor’s-level
environmental studies students at the University of Washington must complete a
writing and communications course.
Frequently Sought Common Skills for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies
Professionals
September 2017-August 2018, National Data2
Ensure a Prospective Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies Program Incorporates Hard Science Courses to Prepare
Students for Employment
Require bachelor’s-level marine studies students to complete hard science courses to
meet employer demand. National employers frequently seek bachelor’s-level marine
studies professionals with hard science skills such as ‘environmental science’ and
‘biology.’ Hard science skills account for four of the top 20 skills employers seek in
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in the past year. Regional and statewide
employers request bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals with ‘environmental
science’ skills in 633 of 3,189 postings (i.e., 20 percent of postings). Contacts at
Gettysburg College, Northeastern University, and the University of Southern
California emphasize the importance of a strong science foundation for
environmental studies students. Contacts at Northeastern University changed the
environmental studies major from a BA to BS last year and added an additional
science course to put more focus on the scientific aspect of environmental studies.
As expected, national employers frequently express demand for bachelor’s-level
marine studies students with social science skills (e.g., ‘environmental laws,’
2) Emsi Analyst
n=3,189 total job postings
244
244
270
275
310
310
319
323
341
350
384
431
488
510
541
752
799
960
1,271
2,084
Mentorship
Microsoft Office
Computer Literacy
Interpersonal Skills
Microsoft Excel
Project Management
Written Communication
Investigation
Construction
Problem Solving
Presentations
Innovation
Coordinating
Teaching
Writing
Research
Leadership
Operations
Communications
Management
■ Management and planning skills ■ Communication skills
Common skills refer to personal attributes frequently sought by employers across industries.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 11 eab.com
‘environmental education’). Social science skills represent four of the 20 hard skills
national employers seek from bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in the past
year. Specifically, ‘environmental laws’ represents the most frequently requested
social science skill, included in 1,307 of 3,189 relevant postings during the same time
period (i.e., 41 percent of postings). Students across profiled programs express
interest in environmental law, and administrators at Gettysburg College report six
percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies students pursue law degrees.
Additionally, national employers post 996 of 3,189 total openings for bachelor’s-level
marine studies professionals with ‘environmental education’ skills in the past 12
months (i.e., 31 percent of postings). Contacts at the University of California-
Santa Barbara, the University of California-Santa Cruz, and the University of
Washington report strong student interest in environmental education. Thirteen
percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies alumni from the University of
California-Santa Barbara report working in environmental education.
Frequently Sought Hard Skills for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies
Professionals
September 2017-August 2018, National Data3
Require Students to Complete an Internship or Capstone Experience to Prepare Them for Employment
Contacts at all profiled institutions report most environmental studies students
complete an internship or other professional development activity. Gettysburg
College, Northeastern University, the University of California-Santa Cruz, the
University of North Carolina-Wilmington, the University of Southern
California, and the University of Washington require environmental studies
students to complete a capstone (e.g., internship, thesis, capstone project).
Administrators at the University of California-Santa Barbara report over 75
percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies students complete an internship, a
research project with a faculty member, field study, or study abroad opportunity.
Sixty-seven percent of students enrolled in the environmental studies program at the
University of California-Santa Barbara complete at least one internship. Similarly,
over 75 percent of environmental studies students at Northeastern University
complete at least on co-op. Contacts at the University of Southern California report
3) Emsi Analyst™
Experiential Learning
Opportunities
Hard skills refer to specialized, advanced abilities such as ‘environmental laws’ and ‘biology.’
n=3,189 total job postings
191201204220229238241
248251284290297327
416456491
610633
996
1,307
Waste ManagementField Research
Environmental HealthEnvironmental Remediation
Land UseEnvironmental Consulting
Environmental StudiesGeology
Occupational Health And Safety*Regulatory Requirements
Resource ManagementEnvironmental Planning
Natural Resource Management
EcologyEnvironmental Compliance
Environmental PolicyBiology
Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Education
Environmental Laws
■ Social science skills ■ Hard science skills ■ Management and planning skills
*Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 12 eab.com
80 percent of students complete research with a faculty member or an internship. The
environmental studies program at the University of Southern California offers a
professional development internship course for credit. As a part of this course, a
faculty member pairs the student with an internship and faculty mentor.
Administrators note the faculty member who pairs students with internships must
possess allotted time for this role due to the substantial time commitment. Similarly,
the University of California-Santa Cruz employs a dedicated environmental
studies internship coordinator who places 600 interns a year.
Administrators at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and the
University of Washington require all bachelor’s-level environmental science/studies
students to complete a capstone or practicum experience. At the University of
Washington, all bachelor’s-level environmental studies students complete a three-
quarter capstone. For two of the three quarters, students complete an internship with
an organization such as a local nonprofit or government agency. Additionally,
students conduct research overseen by a faculty member in conjunction with their
internship. Contacts at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington report 95 percent
of bachelor’s-level environmental science students choose to complete an internship
for the practicum requirement.
The University of Southern California offers a sustainability study abroad program
where students complete coastal zone field experiences at Catalina Island and in the
Bahamas. This allows students to compare zone sustainability in two different
geographic climate and political settings. Before beginning the program, 70 percent of
students take a diver certification course. Administrators report diver certification
gives students a skillset graduate programs and employers value.
Experiential Learning Opportunities for Bachelor’s-Level Marine
Studies-Related Programs
Profiled Institutions
Incorporate Field Learning in Bachelor’s-Level Marine
Studies Courses to Confer Hands-On Skills
Contacts at all profiled institutions highlight the importance of field experiences for
students. Northeastern University, the University of California-Santa Barbara,
the University of California-Santa Cruz, and the University of Washington use
Administrators at the University of California-Santa Cruz report a survey of bachelor’s-level environmental studies alumni found internships represented the number one aspect program alumni value.
Internships
Research
Contacts at Northeastern University report the ability to conduct independent research attracts students to the program. Students often conduct social science research that examines coastal-human communities.
Study Abroad
Profiled programs offer study abroad programs that include field experiences. Forty percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies students at the University of Washington study abroad.
Environmental Studies students at the University of Washington learn and conduct research at University field stations such as Friday Harbor Laboratories in the San Juan Islands.
Field-Based Learning
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 13 eab.com
field stations affiliated with the institution. Northeastern University operates a
Marine Science Center on the peninsula in East Point Nahant where students can
complete field research in a variety of areas related to “understanding how the
projected impacts of climate change will affect marine habitats, and how urban
communities along the coast can best prepare for these impacts.”4 The University
operates a bus to and from the center daily. In addition to the University of California
Natural Reserve System, contacts at the University of California-Santa Cruz
report the campus serves as a field station. Natural land accounts for half of the
campus, and the University operates a certified organic research farm and forest
ecology research plot.
California State University-Long Beach, Gettysburg College, and the
University of Southern California partner with other organizations or institutions
to provide field and experiential learning opportunities. For example, California State
University-Long Beach belongs to the California State University Ocean Studies
Institute and the Southern California Marine Institute. The University also partners
with the Catalina Island Conservancy. The University of Southern California partners
with local organizations such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles and the
California Science Center to run course modules.
Design bachelor’s-level marine studies courses with field experiences to provide
students with hands-on learning opportunities. Contacts at all institutions note the
importance of field experiences incorporated into the curriculum. The University of
North Carolina-Wilmington offers one-credit, six-week courses dedicated to
learning one skill (e.g., seafloor mapping, restoration ecology, using drones to gather
data). Students spend five weeks learning the skill and then spend a weekend in the
field applying the skill. Administrators report high demand for these courses. Contacts
at California State University-Long Beach report trips into the field during 200-level
courses inspire students to remain in the environmental science and policy major
when they begin to take upper-level courses.
Field-Based Opportunities for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-
Related Programs
Profiled Institutions
4) Northeastern University
Courses All bachelor’s-level environmental science and policy students at California State University-Long Beach complete a course that includes a trip to the field.
Study Abroad
Each year, 20 bachelor’s-level environmental studies students at the University of Washington complete 10- or 25-day environmental studies study abroad programs in Peru or China.
Partnerships Gettysburg College partners with the Duke University Marine Lab and Gettysburg National Field Park to provide students with field experiences.
University Field Stations Environmental studies students at the University of California-Santa Barbara and the University of California-Santa Cruz complete field research and activities at sites part of the University of California Natural Reserve System. For example, environmental studies students at the University of California-Santa Cruz learn about natural history and land management while camping at the University of California Natural Reserves as part of the Natural History Field Quarter class.
Network While the University of Southern California does not own field stations, faculty members use professional connections to place students in field experiences.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 14 eab.com
4) Enrollment and Recruitment
Focus Recruitment Efforts on Prospective Students In-
State to Secure Program Enrollments
As expected, most students at profiled public institutions enroll from in-state.
Contacts at California State University-Long Beach, the University of
California-Santa Barbara, the University of California-Santa Cruz, and the
University of Washington report the majority of students live in-state.
Administrators at Gettysburg College and the University of North Carolina-
Wilmington report students from the broader regional area (i.e., Southeast United
States, the East Coast) most commonly enroll in the bachelor’s-level environmental
studies and science programs.
Work with community colleges to recruit students for a prospective bachelor’s-level
marine studies program. Contacts at the University of California-Santa Barbara and
the University of California-Santa Cruz report transfer students compose between 30
and 40 percent of students enrolled in profiled bachelor’s-level environmental studies
programs. California State University-Long Beach and the University of Washington
work with community colleges to ensure students can smoothly transfer into profiled
programs.
Finally, recruit students from local high schools who completed advanced placement
(AP) environmental science courses. Contacts at Gettysburg College, Northeastern
University, and the University of Southern California report students enrolled in
profiled programs often completed the AP environmental course in high school. In
2017, 159,578 students nationwide took the AP Environmental Science test.5
Characteristics of Students in Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-
Related Programs
Profiled Programs
5) College Board
Student
Demographics
• Majority in-state or regional
• Eighty-one percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies graduates from the University of California-Santa Barbara live in California
Local and Regional Students
• Slight majority female
• Females represent 58 percent of bachelor’s-level environmental studies students at the University of California-Santa Cruz
Females
Contacts at Gettysburg College, Northeastern University, and the University of Southern California report many students enrolled in profiled programs completed the AP Environmental Science
course in high school
•
AP Environmental Studies Enrollees
Profiled programs primarily serve traditional undergraduate students in the 18 to 22 age range with little to no professional experience.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 15 eab.com
Ensure Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies Students Can
Complete a Double Major or Minor to Meet Student Demand
Ensure bachelor’s-level marine studies students can feasibly complete a double major
or minor. Administrators at Northeastern University, the University of
California-Santa Barbara, the University of California-Santa Cruz, and the
University of Southern California report bachelor’s-level environmental studies
students frequently complete double or combined majors. Administrators at the
University of California-Santa Cruz report 24 percent of environmental studies
students completed a combined major with biology, earth science, or economics over
the past 15 years. Within the single environmental studies major, an additional 18
percent of students completed a double major. Administrators note combined majors
in hard science fields help students secure employment. Similarly, contacts at the
University of California-Santa Barbara report over 25 percent of environmental
studies students complete a double major or minor. Over half of environmental
studies students at Northeastern University complete a combined major, many with
international affairs.
All Profiled Programs Report Steady of Increasing Enrollments
Contacts at the University of Washington report environmental studies enrollments
increased after administrators decreased the number of major requirements to
approximately the same number of required credits for other majors on campus.
Administrators of the environmental studies program at the University of California-
Santa Barbara report the most students enrolled of all profiled programs with 1,000
students in the bachelor’s-level environmental studies program. The University offers
both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) program. Contacts at
institutions with steady enrollment numbers express satisfaction with the enrollment
numbers as an increase in enrollment would put a strain on the program and its
resources.
Enrollment Trends
Contacts Report Institution-Level Policy or Direction Affects When
Students Declare an Environmental Studies or Environmental Science Major
Students at the University of California-Santa Cruz cannot declare a
major until the summer before their third year. However, students still take environmental studies introductory courses before the third year. Similarly, students at California State University-Long Beach and the
University of North Carolina-Wilmington cannot declare a major during the first year. Only 20 percent of environmental studies students
at the University of Washington declare the major during their first year. However, contacts at the University of California-Santa Barbara and the University of Southern California report a growing number of students declare a major before enrolling due to changing admissions preferences. For example, of the 315 graduates from the University of
California-Santa Barbara’s program in 2017, 235 entered the program as declared first-year students or as transfer students (i.e., 75 percent of students).
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 16 eab.com
Reported Enrollments for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-Related
Programs
Profiled Institutions
Ensure Students from Other Majors Can Enroll In Introductory Marine Studies Courses to Expose More
Students to the Program
Allow undeclared students and students from other majors to enroll in introductory
marine studies courses to expose a wider of range of students to the major.
Administrators at Northeastern University report half of students enrolled in the
bachelor’s-level environmental studies major enrolled in program courses as
undeclared majors or switched from another major after exposure to the program
through the Introduction to Environmental Studies course. Contacts at the
University of North Carolina-Wilmington report students often enroll in
environmental studies courses to satisfy general education science requirements.
However, many students enjoy the courses and enroll in the environmental science
program.
Marketing
Strategies and Messages
350 students University of North Carolina-Wilmington
175 students California State University-Long Beach
130 students Northeastern
University
200 students University of Southern
California
Higher enrollment
Lower enrollment
1,000 students University of California-
Santa Barbara
300 students University of California-
Santa Cruz
100 students Gettysburg College
250 students University of Washington
Orange circles indicate increasing enrollments and blue circles indicate stable enrollment.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 17 eab.com
Present at admissions events, first-year orientation sessions, and major fairs to
recruit undecided students. Contacts at four profiled institutions report success
recruiting students at these events (i.e., California State University-Long Beach,
Northeastern University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington).
Additionally, present career information (e.g., employment projections, student job
placement) to help fight pre-existing beliefs from parents and students that
environmental studies and related majors limit career options.
Marketing Strategies for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-Related
Programs
Profiled Institutions
Use Student Outcomes-Based Marketing Messages to
Attract Career-Oriented Students Marketing efforts should make the connection between program enrollment and
career outcomes to appeal to outcomes-oriented students. Include information such
as labor market data, programs-specific career opportunities, and student
testimonials to appeal to prospective students. Further, administrators at California
State University-Long Beach emphasize the importance of career messages for
students looking at environmental programs. Contacts at multiple profiled institutions
Personal Outreach
Administrators at the University of Southern California partner with the admissions office and reach out by phone to all admitted students who declared an environmental studies major to encourage enrollment. Contacts report great success recruiting students with this method.
Information Sessions at Major Fairs and Student Orientation Contacts at California State University-Long Beach, Northeastern University, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the University of Washington report success recruiting students already on campus through major fairs and orientation information sessions.
Community College Outreach
California State University Long-Beach, the University of California-Santa Cruz, and the University of Washington reach out to community colleges and help students understand the requirements to transfer into the major.
Student and Alumni Word-of-Mouth Referrals Administrators at the University of Southern California highlight the importance of word-of-mouth referrals. Incentivize current student and alumni referrals to encourage student and alumni involvement in recruitment efforts (e.g., testimonials, dedicated leads-passing alumni). For additional EAB word-of-mouth marketing strategies, click here.
Introductory Courses Administrators at Gettysburg College, Northeastern University, and the University of California-Santa Barbara report introductory courses and science for non-science major courses expose students to the field and pique interest in the major.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 18 eab.com
note students and parents initially express concern over job prospects for
environmental studies students. Consequently, administrators and faculty highlight
career outcomes information to incoming students and parents. For more information
about how to effectively utilize student-centered marketing, see COE Forum’s
Competing on Student Outcomes to Attract Today’s Career Changers study (2017).
Student-Centered Marketing for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies-
Related Programs
Profiled Institutions and EAB6
Highlight Strong Demand from Environmental Consulting
Firms to Secure Program Enrollments
Highlight strong demand from nationwide environmental consulting firms for
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals to attract career-oriented students.
Environmental consulting firms such as SWCA Environmental Consultants and
Lakeside Environmental Consultants frequently post openings for bachelor’s-level
marine studies professionals. Collectively, these two firms post 96 out of 3,189 total
job openings for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in the past year (i.e.,
three percent of postings). Environmental consulting firms most frequently seek
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals for ‘environmental specialist’ and ‘field
technician’ roles. Contacts at California State University-Long Beach and the
University of California-Santa Barbara report students in profiled programs
frequently pursue environmental consulting. 6) EAB
Student-centered recruitment checklist:
Are students like me successful?
Why should I enroll in this program?
Will this program help me achieve my goals?
What are my next steps?
“Career opportunities for experts in environmental science and policy are expected to expand rapidly as society is challenged to find more sustainable approaches to problems in the energy, water, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. Environmental scientists will be in greater demand to monitor environmental quality, to interpret the impact of human actions on ecosystems, and to develop strategies for restoring ecosystems and for planning land uses.”
-University of Southern California
“Through courses such as Sustainability Studio students acquire skills to assess, communicate and implement change to increase the UW’s sustainability initiatives, including more efficient water, energy and transportation use, or increasing protected habitat and sourcing local food. Through a three-quarter Capstone series, students gain real-world experience addressing pressing environmental issues that impact our society.”
-University of Washington
“A degree in environmental studies has prepared graduates for positions in diverse career occupations including: environmental consulting and impact analysis, ‘green’ business, toxicology, public-interest lobbying, water conservation, outdoor recreation, environmental education, mineral and resource management, and recycling, hazardous waste management, and local and federal government agencies…”
-University of California-Santa Barbara
Employers with
High Demand
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 19 eab.com
Secondarily, highlight strong demand from engineering firms and nonprofits for
bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals. Engineering firms represent four of the
20 national employers with the most demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies
professionals in the past year (e.g., Aecom, Tetra Tech). Engineering firms most
frequently post bachelor’s-level marine studies openings for ‘project managers’ and
‘environmental service managers.’ Nonprofits National Audubon Society and American
Conservation Experience represent two of the 20 national employers that most
frequently post openings for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in the past
12 months, with 74 of 3,189 total postings in the past year collectively (i.e., two
percent of all postings). Nonprofits most frequently seek bachelor’s-level marine
studies professionals for ‘educator’ positions in the last year.
Employers who Frequently Seek Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies
Professionals
September 2017-August 20187
7) Emsi Analyst™
■ Environmental consulting firms ■ Engineering services firms ■ Nonprofits
16
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
18
19
19
20
23
26
32
33
33
41
52
76
Edison International
Stantec Inc.
University of Georgia
Atkins
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Key Energy Services, Inc.
Logan Simpson Design Inc.
Ryder System, Inc.
Tetra Tech, Inc.
Duke Energy Corporation
Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Lakeside Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Clean Harbors, Inc.
Lehigh Hanson Materials Limited
Aecom
American Conservation Experience
State of Washington
National Audubon Society, Inc.
Arcadis U.S., Inc.
SWCA Environmental Consultants
n=3,189 postings
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 20 eab.com
5) Market Considerations
National and Regional Demand for Bachelor’s-Level
Marine Studies Professionals Declined Between H1 2017
and H1 2018
Administrators should note a decrease in national and regional demand for bachelor’s-
level marine studies professionals between H1 2017 and H1 2018. National employer
demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals decreased 19 percent during
that time (i.e., demand decreased from 4,668 to 3,785 postings). Similarly, regional
demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals decreased 29 percent
between H1 2017 and H1 2018 (i.e., demand decreased from 1,120 to 795 postings).
In contrast, regional demand for bachelor’s-level professionals across all occupations
increased 13 percent (i.e., demand increased from 725,035 to 821,910 postings).
While national and regional demand for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals
declined, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects moderate long-term
employment growth for marine studies occupations. The BLS projects demand for
both “business operations specialists, all other” and “life, physical, and social science
technicians, all other” to increase nine and seven and a half percent, respectively,
between 2016 and 2026. The BLS projects demand across all occupations average to
grow seven and a half during the same time.8 “Business operations specialists, all
other” and “life, physical, and social science technicians, all other” represent two of
the three most in-demand occupations for bachelor’s-level marine studies
professionals in the past year.
Demand over Time for Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies Professionals
September 2016-August 2018, National and Regional Data9
8) Bureau of Labor Statistics 9) Emsi Analyst™
Employer Demand over
Time
508
681
822 820
619
565
693
559
780
144
181
196
136 140 133 136
176
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
Regio
nal jo
b p
ostings
National ob p
ostings
National postings Regional postings
Data for each half and month reflects unique postings within that timeframe. Postings duplicated across two timeframes (e.g., H1 2017 and H2 2017) are counted in each timeframe because they appeared during each period, meaning total job postings aggregated across the period shown exceeds the total number of unique postings for the overall period.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 21 eab.com
Ensure a Prospective Bachelor’s-Level Marine Studies
Program Provides Guidance to Help Students Focus in On a Career Path
Administrators at all profiled institutions note the broad nature of the environmental
field (e.g., water, earth, atmosphere, etc.) provides students with many course
options and career paths (e.g., environmental planning, consulting, research,
science). However, the multitude of options can be daunting for students with little
direction. Contacts note administrators, program coordinators, and faculty should
meet with students to discuss career pathing and course selection. All incoming first-
year environmental studies students at the University of Southern California meet
with a faculty member and discuss course selection and career planning.
As noted, administrators should include management courses in program curriculum
to prepare students for employment. Management positions represent nine of the 20
titles national employers most frequently post for bachelor’s-level marine studies
professionals in the past year (i.e., ‘program manager,’ ‘compliance manager’).
‘Project manager’ represents the most frequently posted title for bachelor’s-level
marine studies professionals nationally, with 131 postings during that time (i.e., four
percent of postings).
As expected, employers frequently seek bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals
for positions such as ‘environmental specialist’ and ‘environmental technician.’
Environmental positions account for six of the 20 titles national employers most
frequently post for bachelor’s-level marine studies professionals in the past year.
Contacts at the University of California-Santa Barbara report 77 percent of
bachelor’s-level environmental studies graduates go on to work in the environmental
field. Within the environmental field, contacts note graduates most commonly work in
environmental planning (government, private, or consulting), environmental science,
and environmental education.
Job Titles Employers Frequently Post for Bachelor’s-Level Marine
Studies Professionals
September 2017-August 201810
10) Emsi Analyst™
Student Outcomes
26
27
28
28
32
32
32
34
35
35
41
44
48
49
53
64
67
110
115
131
Program Assistant
Environmental Protection Specialist
Environmental Technician
Production Supervisor
Compliance Specialist
Environmental Services Manager
Safety Manager
Operations Supervisor
Environmental Specialist
Maintenance Manager
Field Technician
Environmental Manager
Compliance Manager
Program Coordinator
Transportation Planner
Program Manager
Project Manager
Environmental Specialist
Educator
Project Manager
■ Management titles ■ Environmental titles
n=3,189 postings
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 22 eab.com
Bachelor’s-Level Environmental Studies Programs
Experienced Moderate Growth Between 2014 and 2016
From 2014 to 2016, institutions nationwide report a three percent increase in
bachelor’s-level environmental studies program completions (i.e., reported
completions using CIP code 03.0103 increased from 6,560 to 6,727). All profiled
institutions except California State University-Long Beach and the University of
North Carolina-Wilmington offer bachelor’s-level environmental studies programs.
The University of California-Santa Barbara reports the most bachelor’s-level
environmental studies degree completions in 2016, with 240 completions. This
represents a slight decrease from 234 reported completions in 2014 (i.e., reported
completions decreased three percent). Half of profiled bachelor’s-level environmental
studies programs report an increase in degree completions between 2014 and 2016
while the other half report a decline in degree completions during the same time
period.
California State University-Long Beach and the University of North Carolina-
Wilmington report a decrease in bachelor’s-level environmental science (i.e., CIP code
03.0104) degree completions between 2014 and 2016. California State University-
Long Beach and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington report a three and 10
percent decline in degree completions during that time period (i.e., reported
completions decreased from 240 to 234 completions and from 72 to 65 completions,
respectively).
Bachelor’s-Level Environmental Studies Degree Completions
Profiled Programs, National Center for Education Statistics11
Institution CIP Code
2014
Completions 2015 Completions
2016 Completions
Percent Change
University of Washington
Environmental Studies
56 50 67 +20%
Gettysburg College Environmental Studies
31 35 33 +6%
University of California-Santa Cruz
Environmental Studies
210 213 221 +5%
University of California-Santa Barbara
Environmental Studies
240 247 234 -3%
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Environmental Science
72 77 65 -10%
California State University-Long Beach
Environmental Science
56 48 63 -13%
Northeastern University
Environmental Studies
15 31 12 -20%
University of Southern California
Environmental Studies
21 14 9 -57%
Nationwide Environmental Studies
6,560 6,680 6,727 +3%
11) Environmental Studies- CIP Code 03.0103, Environmental Science- CIP code 03.0104
Degree Completions
2016 represents the most recent year of available data.
©2018 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. 23 eab.com
Appendix: Networking Contacts
California State University-Long Beach
Dr. Christine Whitcraft
Associate Professor, Program Director
(562) 985-4820
christine.whitcraft@csulb.edu
Gettysburg College
Dr. Salma Monani
Chair, Associate Professor
(717) 337-6292
smonani@gettysburg.edu
Northeastern University
Dr. Brian Helmuth
Professor and Director, Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences
(781) 581-7370
b.helmuth@northeastern.edu
University of California-Santa Barbara
Eric Zimmerman
Environmental Studies Academic Coordinator
(805) 893-3185
zimmerman@es.ucsb.edu
University of California-Santa Cruz
Dr. Greg Gilbert
Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Studies
(831) 435-9170
ggilbert@ucsc.edu
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Dr. Jeff Hill
Chair and Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences
(910) 962-3264
hillj@uncw.edu
University of Southern California
Dr. Karla Heidelberg
Professor, Director of the Environmental Studies Program
(213) 740-0951
kheidelb@usc.edu
University of Washington
Dr. Kristi Straus
Acting Director, Lecturer
(206) 218-5080
kmstraus@uw.edu
1/15/2019 OSU Policy Analysis Laboratory | College of Liberal Arts | Oregon State University
https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/spp/opal 1/6
College of Liberal Arts » School of Public Policy » OSU Policy Analysis Laboratory
Welcome to OPALSPP · About OPAL · Sta� · Projects · Get Involved · Contact Us
OPAL is currently providing opportunities for graduate students to conductresearch on real world policy problems in �elds such as education, energy,climate change, and disaster response. Students use the quantitative andqualitative skills they have learned in class to provide support to clients facingsubstantive issues in the policy world.
Our current projects address several di�erent policy areas and bringcommunity clients, students and researchers together. This web site alsoprovides a record of our past work and lists policy briefs and research papers.
1/15/2019 OSU Policy Analysis Laboratory | College of Liberal Arts | Oregon State University
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If you are a potential client, you are welcome to submit a research request.
If you are a student and want to get involved, you may consider to apply to apolicy team.
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HIGHLIGHTS
CONTACT US
100L Bexell Hall 2251 SW Campus Way Corvallis, OR 97331 Lab Director: Dr. Erika Allen Wolters Erika.Wolters@oregonstate.edu
Contact SPP
About the survey: OPAL conducted the survey in Fall term, 2018, of all first and second year students enrolled at OSU. Total respondents = 629. The following is the email sent to students, requesting their participation in the survey. Dear Student- The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at Oregon State University (OSU) proposes to offer an undergraduate degree program in Marine Studies. We would like to find out your level of interest in a Marine Studies Program. As such, we are conducting a brief survey to gauge student interest and receive input about the program. If you are willing, please follow the link below to complete the survey. Follow this link to the Survey: (URL here) If you would like to learn more about the Marine Studies Program, a description of the program is provided below for your convenience. Thank you in advance for your time. Dr. Erika Allen Wolters Director, OSU Policy Analysis Laboratory (OPAL) School of Public Policy Oregon State University 100L Bexell Hall Oregon State University 541.737.1421 erika.wolters@oregonstate.edu What is a degree in Marine Studies? The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at Oregon State University (OSU) proposes to offer an undergraduate degree program in Marine Studies. Marine studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that explores the dynamic relationship between people and the marine environment. As the reach of anthropogenic impacts expands from the heavily populated coast to remote regions of the ocean (e.g. deep sea, areas beyond national jurisdiction, etc.), the marine environment has become a symbolic last frontier for exploration and exploitation. More than ever, it is essential to unravel these dynamics and better understand how people affect the ocean and, in turn, how the ocean affects humans. Conceptually, marine studies supports this understanding by emphasizing the human dimension of coasts and oceans, based on foundational knowledge about their physical and/or natural characteristics. This proposed
program includes a Bachelor major degree and a minor and broadly encompasses social scientific, arts and humanities disciplines solidly represented in the College of Liberal Arts. The degree program is for students who are keenly aware of the importance of the human dimension, broadly defined, of the marine environment as way to understand growing challenges and opportunities for the sustainability of our oceans and coasts. This program emphasizes place-based ocean literacy and sustainability, along with critical and creative thinking, inquiry and analysis – core elements of a liberal arts education - while working within and learning from diversity of faculty, students, communities, and cultures. Based on a solid foundation on the human dimensions of marine systems and places, students who obtain a degree in Marine Studies will gain expertise and understanding of the historical, social, cultural, economic issues currently faced by coasts and oceans, at a national and international level, grounded in solid knowledge of the natural and physical system and the diversity it supports. Students are uniquely prepared for employment in a range of public and private settings, and for continued education in graduate school, through the development of interdisciplinary and collaborative problem-solving skills, strong ocean literacy as it relates to current and future issues relevant to interconnected marine natural and social systems, and issue-based engagement through their immersive coastal experience. The Curriculum—Marine Studies Bachelor’s degree The Marine Studies undergraduate major will create both academic learning and professional outcomes that offer students broad application of skills across fields. The undergraduate Marine Studies Bachelor’s degree will include these key components: · A solid conceptual foundation of Marine Studies as an emerging interdisciplinary discipline that highlights human interactions with the marine environment; · Foundational coursework in lower division to develop critical thinking regarding human interactions with the marine environment, grounded on knowledge of its physical and/or natural characteristics; · Marine studies core coursework that provides students with interdisciplinary training, including diverse perspectives and methodological approaches to problem solving and decision-making, in marine related fields of inquiry across social sciences, arts, and humanities. · Required coastal courses offered at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) or offered at Corvallis with significant course dimensions integrating with HMSC · Advanced elective coursework to focus on ‘areas of distinction’ such as, but not limited to: conservation, environmental and social justice, politics and policy issues, arts and literature, entrepreneurship, and/or global and transnational perspectives
· An internship requirement to demonstrate experience in a marine context. · A capstone to develop and apply a range of social science and humanities methods and tools to the study of human interactions with the marine environment. The Minor The Marine Studies Minor will encourage students, especially those from non- natural science majors, who have an interest in human interactions with the marine environment to incorporate this field of study in their undergraduate experience. Students in this minor will complete a core suite of courses and, with the help of their advisor, choose tailored elective courses to expand their knowledge and experience of the primary major in a framework centered on issues of the coasts and ocean.
No interest
Some interest
Interested
Very interested
No interest
Some interest
Interested
Very interested
Environmental Conservation
Environmental and Social Justice
Political and Policy Issues
Arts and Literature
Entrepreneurship, including Tourism and Marine-based Businesses
Global and Transnational Perspectives
Other (please describe)
A Bachelor's degree in Marine Studies will focus on the dynamic relationship betweenpeople and the marine environment and provide interdisciplinary training for studentsto gain an understanding of the complex social, cultural, historical, and economicnature of the marine environment.
Block 1
Q1. OSU is planning to offer a Bachelor's degree in Marine Studies in the near future. Whatwould be your level of interest in enrolling?
Q2. If OSU decided to offer a minor degree in Marine Studies, what would be your level ofinterest in enrolling?
Default Question Block
Q3. What major area(s) of upper division 'area of distinction' would most interest you with theproposed Bachelor's degree?
BA: proficiency in a second language, including American Sign Language. This isequivalent to that attained at the end of the second year sequence with a grade ofC- or better.
BS: proficiency in scientific and quantitative approaches beyond what is required inthe baccalaureate core. This is equivalent to that attained by having completed, witha grade of C- or better, a minimum 15-credit block of computer science andquantitative studies (math and/or statistics).
Undecided
To get a job
To get a promotion at a job
To retain a job
To gain expertise in content area
To gain prestige of an advanced degree
For personal development
To gain skills in a liberal arts discipline(s)
To gain credibility in my profession
To change my field/profession
For flexibility in job options
Other (please describe)
Q4. If given the alternative between a Bachelor's of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor's of Science (BS),which one would you most likely pursue in the College of Liberal Arts/Marine Studies?
Q5. Which three of the following would best describe your reasons in seeking a Bachelor'sDegree in Marine Studies at OSU? (Rank your top three reasons with 1=most important,2=next in importance, etc.)
Position in the public sector
Position in the private sector
Position in the nonprofit sector
Position in a research/policy institute or think tank
Professional contractor for services
Position in business/industry
Government position
Self-employment
Graduate school
Other position in the private sector
Other (please specify)
Short-term stays at Hatfield Marine Science Center (one to three weeks)
Quarter-long residency options at Hatfield Marine Science Center to completerequired coursework and/or internship
Year-long residency at Hatfield Marine Science Center to complete requirements forgraduation, such as coursework and internship(s).
Hybrid courses requiring visits to the coast (e.g., weekend field trips)
Other (please specify)
Not interested
Q6. From the following list, please indicate which best describes your career goal(s) forobtaining a Bachelors in Marine Studies at OSU. Select all that apply.
Q7. This degree will require study and research experiences at the coast, for example atHatfield Marine Science Center In Newport, Oregon and the surrounding coastalcommunities. Rank your interest in these different ways to get these experiences (1=mostinterested, 2=next interested, etc.)
Click to write Choice 1
Gender
Please specify degree program
Q8. The following items are designed to help us interpret the responses of studentsinterested in the Proposed Bachelor's Program in Marine Studies. However, providing thisinformation is strictly optional.
What is your age in years?
Q9. Please indicate your gender identity.
Q11. What is your current degree program?
Marine Studies Survey Final Results
About the survey: OPAL conducted the survey in Fall term, 2018, of all first and second year students enrolled at OSU. Total respondents = 629.
This is the results report prepared by OPAL.
Q1. OSU is planning to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Studies in the near future. What would be your level of interest in enrolling?
1. No interest 38% 2. Some interest 25% 3. Interested 20% 4. Very interested 17%
Q2. If OSU decided to offer a minor degree in Marine Studies, what would be your level of interest in enrolling?
1. No interest 33% 2. Some interest 20% 3. Interested 20% 4. Very interested 27%
Q3. What major area(s) of upper division ‘area of distinction’ would most interest you with the proposed Bachelor’s degree?
Q4. If given the alternative between a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor’s of
Total and rank Environmental conservation
351 (1st choice)
Environmental and Social Justice
141 (2nd choice)
Political and Policy Issues
111
Arts and Literature
45
Entrepreneurship, including Tourism and Marine-based Businesses
124 Global and Transnational Perspectives
135 (3rd choice)
Other (please describe) Being outdoors, Environmental Sociology, Marine Ecology, Ecosystems, Animal Science, Zoology, Environmental Science, GIS (Geography), Veterinary Medicine, Historical marina habitat usage of humans, Architecture
Science (BS), which one would you most likely pursue in the College of Liberal Arts/Marine Studies?
1. BA 15.0% (96) 2. BS 74.0% (457) 3. Undecided 11.0% (66)
Q5. Which three of the following would best describe your reasons in seeking a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Studies in OSU? (Rank your top three).
Total and rank To get a job
240 (2nd choice)
To get a promotion at a job
62
To retain a job
65
To gain experience in a content area
312 (1st choice)
To gain prestige of an advanced degree 106
For personal development
221 (3rd choice)
To gain skills in a Liberal Arts discipline(s) 73
To gain credibility in my profession
139
To change my field/profession 103
For flexibility in job options
50
Other
Fix the environment, For fun, To learn about potential entrepreneurial opportunities as marine science intersects with technology, I want to, Love for the environment, Because this
is something I’ve always loved and cared about, To improve the environment, I find it interesting, To do something concrete to preserve the environment, To be outside
Q6. For the following list, please indicate which best describes your career goal(s) for obtaining a Bachelor’s in Marine Studies at OSU. Select all that apply.
Total and rank Position in the public sector
226 (1st choice) Position in the private sector
166 Position in the nonprofit sector
164 Position in a research/policy institute or think tank
223 (2nd choice) Professional contractor for services
35 Position in business/industry
73 Government position
169 (3rd choice)
Self-employment
63
Graduate school
20
Other position in the private sector 17
Other
Outdoor teaching, Position working in the field directly with people and doing scientific research, To be a vet, Widening my experience (to tie in with engineering), Already employed at US EPA, Retired, Strong interest in marine sciences, Already have a job
Q7. This degree will require study and research experiences at the coast, for example at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon and the surrounding coastal communities. Rank your interest in these different ways to get these experiences (1=most interested, 2=next interested, etc.)
Total and rank Short-term stays at Hatfield
346 (1st choice) Quarter-long residency options at Hatfield
324 (2nd choice) Year-long residency at Hatfield
214 Hybrid courses requiring visits to the coast (e.g. weekend field trips)
301 (3rd choice)
Not interested
26
Other
Remote projects at other coastal areas, Find a way to complete my school work but also be able to use research facilities here on the east coast instead of traveling 3000 miles, Something near me I live by the ocean, Mix of course options, hybrid through quarter long, Ecampus, Only if paid housing, Something easy for those with families, During term breaks,
Q8. Age
Age range from 18-56, majority of respondents were 18 or 19-years-old (288 of respondents).
Q9. Gender Identity Female 379 Male 162 Gender Fluid 2 Cisgender 1 Gender Queer 2
Trans-man 1 Non-binary 5 Q10. Degree Program- Students identified with the following majors: Agricultural Science, Anthropology, Animal Science, Aquatic Microbiology, Political Science, Wildlife and Fisheries, Psychology, Business, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Pre Vet, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioHealth, Natural Resources, Ecological Engineering, Art, Chemical Engineering, Exploratory, Electrical and Computer Engineering, History, HDFS, Horticulture, Hospitality, Integrative Biology, Natural Resource Management, Non-degree, Ocean Science, Rangeland Science, Sociology, Zoology, Climate Science, Nuclear Engineering, Philosophy, Public Health
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