School of Earth, Environment & Society

Discover Your Path. Shape Our Future.

PSU’s School of Earth, Environment and Society (SEES) prepares future scientists, researchers, and changemakers to take on the planet’s most pressing challenges. Study in a vibrant city surrounded by forests, mountains, and coastlines that become part of your classroom. Through interdisciplinary, hands-on learning, you’ll build the knowledge, skills, and experience to make a difference for people and the planet.

A Portland State student wearing a safety vest kneels in Marquam Park to examine a plant leaf.

EXPLORE MAJORS & MINORS →

Explore a variety of majors and minors while gaining real-world experience in Portland’s urban and natural environments.

A Portland State student sits in a lecture seat, actively speaking and gesturing with both hands during a seminar.

GO FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL →

Advance your expertise through master’s and doctoral programs, tackling complex environmental and societal challenges.

A group of Portland State students in life vests pose and smile while sitting in a raft on the Deschutes River.

GET INVOLVED →

Participate in student organizations, field trips, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.

A group of researchers conduct fieldwork on a sandy riverbank, with the Willamette River, bridges, and the city skyline visible in the background.

RESEARCH WITH IMPACT →

Work with faculty and community partners to address real-world challenges in climate, water, environmental justice, and more.

Our Academic Areas

Student filling out tags that represent migrants crossing the border

Two Portland State students working on a laptop at a table.

Four Portland State students collecting environmental data at Boiler Bay, using a clipboard and quadrant.

A Portland State student measuring a tree trunk in a forest as part of a class.

A group of Portland State students taking notes while sitting on rocks during geology fieldwork in a high desert landscape in SE Oregon.

Anthropology studies human biological and cultural diversity through space and time.

Anthropology

Complex Systems is a transdisciplinary field offering general principles and practical methodologies for understanding and impacting highly complex systems.

Complex Systems

Environmental Science & Management offers applied, interdisciplinary programs that focus on environmental challenges at local to global scales.

Environmental Science & Management

Geography helps you turn your passion for tackling today’s most urgent and global challenges in climate, landscapes, water, and social equity into real-world impact.

Geography

Geology offers programs in geology and earth science, as well as studies in geochemistry, planetary science, volcanology, glaciology, hydrogeology, and environmental and engineering geology.

Geology

Featured Content

Meeting the Moment

Uniting Disciplines for Greater Impact

PSU’s new School of Earth, Environment and Society brings expert faculty and students together to tackle climate change, natural hazards and environmental justice.

Discover SEES