School of Earth and Sustainability

Where ideas take root

If you’re asking big questions about the planet’s future and your role in shaping it, the School of Earth and Sustainability (SES) is for you. Whether you’re collecting water samples in the field, coding climate models in the lab, or designing sustainable systems with community partners, your education will be as immersive as the landscapes around you at NAU.

Why study Earth and Sustainability at NAU

Flagstaff offers a unique landscape, surrounded by forests, mountains, rivers, and deserts. You’ll study at some of the world’s most extraordinary natural laboratories: The Grand Canyon, the San Francisco Peaks, the Colorado Plateau, and volcanic fields across the Southwest. 

At SES, you’ll be joining a community of explorers, problem-solvers, and changemakers tackling challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, natural hazards, and sustainable design.

Ready to plant the seeds of change?

SES students are naturally curious, bolder thinkers and highly driven. You’ll explore the planet from every angle: coding climate models, collecting data in the field, mapping groundwater, or designing sustainable systems. Our interdisciplinary programs help you connect science, people, and policy to tackle global challenges from the ground up.

What you can expect

• Studying in the Grand Canyon
• Coursework will be a blend of classroom learning with labs, field experiences, and independent research. 
• Learn through applied research, capstone projects, and internships. 
• Deepen your expertise with thesis research, assistantships, and conferences

Learning outcomes for undergraduates

At the School of Earth and Sustainability you will:

• explore the concept of global and local sustainability using examples from natural science, social science, and humanities perspectives.
• identify and effectively communicate environmental issues and sustainable solutions using natural science, ethical, and social science principles.
• learn about the components of, and the interactions between, the Earth system such as lithosphere, hydrosphere, soils, atmosphere, and how people and society interact with these systems.
• investigate the effects of resource use and management within linked natural and social systems and learn ways to maintain healthy ecosystem services.

Dedicated support

Faculty who teach through discovery

Partner with faculty experts who guide hands-on learning in the field, lab, and beyond. Our professors support student success through active involvement in internships, collaborative research and professional development.

Supportive community

SES programs are designed with student support in mind. Alumni- and donor-funded scholarships help cover expenses and open doors to opportunities like summer fieldwork and research projects. At SES, you’ll get an education that’s both personal and transformative.

Graduate study at SES

You can pursue advanced training in Environmental Sciences & Policy, Geology, Climate Science & Solutions, and a PhD in Earth Sciences & Environmental Sustainability. Whether your goal is deep research, applied solutions, or policy leadership, you’ll find programs designed to expand your expertise and impact.

Before applying to a thesis-based program, you must connect with a faculty sponsor whose research aligns with your interests. This ensures your graduate experience is both personal and purposeful from the start.

Once you have identified and confirmed a faculty sponsor to work with, you’ll need to complete the following steps to apply to an SES graduate or PhD program.