The Environmental Science & Studies (ESS) program at the University of St. Thomas is unique among environmental programs in the United States. While many universities offer programs that study the environment from the perspective of ecology or economics, UST is able to go a step further to explore environmental issues from a moral perspective in light of the Catholic intellectual tradition.

The program educates students as to the moral imperative to care for the earth, especially as advanced by Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI. At the same time, it equips students with the technical skills needed to pursue graduate studies or become entry-level environmental professionals. The program also focuses on urban issues, with opportunities for hands-on field experiences and community service. The university’s location in Houston near Buffalo Bayou, the Houston Arboretum, the ship channel, and the Gulf of Mexico presents unique opportunities for environmental training and field work.