Who We Are
The Environmental Education (EE) program at Southern Oregon University goes far beyond classes. We are dedicated to creating exceptional educators, offering outstanding EE youth programs for the region, increasing representation in the field of EE, and producing leaders in the EE field.
In addition, our program serves as a hub for EE networking and resources throughout southern Oregon through our EE Office. Our students provide EE expertise to local schools and non-profit programs through internships and our ever-growing collection of hands-on, place-based natural science kits. We also connect our students to the ever-developing field through events, internships, and jobs.
Find out more about our kits, our Fall in the Field school programs, and our graduate program below. And if you’re curious about what it’s like in the program, take a look at our blog, which is always being updated with new information!
Student Resources
The Master of Science in Environmental Education program combines training in educational practices with knowledge of the natural sciences. Students gain teaching skills including curriculum building, student management, and standards alignment to go along with their natural science knowledge. The program also places students in a variety of leadership roles to prepare them for careers such as educational directors, program directors and other leadership roles in the field of Environmental Education. These experiences are interwoven in the development and delivery of our capstone project, Fall in the Field.
Natural Science Kits
The Environmental Education Program at SOU is proud to offer unique educational resources in our Natural Science Kits for loan to educators in Jackson, Josephine and Klamath Counties free of charge. The kits allow your students to explore and investigate the local ecology of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion from birds and mammals to streams and forests.
Fall in the Field (FITF)
Each year our graduate students design and deliver our signature program, Fall in the Field, to more than a thousand students in our region. The place-based program is delivered to students ranging in age from second grade to high school at several field sites including the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The program includes both day and residential programs.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
In alignment with the values of Southern Oregon University, the SOU Department of Environmental Education (EE) is deeply committed to celebrating the diversity of educators within the field of EE as we develop future leaders of varied and vibrant backgrounds. We recognize that historic systems have resulted in a lack of representation within the field of Environmental Education, and we are committed to our role in addressing barriers to access as we work collectively toward a future of environmental wellbeing for all. As an integral part of our work, the EE department is dedicated to fostering equitable, inclusive, and successful learning experiences for all participants.
Nationally Accredited Graduate Program
by the North American Association for Environmental Education