Online College Guidance Solution, WiseChoice, Releases Its Latest Guide to “Green” College Programs

ALEXANDRIA, VA—(April 13, 2010)—In the four decades since the first Earth Day, “going green” has evolved from a cause to a career, and with that, many of our nation’s colleges and universities are adjusting their courses of study to ensure that their new “green” programs lead to productive careers.  Responding to this trend, WiseChoice, the comprehensive, online college guidance solution, today released its latest in a series of Top Ten Lists: The WiseChoice Guide to “Green” College Programs and Where to Find Them.

In the current economic climate, many traditional courses of study are becoming obsolete, and it doesn’t make financial sense to pursue them if the jobs simply aren’t out there,” said WiseChoice president Richard Taylor.  “Students—as well as their ever-watchful parents—are starting to explore other majors and careers during their college search, and nothing is hotter right now than environmental studies. With our extensive database, WiseChoice is able to give students a clear advantage in both their college choices and career searches.”

The WiseChoice Guide to “Green” College Programs and Where to Find Them

University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)

• Kentucky’s Von Allmen Center is pioneering academic research in “green” marketing to nurture future marketing managers.

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

• Launched in 2007, the B.A. and B.S. programs for Sustainable Specialists are part of ASU’s new Global Institute of Sustainability.

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

• Florida’s new B.S. in Sustainability and the Built Environment prepares a new generation of green architects and construction managers for careers in sustainable design, with its first graduating class being awarded degrees this year.

University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

• UC Berkeley’s major in Environmental Economics and Policy explores aspects of economic and political institutions, affecting the development and management of natural resources and the economy.

Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT)

• Middlebury introduced the nation’s first Environmental Studies degree, where future climate change analysts take courses from across the curriculum to build an interdisciplinary understanding of the human relationship to the environment.

Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI)

• Since 2003, Aquinas has offered a B.S. in Sustainable Business, combining coursework in business, physical science, and environmental studies for future Chief Sustainability Officers.

University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

• Students majoring in Urban & Environmental Planning focus on the environmental impact of community development, to prepare for public, private and non-profit sector professions.

Oregon Institute of Technology (Portland, OR and Klamath Falls, OR)

• The first of its kind in the country, this school’s course study in Renewable Energy includes wind power, fuel cells and bio-fuels, and places students with jobs in utility companies, consulting firms, manufacturers, and government agencies upon graduation.

Defiance College (Defiance, OH)

• Unique among undergraduate programs in the U.S., Defiance’s Restoration Ecology program offers a degree in the science of restoring and repairing damaged or destroyed ecosystems.

Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

• Future food policy and agricultural management specialists can major in Organic Agriculture Systems in a program that features a four-acre, certified organic teaching farm.

About WiseChoice

Launched in October, 2009, WiseChoice is the most comprehensive online college guidance solution currently available and features expert advice, scholarship information, personalized financial aid scenarios, school statistics, academic outlook and reviews by more than 100,000 surveyed college students.  By matching students with the “best-fit” college options across all facets, WiseChoice aims to help students have a successful college experience both in and out of the classroom.

Unlike other college search and selection sites that offer limited resources, WiseChoice helps parents and students figure out how to pay for college, identify scholarships and financial aid, and develop a payment plan.  WiseChoice can even calculate the true overall cost of college – including tuition, room and board, fees, travel, personal expenses, books, etc. – before students even apply to schools to ensure that students and their families incur as little debt as possible at college graduation.