Major
Minor
Coastal Environmental Science
Coastal Environmental Science
One morning you’re mapping tidal zones; that afternoon, you’re kayaking through estuaries to study how fresh and saltwater shape coastal life. The next day, you’re back in the lab analyzing what you found. Here, fieldwork isn’t something you wait for... It’s how you learn, explore, and connect to the world around you.
Research That Makes a Difference
Research That Makes a Difference
You’re not just studying the coast; you’re helping protect it. You’ll join research teams restoring oyster reefs, improving water quality, and studying the effects of changing climates on local ecosystems. Professors become mentors, experts who dive in beside you, teaching you how to ask the right questions and pursue answers that matter.
You’ll present your findings at campus symposia, partner with local organizations, and share your research at regional and national conferences. The confidence you build here prepares you for graduate school, fieldwork around the world, and a career that helps shape the future of our planet.
High-Impact Experiences
High-Impact Experiences
From your first semester, you’ll step into the role of a scientist, testing water samples, collecting field data, and studying how coastlines change over time. You’ll design and contribute to real research projects that address pressing issues like water quality, ecosystem resilience, and wildlife conservation, giving you the kind of lab and field experience most students don’t see until graduate school.
Classes often start with boots in the sand or kayak paddles in the water. You might chart erosion patterns along the beach, monitor seagrass beds in Matanzas Bay, or record wildlife behavior at dawn. Every trip connects your coursework to the natural world and teaches you how to apply scientific methods to living, shifting environments.
You’ll work directly with environmental partners, from local conservation nonprofits to state and county resource managers. Whether you’re helping restore oyster reefs, supporting sustainability initiatives, or analyzing pollution sources in the San Sebastian River, you’ll see how your data can drive real decisions and positive change in your own community.
Your classroom expands far beyond St. Augustine. In Bermuda, you might dive among coral reefs while studying marine biodiversity; in Belize, you could help protect sea turtles or examine mangrove ecosystems. These global experiences reveal how coastal systems connect and how your work at home contributes to the broader picture of ocean conservation.
You’ll find your people fast... through Dive Club, Green Beans, or by joining a beach cleanup on a Saturday morning. You’ll share discoveries, celebrate breakthroughs, and see the coast through fresh eyes every day. The community you build here will shape your future as much as your coursework.
Your Path Forward
Your Path Forward
A degree in Coastal Environmental Science gives you the knowledge and confidence to lead change. You’ll be ready for careers in wildlife conservation, coastal restoration, environmental policy, and marine research—or to continue your studies in graduate programs across the country.
Where You Could Go:
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Coastal and Marine Research Organizations
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Environmental Consulting Firms
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Aquariums and Marine Education Centers
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State and Local Environmental Agencies
Alumni in Action:
One graduate now manages coastal restoration projects for St. Johns County. Another is researching seagrass health and water quality as part of a Ph.D. program at the University of Florida. Their work began right where yours will... along this coast.
Coastal Environmental Science News
Coastal Environmental Science News
Podcast: Breaking Eggs - Natural Sciences Department with Dr. Serron
Meet your Faculty
Meet your Faculty
Your professors are coastal scientists, ecologists, and environmental advocates who believe in learning by doing.
You’ll get one-on-one support with small class sizes and a quality education in a tightly-knit community.
Why Flagler?
Why Flagler?
High-impact programs, taught by world-class faculty. A tight-knit, inclusive academic community where all people and ideas are welcome. All in a historically rich, uniquely beautiful Atlantic coast setting.
Forge your path in this world. Start here.
More Coastal Environmental Science News
More CES News
Find out what's going on with Coastal Environmental Science students, faculty, and alumni.
- Read Carly Shaw's #FCGradStory. (2024)
- Watch: Dr. Matt Brown discusses local water quality, student research on First Coast Connect
- Read: Coastal Environmental Science students present at West Coast conference (2023).
- Read: Using discarded oysters to save our shores (2022)
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
A degree in Coastal Environmental Science from Flagler opens doors. Whether drawn to research, tourism, environmental policy, or resource management, our program prepares you with the skills and experience to make an impact. Ready to protect our planet and make a difference? Start here.
What Can I Do With a Major in Coastal Environmental Science?
Cost & Financial Aid
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition at Flagler College is below the national average. You’ll receive an exceptional private education at an affordable cost.
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Experience coastal ecosystems around the world. Through Flagler’s study abroad program, you’ll go beyond the local environment and explore unique coastal areas globally. From diving into shipwrecks in Bermuda to protecting sea turtles in Belize, you’ll gain a world of experience—and unforgettable memories.
