By the middle of their senior year, all students must complete a Human Ecology Essay (HEE). The HEE is a work of exposition, argumentation, extended description or narration. Students choose and develop a subject of personal or social significance through which they explore their perspectives on Human Ecology. Although separate from a paper done for a course, the HEE often evolves from coursework. Students occasionally chose to do a nonverbal "essay," or write a piece of fiction or poetry. The HEE is an opportunity for students to reflect on their COA education and to synthesize multiple areas of their study.

Most students choose to publish their human ecology essay in an annual publication produced by the senior class.  A collection of HEEs can be found here.