Academic Programs

Global Sustainability Certificate

Certificate Description:

The program is intended to prepare students to address complex regional, national, and global challenges related to sustainability and the ability to innovate in diverse cultural, geographic, and demographic contexts. The graduate certificate program is unique as the curriculum is fully integrated to provide a systems perspective for learning and development of an analytical perspective. The target student audience can come from a diverse array of backgrounds and career interests as the program provides a sustainability framework to be used as a foundation for any career. The primary goal of the program is to foster sustainability principles and critical thinking, equipping students with the tools needed to address the grand challenges of sustainability.

The certificate program in Global Sustainability insures understanding of the principles of sustainability and the interdependence of the environment, the economy, and social systems to become effective stewards of natural resources and the environment. The program seeks to advance students' ability to understand and address real-world environmental problems; apply systems approach to manage social-ecological systems; and develop critical thinking skills for affection decisions involving environmental policy, resource management, biodiversity conservation, and human health. The program takes a pragmatic systems perspective and holistic approach to address issues of sustainability that consider water, energy, and food sustainability and security.

Students completing the certificate will achieve an advanced understanding of the sciences of sustainability; its real world application; and increase opportunity for job advancement. The program will allow students from diverse backgrounds to pursue interests in sustainability sciences in some depth without requiring the breadth of course work and extensive research required for the Master's degree.

Course Location/Delivery:

The Certificate is offered both fully online and on campus.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must meet University Graduate Admissions and English Proficiency requirements.

Application Process:

To learn about the application process, and to access the application, please review our application process.

Pre-Requisites:

None.

Curriculum Requirements (12 Credit Hours):

  • IDS 6233 Concepts and Principles of Sustainability (Credit Hours: 3)
  • IDS 6234 Systems Thinking: The Key to Sustainability (Credit Hours: 3)
  • IDS 6235 Economics and Finance for Sustainability (Credit Hours: 3)

And select one of the following:

  • IDS 6216 Implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Credit Hours: 3)
  • IDS 6276 Navigating the Sustainable Food/Energy/Water Nexus (Credit Hours: 3)
  • IDS 6280 Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (Credit Hours: 3)

Time Limit / Average Time to Completion:

The approximate time to complete the Certificate is two years.

Credit Toward Graduate Degree:

Up to 12 hours of certificate course credits may be applied to a graduate degree with departmental approval.

Contacts:

Contact Information: