Sustainability is a major area of growth across many industries, such as business, education, engineering and more. In this certificate, you’ll study systems thinking and solutions-based problem-solving to address sustainability challenges. You’ll also learn to communicate and collaborate with individuals from various backgrounds, preparing you to incorporate sustainability principles into any role. Additionally, this program provides you with the foundational knowledge required to integrate sustainable thinking into any academic or professional field.
Tailor your studies to your interests and career goals
In this sustainability certificate program, your core curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of sustainability and sustainability science, change management and sustainability leadership. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose electives that match your interests and career goals. Elective topics you can choose to explore include:
- Clean air, energy and water.
- Climate transformation.
- Corporate social responsibility.
- Human rights.
- International development.
- Policy.
- Sustainable food systems.
- Urban sustainability.
Please note you can be admitted to this certificate program with any accredited bachelor’s degree, it does not have to be in sustainability or related to sustainability specifically. This program generally attracts students who are hoping to transition into sustainability roles in their organization or have been tasked with implementing sustainability in their current role.
Should I earn a sustainability master’s or graduate certificate?
When deciding whether a sustainability master’s or graduate certificate is right for you, it’s important to take the time of completion and your specific career goals into account. The sustainability certificate includes 15 total credit hours, whereas the master’s program features at least 30 total credit hours.
The certificate can be taken independently as a source of professional development or as a supplement to another graduate program. If you’re a current graduate student interested in learning about sustainable concepts and how to incorporate them into areas of specialization, you may benefit from this certificate.
Additionally, non-degree seeking students can earn this certificate to learn about the field before enrolling in a full degree program. Students may be able to transfer credits from this graduate certificate into the Master of Sustainability Leadership program.
Arizona State University’s online sustainability certificate prepares you to integrate sustainable thinking into a variety of fields, including education, government and nonprofit work. Upon completing this program, you’ll be well-prepared to advance in your current role or provide sustainability insight that supports your organization’s environmental footprint.
This certificate consists of two core courses and three elective courses. Electives may be related to sustainability, your current program of study or another area of interest. The graduate certificate is designed to increase your knowledge of sustainable practices as you grow in your career.
The School of Sustainability recruits faculty from the finest practitioners in sustainability science, business, governance and mission-driven organizations. They cover a variety of disciplines — including business policy, renewable energy and environmental science — and strive to make the world more sustainable through use-inspired research.
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report and receives accolades from other prestigious organizations.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
university in the U.S. in pursuit of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Cool Schools” for sustainability by Sierra Club for campus sustainability.
best online bachelor’s programs.
best global universities.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate College and the School of Sustainability.
Application requirements (dropdown) Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of the student's first bachelor's degree program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Proof of English proficiency.
International applicants, who aren’t currently enrolled in a degree program at ASU, will need to have a TOEFL score of 100 or greater or 80% or greater in ASU Global Launch’s English for Graduate Admissions course.
No, Arizona State University’s certificates and diplomas don’t specify whether you earn them online or in person. All certificates, diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”