Science - Environmental sciences or sustainability

In the context of business and the economy, sustainability is built on three fundamental pillars. These are also called the triple bottom line:

1. People: Something that is sustainable benefits individuals and communities.
2. Planet: A sustainable concept or action that respects the natural environment.
3. Profit: The sustainable idea must also make financial sense.

As a degree and career, sustainability focuses on the theories and principles used to address issues related to the environment, economy and society. In this program, you’ll apply these topics with an emphasis on solving current and future environmental issues. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to:

• Build a vision for long-term solutions.
• Identify and mitigate risk.
• Impact lives locally and globally.

This program also includes community engagement, experiential learning, faculty collaboration, leadership development and study abroad opportunities to provide a well-rounded experience.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This online sustainability program is geared toward students interested in the social and human aspects of sustainability. You’ll focus on the impacts of environmental challenges we experience on a large and individual scale. During this program, you’ll explore how humans perceive sustainability and what influences their behaviors and actions toward the environment.

You’ll focus on urban design, community resources, environmental policies and the global outlook we can gain and share from other countries and communities. The ideal candidate may have experience working for the local government, utility-related companies, military services, parks and recreation, transportation services or nonprofit organizations.

How this BA compares to other ASU Online sustainability programs

The bachelor of arts in sustainability is a good fit for students with an interest in social sciences, humanities, urban planning or related fields. This interdisciplinary program includes a higher-level language requirement than the bachelor of science, but has a lower math requirement. The bachelor of arts program also features four degree tracks to personalize your learning experience:

• International development and sustainability.
• Policy and governance in sustainable systems.
• Society and sustainability.
• Sustainable urban dynamics.

Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in sustainability is best suited for students inclined toward natural sciences, economics, engineering or related fields. The curriculum for the bachelor of science places greater emphasis on math and sciences.

Please note, this program is also distinct from the Bachelor of Arts in Business – sustainability, which focuses on balancing sustainability with business needs to ensure success.

Global businesses increasingly seek to hire leaders to help them grow and prosper while reducing environmental impacts. This business concentration in sustainability prepares you to meet this demand. The curriculum focuses on building the knowledge necessary to influence growth, improve returns on capital and manage risk through sustainable practices.

By learning how to incorporate green practices into business models and throughout the supply chain, you’ll also help companies save costs, reduce environmental stress and improve their brand images. Leaders in this space provide value to employers by enhancing their eco-friendly reputations and reducing their carbon footprints while accelerating growth simultaneously.

The skills and knowledge you’ll gain in this program

This transdisciplinary program features core business and rigorous sustainability courses that make up the concentration. As a student, you’ll develop analytical and strategic skills, equipping you to rethink the nature of business and graduate ready to create a more sustainable future.

The foundational business core includes topics such as accounting, economics, finance, business writing and management. Concentration courses focus on developing your expertise in the societal, scientific and business aspects of sustainability. Additionally, you’ll build a comprehensive understanding of how to evaluate and create eco-friendly practices, as well as make decisions for short- and long-term gains.

This program allows you to build a custom degree by combining two academic disciplines into one major.

You’ll select two concentrations from more than 40 available options, with advisors available to help you choose the ones best for you. It's an ideal program for those who are undecided on a major or want to pursue multiple areas of study.

One of the most popular combinations is to pair a concentration in business with a second focus in psychology. Other complementary options include:

• Applied business data analytics and business
• Business and project management
• Business and real estate
• Counseling/applied psychology sciences with family studies
• Family and human development and communication
• Personal health and integrative health
• Project management and sustainability
• Science, technology and society with technical entrepreneurship and management
• Sales and marketing essentials and organizational leadership

A culminating experience with a focus on experiential learning

IDS 401 is the program’s culminating experience in which you’ll arrange, plan and execute a learning project. Throughout this course, you’ll be guided in applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating interdisciplinary concepts to a real-world problem.

You’ll choose from one of the three options below. The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts will work with you to help you find a project that fits your interests. No matter which you choose, the experience will integrate both your concentrations in a meaningful way:

• Applied study: The applied study is a traditional work experience where you’ll spend 120 hours at a site of your choosing putting your integration and concentration area knowledge into practice. In addition to the hours completed onsite, there will be an online class component where you’ll reflect on your internship work.
• Directed study: A directed study is a thesis, creative or research project that you’ll design in consultation with a faculty member. This option is best suited for you if you’re interested in graduate school or have a creative project you’re interested in pursuing. This can be a great way to start a CV, create a portfolio or design your own project.
• Research fellows: You’ll partner with School of Applied Sciences and Arts faculty to assist them with research and ongoing faculty-led projects. This option is highly competitive, so you should begin planning for this option early.

Upskill with a master’s degree

This bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Liberal Studies
• Master of Project Management
• Master of Science in organizational leadership