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  1. Academics ›
  2. Graduate Certificates

Sustainability Certificate

With more than 7 billion people on the planet, climate change dominating the headlines, and growing scarcity of natural resources, there is a strong need for individuals and organizations to design and implement effective sustainability and environmental management solutions. Through this professional graduate certificate, gain an advantage in the workplace, deepen your knowledge, and demonstrate your expertise in sustainability. 

Key learning outcomes

  • Understand the benefits of conventional and renewable energy systems; issues surrounding new transportation technologies; energy intensity of food production; effects of supply chain management and international commerce in energy security, energy management in buildings; and mechanisms needed to evolve into sustainable energy operations.
  • Implement sustainability management at the nexus of a local business, local government, and community, as well as use management systems and performance frameworks.
  • Leverage your knowledge of focused subject areas—such as environmental economics, greenhouse emissions management, sustainable building design, sustainable supply chain management, environmental toxicology, or risk management—to achieve a specific objective. 

Getting started

No application is required. You simply register for graduate courses during our fall, spring, or summer registration periods. 

Earning the Certificate

To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:

  • Complete five certificate courses for graduate credit.
  • Earn at least a B grade in each course.
  • Complete the courses within three years.

Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.

Certificate Courses

The professional graduate certificate in Sustainability requires five courses:

  • Environmental Management (ENVR E-101): This course is required of all students who begin the Sustainability certificate coursework in Fall 2017 or later.
  • Certificate core courses (choose at least 2 courses; may select up to 4 courses)
  • Certificate electives (may select up to 2 courses; however, electives are not required for this certificate)

Effective Fall 2017, the Sustainability certificate has a new configuration. Students who started coursework in Summer 2017 or before may choose to use the new configuration or may continue with the previous certificate configuration (i.e., two electives and three skills courses); students have three years from the date of their first course to complete the certificate.

All students will use the same Certificate Tracker in Online Services, regardless of which configuration they are pursuing.

Find Certificate Courses

If you’re also considering a master’s degree, select certificate courses can be counted toward a related degree field of study.

Sustainability Degree

Learn to evaluate and design practices, technologies, and systems that bring solutions to critical environmental
 challenges.

Learn more about Sustainability Degree

Related Certificates

Corporate Sustainability and Innovation Certificate

Learn to help companies embrace sustainable business practices

Learn more about Corporate Sustainability and Innovation Certificate

Green Building and Community Sustainability Certificate

Build skills in green building and community sustainability

Learn more about Green Building and Community Sustainability Certificate

Environmental Policy and International Development Certificate

Gain an understanding of environmental policies & solutions

Learn more about Environmental Policy and International Development Certificate

Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems Certificate

Explore ways to address the threats to our natural resources

Learn more about Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems Certificate

Summer Registration

Summer Registration

Registration for most summer courses is open March 4 to May 20.


To find courses that count toward this program, use the Extension catalog search

Have a question?

Have a question?

Our Enrollment Services team can answer questions about our graduate certificates.

Get Information

Certificate at a glance (Default)

Certificate at a Glance

Required Courses

5

Number of courses for this certificate. (You may complete all online.)

Start browsing courses

Average Cost

$13,750

Cost of completing the certificate courses, at 2018–19 tuition rates.

Time Investment

2

Number of years, on average, it takes to complete this certificate. You may take up to three years.

Learn more about requirements

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