Sustainability Certificate Program: Creating Community through Cohorts

University of Georgia

Year Founded: Jan. 1, 2016
Date Posted: May 15, 2017
Submitted by: Bailey Shea
Sustainability Topic: Curriculum
Content Type: Academic Programs
Office or Department: Sustainability Office
Program Type: Undergraduate Certificate/Diploma
Completion: 2-4 years
Distance: Local Only
Commitment: Full-Time

Description

The Certificate in Sustainability will enhance opportunities for integrative, applied learning in interdisciplinary settings as well as prepare students to address difficult global sustainability issues. The certificate will also work towards the University’s goal of incorporating sustainability into formal educational opportunities. Students across campus will benefit from an understanding of the framework of sustainability and an opportunity to apply skills and learning to real-world solutions.

The program requires 17 credit hours, consisting of the following: -- 1 Anchor Course (3 hours) -- 3 "Sphere" Courses - 1 from each sphere of sustainability (Ecological, Economic, Social) (9 hours) -- 2 Semesters of the Seminar Course, taken consecutively (2 hours) -- Capstone Project (3 hours) -- Completion of a Portfolio

*Note: Importantly, the "sphere" course requirement ensures that the certificate is interdisciplinary, and that students branch out of their field. This contrasts with some other sustainability certificates, which allow for tailoring to meet one's area of focus (e.g. business).

The Sustainability Certificate was officially approved for undergraduates in the spring of 2016 and graduates in the spring of 2017. In just one year, over 100 students have enrolled.


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