Curriculum

Introduction

One of the primary functions of colleges and universities is to educate students. By training and educating future leaders, scholars, workers, and professionals; higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to understand and address sustainability challenges. Institutions that offer courses covering sustainability issues help equip their students to lead society to a sustainable future.

7980 resources

UConn Reserach Gathers Critical Information Needed in Fight to Save Wildlife

  • University of Connecticut (CT)

An international group of top biologists led by UConn ecologist Mark Urban is calling for a coordinated effort to gather important species information that is urgently needed to improve predictions ...

  • Posted Sept. 14, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Furnace Brook Center Smart Home Laboratory

  • Onondaga Community College (NY)

Onondaga Community College has created a smart home laboratory at the College's Furnace Brook Center with the help of a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Energy ...

  • Posted Sept. 14, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Environmental Science

  • Stetson University (FL)

Students graduating from Stetson University with a B.S. degree in Environmental Science will work within solid ethical and scientific frameworks to make well-supported decisions to protect natural resources, develop ...

  • Posted Sept. 13, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Environmental Studies

  • Stetson University (FL)

Students graduating from Stetson University with a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies will work within solid ethical and scientific frameworks to make well-supported decisions to protect natural resources, develop ...

  • Posted Sept. 13, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Boreas Leadership Program - University of Minnesota

  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

Boreas offers University of Minnesota graduate and professional students and post-doctoral fellows free co-curricular leadership development opportunities that build on the strengths of graduate education to create effective change agents ...

  • Posted Sept. 13, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Columbia University: Tree-Ring Extraction

  • Columbia University (NY)

Williams and the others set to work extracting tree rings, by which they can gauge how various species have reacted to past swings in precipitation and temperature. The basic tool ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Timber Frame Bike Shelter

  • Green Mountain College (VT)

Renewable Energy & Ecological Design Major (REED) Adam Zais '16 building a Timber Frame bike shelter on campus.

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Classroom as Cinema: Using Film to Teach Sustainability

  • Furman University (SC)
  • Western New England University (MA)

While the advent of movies in the classroom does not quite date to the invention of the motion-picture camera itself in 1889, given its near-universal power to draw students' attention ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

A collaborative programme in sustainability and social responsibility

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to collect methodological strategies used in the training of future teachers to develop competences in sustainability and social responsibility (SSR). The proposal in ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Assessing sustainability teaching and learning in geography education

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • University of Oklahoma (OK)

Purpose

This study aims to understand if geographers, who teach in a new sustainability program, are conveying new knowledge, understanding, skills and competence about the integrated and holistic concept of ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Integrating sustainability across the university curriculum

  • University of Pennsylvania (PA)

Purpose

Colleges and universities increasingly have the mandate and motivation to integrate sustainability into their curricula. The purpose of this paper is to share the strategy used at the University ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Appalachian State University students have a hands-on sustainability experience

  • Appalachian State University (NC)

Appalachian State University’s leadership in sustainability education can be traced back to more than 25 years. The university houses the nation’s longest running Sustainable Development Program (est. 1991 ...

  • Posted Sept. 12, 2016
  • Photographs
  • View more

Event organized by Institut EDDEC

  • Polytechnique Montréal (QC)

This photo was taken during the "Transition towards a circular economy: opportunities and challenges for Quebec and Canada" event organized by the EDDEC Institute in May 2016 in Montreal.


Good Business Friday Discussion

  • Babson College (MA)

Weekly discussion of sustainability in business hosted by the Lewis Institute at Babson.


Tapping campus maple trees

  • Babson College (MA)

Students, faculty, and staff working together to tap campus maple trees to make maple syrup.


Learning our campus trees

  • Babson College (MA)

Ecology course studying trees on campus


Engaged Learning in Costa Rica course

  • Babson College (MA)

Faculty and students on sustainability course in Costa Rica


Ecoroof Management Plan

  • Portland State University (OR)

The Broadway Residence Hall at Portland State University received LEED Silver certification in 2004,with a combination of sustainable construction practices and green building features, including a 18,000 square ...


Classes at Sterling College

  • Sterling College (VT) (VT)

A Practical Guide to the United Nations Global Compact for Higher Education Institutions

This publication offers guidelines for higher education institutions in implementing the ten principles of the UN Global Compact within the organization and then leading their global adoption.

  • Posted Sept. 6, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

A Mixed Methods Assessment of the Development, Use, and Educational Effectiveness of University Campus Sustainability Tours

  • Western Kentucky University (KY)

Campus sustainability tours are available at dozens of colleges and universities across the United States. These tours are considered a vital tool in interpreting the environmental and sustainable aspects of ...

  • Posted Sept. 6, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Gaps in sustainability education: The impact of higher education coursework on perceptions of sustainability

  • College of Charleston (SC)
  • Presbyterian College (SC)

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how both the amount and type of coursework impact students’ conceptualizations of sustainability. Previous research demonstrates that academic coursework influences students’ environmental attitudes, yet ...

  • Posted Sept. 6, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

PhD in Organizational Systems: Leadership of Sustainable Systems

  • Saybrook University (CA)

This program is designed to help students lead in a way that empowers people within the communities they serve. Guided by faculty with years of experience in the field, students ...

  • Posted Aug. 31, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Online Certificate in Sustainable Resource Management

  • Kankakee Community College (IL)

This 2-course certificate certificate program is designed to prepare students for careers in sustainable resource management. Those who complete the courses are eligible to take the Illinois Recycling Association's ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Integrated Water Management

  • University of British Columbia (BC)

The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Integrated Water Management is an intensive one-year degree program that will enable you to spearhead initiatives focused on water use, treatment, research and ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Green Bio-Products

  • University of British Columbia (BC)

The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Green Bio-Products is an intensive one-year degree program that equips students with the technical and leadership skills required to contribute to the growing ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering

  • University of British Columbia (BC)

The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering is an intensive one-year degree program for engineers and environmental science graduates who want to advance their careers in the ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

BSc in Natural Resources Conservation

  • University of British Columbia (BC)

This interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers in conservation and management. Encompassing the natural and social sciences, students will learn how to use the technologically advanced tools and quantitative techniques ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Transitions to Sustainability

  • University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork (Co. Cork)

Demonstrating how a university can, in a very practical and pragmatic way, be re-envisioned through a transdisciplinary informed frame, this book shows how through an open and collegiate spirit of ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

How Much do U.S. University Students Know, and Want to Know About Sustainability and Green Building? The Findings of a Survey, and Possible Implications for General Elective Curriculum

  • Weber State University (UT)
  • Purdue University (IN)

Using the survey approach, this investigation examined the attitudes and interest of college students at two universities in different geographic locations within the United States. Approximately 24,000 students from ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Raising environmental awareness through education

This paper presents a method for involving learners in awareness-raising and real changes in consumption. The described method is a teaching assignment comprising a self-audit of household chemicals' consumption, system ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Sustainability teaching in higher education institutions of Kazakhstan

Sustainability teaching is challenging due to problems of the economic development, as well as of overcoming a post-communist mentality in countries with economies in transition. This is particularly relevant for ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Education for Sustainable Development in Further Education: Embedding Sustainability into Teaching, Learning and the Curriculum

  • University of Plymouth (Devon)

This book will enable teachers and managers in the post-compulsory sector to consider a range of approaches to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in their practice in the post-compulsory ...

  • Posted Aug. 29, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Nursing students’ attitudes towards sustainability and health care

  • University of Plymouth (Devon)

Aim

To evaluate attitudes towards embedding sustainability and climate change in nursing curricula among nursing students, some of whom had participated in a sustainability and health skills session, and determine ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Bitten by the Green Design Bug

According to U.S. News & World Report, "sustainability sensibility is sweeping through and transforming the curricula in America's colleges of engineering, as more educators emphasize the importance of ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Certificate in Greenhouse Gas Management

  • George Washington University (DC)
  • Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (MD)

The Certificate in Greenhouse Gas Management is designed to prepare students professionally to contribute to the coming low carbon future. The George Washington University partnered with the Greenhouse Gas Management ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Doctorate of Public Health in Environmental & Occupational Health

  • George Washington University (DC)

The goal of the EOH DrPH program is to prepare students for advanced level professional work in research, policy, and program design and administration in the field of Environmental and ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

MPH in Global Environmental Health

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Mission of the Global Environmental Health MPH program – a joint program between the Departments of Global Health and Environmental and Occupational Health – is to educate individuals who are committed ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

MPH in Environmental Health Science and Policy

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Mission of the Environmental Health Science and Policy MPH program is to educate individuals who are committed to public health protection to apply critical analytic skills to the development ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Graduate Certificate in Responsible Management

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Certificate in Responsible Management (CRM) program is designed to enhance the preparation of students as responsible leaders. The CRM offers students the opportunity to participate in seminars, projects, courses ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Management

  • George Washington University (DC)

Awarded jointly by the George Washington University and The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Management requires completion of 3 core courses and three electives. The ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Master of Tourism Administration with Concentration in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management

  • George Washington University (DC)

The GW Master of Tourism Administration program equips students for competitive management positions in tourism, hospitality, sport and event and meeting management. Designed for tourism destination managers, marketers, developers, business ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

MA in Environmental Resource Policy

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Environmental Resource Policy (ENRP) Program at GW offers a multidisciplinary approach to environmental and sustainability studies. The Master of Arts program prepares students to enter environmental policy careers in ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

BA in Environmental Studies

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Environmental Studies Program is an integrated, multi-disciplinary, science-based program that focuses on interactions between people and the natural and built environments .

Part of GW's Geography Department, the environmental ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Undergraduate Minor in Sustainability

  • George Washington University (DC)

The Undergraduate Minor in Sustainability allows students to explore the challenges of sustainability and to think about how to develop solutions to pressing issues at the local, regional, and global ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

AAS in Sustainability Technologies

  • Cape Fear Community College (NC)

The Sustainability Technologies program is designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of the new energy economy. The program’s three focus areas – Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Buildings – overlap ...

  • Posted Aug. 23, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Dual Major in EcoGastronomy

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The Dual Major in EcoGastronomy prepares students for professions within the rapidly evolving food community—from farm to fork to nutrition and health outcomes. The Dual Major integrates University of ...

  • Posted Aug. 23, 2016
  • Academic Programs
  • View more

Sustainability now key selling point for business schools attracting students

The Guardian reports that "students are now demanding business courses include sustainability on the syllabus."

  • Posted Aug. 23, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

The I3E model for embedding education for sustainability within higher education institutions

  • University of Southampton

This paper presents an evidence-based model (the I3E model) for embedding education for sustainability (EfS) within a higher education institution. This model emerged from a doctoral research that examined organizational ...

  • Posted Aug. 23, 2016
  • Publications
  • View more

Health Educators Climate Commitment

  • Columbia University (NY)

The Health Educators Climate Commitment is a pledge by 118 medical, public health, and nursing schools from 15 countries to train their students to address the health impacts of climate ...

This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.

AC 1: Academic Courses

AC 2: Learning Outcomes

AC 3: Undergraduate Program

AC 4: Graduate Program

AC 5: Immersive Experience

AC 6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment

AC 7: Incentives for Developing Courses

AC 8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Curriculum Partners