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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
The contribution of sustainability assessment to policy development in higher education
This article builds upon the experiences and results of the application of sustainability assessment instruments in higher education. First, a short overview of existing sustainability assessment tools will be provided, …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Transformative Learning for a Sustainable Future: An Exploration of Pedagogies for Change at an Alternative College
- Schumacher College
Educators and policy makers have long recognised the central role that education can play in creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Yet some question whether current processes across mainstream …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Do We Teach What We Preach? An International Comparison of Problem- and Project-Based Learning Courses in Sustainability
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Problem- and project-based learning (PPBL) courses in sustainability address real-world sustainability problems. They are considered powerful educational settings for building students’ sustainability expertise. In practice, however, these courses often fail …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Students as change agents in a town-wide sustainability transformation: the Oberlin Project at Oberlin College
- Clark University (MA)
- Oberlin College (OH)
An increasing number of colleges and universities are playing a crucial role in driving societal transformations and creating the physical and social conditions for accelerating progress towards sustainability. The potential …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Establishing sustainability science in higher education institutions: towards an integration of academic development, institutionalization, and stakeholder collaborations
- University of Tokyo
- University of Zurich
- Lund University
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
The field of sustainability science aims to understand the complex and dynamic interactions between natural and human systems in order to transform and develop these in a sustainable manner. As …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Sustainable Business and Innovation (MSc)
- Utrecht University
As part of this two-year Master’s programme in Sustainable Business and Innovation, you will learn about sustainability challenges and the technological and other options that businesses can use to work …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Development (MSc)
- Utrecht University
This two-year Master’s programme is aimed at students who want to contribute to the design of the solutions needed to achieve an environmentally and socially accountable society. In this programme, …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Master of Sustainability Science
- University of Tokyo
- United Nations University
The Graduate Program in Sustainability Science - Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI) provides the training necessary to enable future global leaders to make a profound impact on sustainability science and sustainable …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainability Science (PhD)
- University of Tokyo
- United Nations University
The Graduate Program in Sustainability Science - Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI) provides the training necessary to enable future global leaders to make a profound impact on sustainability science and sustainable …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainability Science and Policy (PhD)
- Maastricht University
The interdisciplinary Ph.D. programme in Sustainability Science and Policy (SSP) is designed to educate researchers, university teachers, and world leaders in the social, economic and natural science disciplines that underpin …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
International Centre for Integrated assessment and Sustainable development (ICIS)
- Maastricht University
ICIS, based in Maastricht University's Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, addresses complex issues facing the planet and its inhabitants. It aims to conduct research and provide education in the fields …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Sustainability Science and Policy (MSc)
- Maastricht University
The world needs professionals who have the competences to recognise, analyse and respond to sustainability challenges. Who can design, conduct and evaluate sustainability assessments in collaboration with other disciplines and …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Development (BA)
- Murdoch University (Western Australia)
In this program you will learn about the sustainability issues affecting us all, including climate change, scarce resources and the challenge of economic growth versus environmental protection. You'll also gain …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA/BCD)
- Acadia University (NS)
This program aims to develop environmental leaders, managers, and professionals who are critical and insightful thinkers as well as creative problem solvers skilled in leading transformational change toward a more …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Learning for Sustainability (PgDip)
- University of Edinburgh
The Postgraduate Diploma builds on the Postgraduate Certificate’s three core courses: Introduction to Learning for Sustainability, Ecosystems for Educators and Outdoor Learning. A further four Postgraduate Diploma specific courses - …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Learning for Sustainability (PgCert)
- University of Edinburgh
The Postgraduate Certificate is made up of three core courses: Introduction to Learning for Sustainability, Ecosystems for Educators, and Outdoor Learning. The overall aim of the programme is to introduce …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Learning for Sustainability (MSc)
- University of Edinburgh
This MSc is an opportunity to study the ways schooling, community and higher education respond to issues such as climate change, resource depletion, inequality and well-being, and ecological and economic …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Teaching and learning sustainability: An assessment of the curriculum content and structure of sustainability degree programs in higher education
- Furman University (SC)
- Lund University
Sustainability degree programs in higher education have proliferated with the emergence of sustainability as a recognized academic field. This study evaluated the curricula of English-language programs granting degrees in sustainability …
- Posted April 17, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Making Textbooks Affordable: Student Government Toolkit
The Making Textbooks Affordable toolkit explains how to expand the use of open textbooks on your campus. These free, high-quality, open-source books can save students on your campus millions of …
- Posted April 16, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Guide to Quality and Education for Sustainability in Higher Education
- University of Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire)
- Quality Assurance Agency For Higher Education (--None--)
This resource is an attempt to make connections between Education for Sustainability (EfS) and the practice of quality assurance and enhancement in the HE curriculum. It is based on a …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Tools
- View more
Are Employers Seeking Sustainability Literate Graduates?
- Higher Education Academy (York)
Using structured questionnaires and follow-up semi‐structured telephone interviews, this study seeks to establish to what extent adoption of the sustainability agenda within higher education and built environment organisations is being …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Dalhousie University Green Map
- Dalhousie University (NS)
This map was created for ENVS 3502.03 (Winter 2005). This map is part of the global Green Map System.
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Higher Education for Sustainable Development
- University of Otago (Otago)
This book asks how higher education should approach the task of educating for sustainability and then sets to answering it. It provides a guide for those who advocate for sustainability …
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Yale Center for Business and the Environment
- Yale University (CT)
The Yale Center for Business and the Environment provides a platform for generating, incubating and launching innovative action at the intersection of business and the environment.
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Engineering Education for Sustainable Development
Produced by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations's Committee on Education In Engineering, this publication includes contributions from a variety of engineering educators about the role of engineering education in …
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Publications
- View more
MA/MS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentration in Sustainability
- University of Louisville (KY)
The large-scale goal of the Master of Arts/Science in Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentration in Sustainability Degree program is to prepare students to address complex regional, state, national and global challenges posed …
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Table Food Issues Resources
- GRACE Communications Foundation (NY)
This online resource provides in-depth information on topics relating to sustainable and industrial agriculture and food systems. Useful as a higher education teaching tool.
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
The Meatrix
- GRACE Communications Foundation (NY)
The Meatrix films share the realities of factory farming. These short, animated videos are accompanied by a website that that includes supplementary interactive tools and resources, as well as tips …
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Sustainability Management Minor
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Quinlan and non-Quinlan students who wish to learn more about sustainability in business and industry may pursue the sustainable business minor.
The minor in sustainability management provides foundational knowledge of …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Graduate specialization in Religion & Nature
- University of Florida (FL)
This graduate specialization is the first in the U.S. to focus on the ways that religion shapes environmental attitudes and practices in cultures throughout the world. We cannot address contemporary …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BA in Environmental Humanities
- Stony Brook University (NY)
The Environmental Humanities major, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, draws together a range of disciplines to explore human understanding and interpretation of nature. The curriculum integrates disciplines from …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
MA/MS in Environmental Humanities
- University of Utah (UT)
The Environmental Humanities Graduate Program aims to produce an interdisciplinary, intellectual, and creative space in which we are prepared: to reflect on what it means to be "human" in a …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
MA in Environmental Arts and Humanities
- Oregon State University (OR)
This degree program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in the arts/humanities or the environmental/natural resource sciences and a deep interest in broadening their education to include arts/humanities-based perspectives …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Voluntary Simplicity and Consumerism Discussion Activity
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education. This discussion activity takes participants through a process of exploring sustainability through small group discussion and personal reflection …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
Academic Librarians and the Sustainability Curriculum: Building Alliances to Support a Paradigm Shift
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Sustainability is a fast evolving movement in higher education demonstrated by a proliferation of academic programs, co-curricular initiatives, and campus projects. Sustainability is now viewed as vital to the mission …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Engagement of Academic Libraries and Information Science Schools in Creating Curriculum for Sustainability: An Exploratory Study
In 2010, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education released, “Sustainability curriculum in higher education: A call to action,” encouraging infusion of sustainability topics into universities' teaching …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Focus on Educating for Sustainability: Toolkit for Academic Libraries
Academic libraries must respond to the increasing focus on educating for sustainability and go beyond greening libraries to become active partners in advancing education and research for sustainability. This edited …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
BA in Art and Environment
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
The B.A. in Art and Environment at Unity College enables students to study studio art within the context of environmental education. Through an environmental art apprenticeship program, students have the …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Concentration in Sustainability, Master of Divinity
- Wake Forest University (NC)
The Wake Forest Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability (CEES) and the School of Divinity provide students with exposure to sustainability issues through the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. The certificate …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Social Justice Organizing Program
- Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (PA)
The Social Justice Organizing (SJO) program at RRC trains rabbis to be Jewish leaders in bringing about a socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually fulfilling society. It is the first …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Ecology and Justice Specialization, MA in in Practical Theology
- Methodist Theological School in Ohio (OH)
The Ecology and Justice Specialization constructs a foundation in practical theology for engaging systems that support thriving of life for future generations. Students will be equipped to seek ways for …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Christian Earthkeeping Concentration
- George Fox University (OR)
Christian Earthkeeping is the Church’s response to the ecological crisis and to God’s command to “keep” the Earth (Genesis 2:15). This concentration aims to form evangelical leaders who cultivate the …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Report on Catholic Ecology Courses in Catholic Seminaries in the United States, Canada, Rome, and the Holy Land
This report highlights courses on ecological themes offered at a number of Catholic seminaries in North America, Rome, and the Holy Land. 48 Catholic seminaries and theological schools in North …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Report on Faith and Ecology Courses in North American Seminaries
This report details over 170 faith and ecology courses offered at about 60 theological schools and seminaries. It also highlights twenty-five seminaries in North America that excel in offering courses …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
MA concentration in Religion and Ecology
- Drew University (NJ)
The Master of Arts program is a two-year master's degree designed for students who wish to acquire a foundation in theological and religious studies as preparation for further studies at …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Natural Resources and the Environment Major
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The Natural Resources and the Environment Major is an interdisciplinary environmental major that integrates coursework in forest ecosystems and geology with the broad range of potential environmental coursework offered at …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Major in Ecology and Biodiversity
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The Major in Ecology and Biodiversity is an interdisciplinary major that integrates coursework in biology, ecology, and evolution with other environmental disciplines.
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Master of Arts with Concentration in Religion and the Environment
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The Master of Arts (M.A.) program of the School of Theology is designed as a general academic degree for people who wish to begin advanced study of theological disciplines in …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Watershed Science Certificate
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The Watershed Science Certificate is designed for students interested in gaining a better understanding of the interactions among the physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect our watersheds and wetlands. …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Religion and Environment Minor
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The ways we interact with the natural world reflect the deep-seated values of the society to which we belong and the experiences of nature we have as individuals. Religion, and …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
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
- Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Website URL - Sustainability course offerings
AC 2: Learning Outcomes
- Description of institution level sustainability learning outcomes
- List of degree programs that require an understanding of the concept of sustainability
- Percentage of students who graduate from programs that require an understanding of sustainability
- Website URL - Sustainability learning outcomes
AC 3: Undergraduate Program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
AC 4: Graduate Program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
AC 5: Immersive Experience
- Description of the sustainability-focused immersive program(s)
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
AC 6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (upload)
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (description)
- Website URL - Assessment of sustainability literacy
AC 7: Incentives for Developing Courses
- Description of the course development incentives
- Website URL - Incentives for developing sustainability courses
AC 8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.