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.
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Certificate in Sustainability
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (MA)
- Wellesley College (MA)
- Babson College (MA)
Addressing the challenge of using earth’s resources sustainably requires a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, in which basic research about the causes and consequences of environmental problems is combined with an …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
- Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
The Sustainable Agriculture Production Certificate program is designed to provide farmers and gardeners with a foundation in the techniques of sustainable food production and the "how-to" aspects of organic gardening …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
- Grand Valley State University (MI)
Strong local food systems are essential for healthy local communities. Students preparing for careers in local food enterprises, health care, sustainability, education, business, social work, non-profit administration and many other …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
- Rio Salado College (AZ)
The Sustainable Food Systems program is designed for a diverse student population, including those who are currently working within the food service industry and are interested in building upon their …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Certificate in Urban Agriculture & Sustainability
- Owens Community College (OH)
Owens' Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Certificate Program requires 26 credit hours of coursework, which includes plant science, soil science, greenhouse management, urban livestock and animal husbandry, organic gardening and food …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture
- University of Georgia (GA)
The Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture at the University of Georgia is a new interdisciplinary program of study that was created in Fall 2007. The certificate is similar to a …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Environmental Planning Certificate
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
Environmental planning requires the integration of environmental information into the planning process and is concerned with the protection and enhancement of environmental systems while meeting demands for growth and development. …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Geothermal Technician Certificate
- Lansing Community College (MI)
This certificate is intended to prepare students to work as an entry-level geothermal technician. Geothermal technicians are involved in various aspects of the installation and maintenance of all types and …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Green Building Technician Certificate
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GA)
The Green Building Technician program introduces students to the tenets and practices behind the sustainable construction movement. Students are introduced to the methods and philosophies behind green building, energy efficient …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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International Sustainable Development Engineering Certificate
- Michigan Technological University (MI)
The Michigan Tech International Sustainable Development Engineering (ISDE) Certificate program allows undergraduate engineering students to augment their technical education with the knowledge, skills, and experiences important to working on solutions …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Land Use & Environmental Planning Certificate
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Planning professionals come from a variety of backgrounds: social science, natural science, engineering and even the humanities, facilities and interior design. Regardless of students' background, the UC Davis Extension Land …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Solar Energy Certificate
- College of the Canyons (CA)
The college's solar energy technician certificate program will include 13 units of instruction spread over three courses that can be completed in two to three semesters. The courses are Introduction …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Solar Energy Technician Certificate
- Lansing Community College (MI)
This certificate is intended to prepare students to work as an entry-level solar energy technician. Solar energy technicians are involved in various aspects of the installation and maintenance of all …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainability Certificate
- Bay State College (MA)
In this certificate program, students will explore the dynamic relationship between humans and their environment from cultural, economic, historical, literary, social, scientific, and technology perspectives, as well as acquire foundation …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainability Certificate
- San Diego City College (CA)
The Sustainability Certificate offers an interdisciplinary, theorical, philosophical and practical approach for students to enter into the academic and/or professional fields related to sustainability. Students gain skills to critically analyze …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Agriculture Certificate
- Central Carolina Community College (NC)
The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is designed to provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills necessary to manage a profitable,environmentally sound, community based small farm or agricultural business. Course work includes classroom …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Certificate
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
JCCC's sustainable agriculture (market farming) entrepreneurship program helps students realize their dreams of opening their own sustainable agriculture businesses. Farmers who grow produce on the side, depending on crops like …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Agroecology certificate
- Triton College (IL)
Designed for learners who wish to gain an appreciation and practical skills to use sustainable practices that will positively influence the quality of natural ecosystems and human environment.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Business Professional Certificate Program
- Aquinas College (MI)
Aquinas College's Fall 2010 Professional Certificate Program in Sustainable Business will offer business owners and professionals an opportunity to learn about sustainable business perspectives, practices and change strategies. The growing …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Food & Farming Certificate
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The 15-credit Certificate in Sustainable Food and Farming was developed in response to growing student demand and emerging job opportunities. This online program has been particularly attractive to the fastest …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Food Production Certificate
- Triton College (IL)
Designed for learners who wish to focus on how to produce nutritional food crops and methods to overcome the availability of fresh and nutritious food produce.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Livestock Systems Certificate
- Central Carolina Community College (NC)
The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is designed to provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills necessary to manage a profitable, environmentally sound, community based small farm or agricultural business. Course work includes …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Local Foods Farming Certificate
- John Wood Community College (IL)
JWCC's new Sustainable Local Foods Farming program provides courses and hands-on training in sustainable fruit and vegetable production, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Students gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Skills Certificate
- Green Mountain College (VT)
The aim of this certification is to enhance students’ sustainability education by providing them with practical one-credit courses offered as supplements to standard courses across all majors. These popular courses …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Trails Certificate
- Fleming College (ON)
Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Interpretive studies …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Sustainable Vegetable Production Certificate
- Central Carolina Community College (NC)
The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is designed to provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills necessary to manage a profitable, environmentally sound, community based small farm or agricultural business. Course work in …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Studies
- Ohio University (OH)
The Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies Certificate supplements the coursework for an existing major with an interdisciplinary study of the biophysical environment and the complex interactions between humans, other organisms, and the …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Development
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
The SCD certificate combines theory with practice. Certificate students gain a broad knowledge base while applying concepts and practices taught by top professionals in the field. Guest speakers, group work, …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Undergraduate Environmental Planning Certificate
- San Jose State University (CA)
Students in the certificate program in Environmental Planning develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully carry out planning and development activities with consideration of the environmental impacts and a …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Wind Energy Certificate
- University of Iowa (IA)
A new interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate in wind energy has been developed to meet the emerging market needs. The Certificate in Wind Energy integrates course work and faculty expertise from the …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Wind Turbine Technician Certificate
- Lansing Community College (MI)
This certificate is intended to prepare students to work as an entry-level wind turbine technician. Wind turbine technicians are involved in various aspects of the installation and maintenance of all …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
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Learning Through Eating: Bringing Campus Dining Operations into an Introductory Environmental Science Course
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Sustainability initiatives in higher education often flourish as the result of cross-functionality of teaching, research, and operational staff. At the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the Nelson Institute for Environmental …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Climate Change Resiliency: Campus Microgrid Feasibility Study
- Middlebury College (VT)
Background: The submitted research paper "Campus Microgrid Feasibility Study" is the result of a combination of learning opportunities that evolved into the final product. It began in summer 2014 at …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Development of 'Learning for Sustainability' Core Competencies
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Over the last several years, there has been increased interest within communities, schools, and government to promote behavior that will yield a positive future impact on the world. The sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability: A Bedford Spotlight Reader
Sustainability explores questions around the central concept of sustainability: What are its foundations and politics? How do crises challenge sustainability? How is sustainability connected to local and transnational environments? How …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Backing Away from the Cliff: A Theory of Education for Sustainability in the Postsecondary Classroom
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Despite growing efforts for Education for Sustainability (EfS), little empirical research documents EfS in the postsecondary classroom and the ways in which sustainability is defined in these classrooms. The purpose …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Potential of Community-based Sustainability Projects for Deep Learning Initiatives
- Clark University (MA)
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
This paper provides and illustrates a generic framework for deep learning in a Sustainability-based course for higher education instruction. The use of Sustainability Consulting Projects is detailed with potential application …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Assessing Sustainability Knowledge of a Student Population: Developing a Tool to Measure Knowledge in the Environmental, Economic, and Social Domains
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present a tool for assessing the sustainability knowledge of an undergraduate population.
Design/methodology/approach: Multiple-choice questions were developed through soliciting expert …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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How Many Dots to Connect? Defining Sustainability in the Curriculum Pt. 2
- AASHE (MA)
In part 1 of this post, I examined current practices for identifying sustainability courses and found that definitions of sustainability-focused and -related courses tend to leave too much room for …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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How Many Dots to Connect? Defining Sustainability in the Curriculum Pt. 1
- AASHE (MA)
In an effort to track progress in sustainability education and promote sustainability courses, many colleges and universities have attempted to identify which courses they offer integrate sustainability concepts. As Alfred …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Ten Ways to Integrate Sustainability into the Curriculum
- Towson University (MD)
Those of us in higher education who are concerned about the future of the planet realize that although cutting carbon emissions from campus operations is important, it is not enough …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Promoting Lasting Ecological Citizenship Among College Students
- Lehigh University (PA)
Declines in environmental literacy and civic and political activism among youth suggest the need for an increased focus on sustainability in schools and the advancement of ecological citizenship among students. …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Assessing Sustainability Literacy: Challenges, Current Research, and Opportunities for Collaboration
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
Sustainability literacy is a topic of increasing interest among a growing number of higher education sustainability staff and faculty. Formal education programs and courses that address sustainability are becoming increasingly …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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An Investigation of Sustainability-Oriented Courses: Student Views & Experiences
- University of British Columbia (BC)
With an increased awareness of climate change and environmental concerns, and a worldwide call for the integration of sustainability into the curriculum, universities are looked upon as agents of change …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Curriculum Improvement in Education for Sustainable Development: Measuring Learning Outcomes in an Introductory Urban Planning Course.
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Education for sustainable development (ESD) is an academic goal for many courses in higher learning. ESD encompasses a specific range of learning outcomes, competencies, skills and literacies that include and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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A Qualitative Investigation of Sustainability-Oriented Courses at UBC
- University of British Columbia (BC)
With the underlying theme of globalization and encouraging students to be global citizens, the University of British Columbia (UBC) adopted a sustainable development policy in 1997 and revised it in …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Education for Sustainability in Career and Technical Education: A Multiple Case Study of Innovative Community College Programs
- University of Idaho (ID)
Research indicates we are faced with environmental, social, and economic challenges and higher education is being called upon to provide education for a sustainable future. The literature surrounding Education for …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Challenges of Sustainability Education
Sustainability has become a growing imperative in higher education in the United States of America (Calder & Dautremont-Smith, 2009). This paper examines sustainability education as it continues to emerge in …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Word Up: Algonquin College as a Sustainability Leader
- Royal Roads University (BC)
"Word up" is a catch phrase that denotes agreement or enthusiasm about what another has said. A question central to this thesis was whether study participants thought that Algonquin College …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Changes in Student Values and Behaviors: An Outcomes-Based Program Review of the Global Leadership and Sustainable Development Program
- Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
The dual purpose of this research study was to evaluate the sustainability and leadership values and behaviors of current and former students of the Master of Arts in Global Leadership …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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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.