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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Imagining well with almonds and honeybees in the Capitalocene – five multispecies movements for environmental and sustainability education
- University of Oulu
Responses in resisting and subverting capitalist structures and practices often foreground imagination and experimentation. In environmental and sustainability education, imagination has been previously called upon as a way to sympathetically …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Understanding and assessing sustainable behavior among the academics in higher education institutions of Bangladesh
- University of South Carolina (SC)
- University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Purpose: Considering that knowledge, skills and behavior can influence sustainability efforts, this study aims to assess which personality traits influence one’s sense of feeling connected to nature and presumably make …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Evaluating the perils and promises of academic climate advocacy
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
What are the causes and consequences of academic climate advocacy in contemporary times? Should it be celebrated and pursued, or derided and eschewed? Does advocacy in various forms tarnish or …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Agents of (un)sustainability: democratising universities for the planetary crisis
- Queen's University Belfast
As producers and gatekeepers of knowledge, and as providers of education and training, our universities play a key role in the reproduction of unsustainability. This article finds that they are, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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From Pseudo to Genuine Sustainability Education: Ecopedagogy and Degrowth in Business Studies Courses
- Northumbria University (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
This article surveys critical scholarship that links the literature on sustainable business education and education for sustainable development goals (ESDG). It is assumed that ESDG is desirable in the business …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Integrating sustainability into business and management studies in higher education
- Universidad de Almería (Almeria)
This research investigates the crucial realm of sustainability education in university-level business and management studies. The main objective is to identify the main factors influencing sustainability learning and to establish …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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An evaluation of a computational technique for measuring the embeddedness of sustainability in the curriculum aligned to AASHE-STARS and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
Introduction: SDG 4.7 mandates university contributions to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their education provisions. Hence, universities increasingly assess their curricular alignment to the SDGs. A …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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The failure to decarbonize the global energy education system: Carbon lock-in and stranded skill sets
- Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
The energy transition involves the transformation of professions and labour markets, which in turn depend on the availability of a workforce with the right education and competence. This study assesses …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Sustainable Development in Third Level Programs: Distilling a Pathway to a True Net-Zero Education
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Manchester (Lancashire)
This study probes the notable gap between the theoretical endorsement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 7, 12, and 13, and their tangible implementation in higher education …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Sustainability teaching in higher education: assessing arts and design faculty perceptions and attitudes
- Conway School of Landscape Design (MA)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions and attitudes of arts and design faculty on teaching sustainability in higher education institutions in the USA. Design/methodology/approach: Arts …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Online, Experiential Sustainability Education Can Improve Students’ Self-Reported Environmental Attitudes, Behaviours and Wellbeing
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
Educating for sustainability is a critical step in moving towards a more sustainable future for humanity. As higher education moves into the online space, education for sustainability can reach larger …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Status of Sustainability Management Education in African MBA Programmes: A Web-based Research Approach
- Vaal University of Technology
- Midlands State University
Emerging evidence suggests that business schools in Africa are lagging behind in promoting sustainability education. Grand challenges that point to a limited focus on transformative sustainability education such as environmental …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Shifting the approach: greening abolitionist teaching for inclusive sustainability
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
- Goddard College (VT)
In recent years, there has been growing criticism within environmental studies and sciences (ESS) regarding the environmental racism embedded in the institutions that train future environmental professionals and leaders. The …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Developing and validating a scale to measure tertiary students’ sustainability competence in extracurricular settings in Asia
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive scale for assessing students’ sustainability competence in education for sustainable development (ESD). Existing ESD assessment tools have faced criticism for lacking …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Building more epistemically inclusive and environmentally equitable universities
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
Higher educational institutions tend to draw from mainstream approaches to environmentalism that reinforce race, class, and gender hierarchies around who constitutes “an environmentalist” and what activities constitute “environmentalism.” As a …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Racially inclusive climates within degree programs and increasing student of color enrollment: An examination of environmental/sustainability programs.
- University of Virginia (VA)
- Vincent Evaluation Consulting (OK)
Students of color remain severely underrepresented in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, including environmental fields. Although there is a growing body of research on predictors of selecting …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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A pedagogy for the end of the world: teaching environmental health and justice in a sacrifice zone
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
This article describes pedagogical changes that I have made to my Environmental Justice class at the University of the Pacific in response to increasingly crisis conditions with regard to both …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in environmental studies and sciences by practicing compassionate pedagogies
- Fort Lewis College (CO)
- Franklin & Marshall College (PA)
- McDaniel College (MD)
- University of Nottingham
The imperative to (re)center diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) touches nearly every aspect of higher education today. The multidisciplinary fields of environmental studies and sciences (ESS) are no exception; …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Student-led discussions for sustainability education: an autoethnographic exploration
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore an interactive teaching approach using an autoethnographic lens to enhance key competencies in sustainability. These competencies are integrated sets of knowledge, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Measuring sustainable development goals (SDGs) in higher education through semantic matching
- UNSW Sydney (NSW)
- UNSW Canberra
Over the past twenty years, higher education institutions (HEIs) including universities, polytechnics, and vocational education providers, have become major conduits for the teaching and dissemination of the sustainable development goals …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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A framework for climate change curriculum redevelopment within built environment professional degrees
- Western Sydney University (NSW)
- University of Melbourne (Victoria)
Cities are important sites for greenhouse gas emission reductions and adaptation to climate change. Yet, the design, development and planning of many cities does not yet reflect this. Research reveals …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Designing transformative interventions for a world in crisis: How the ‘Worldview Journey’ invites for personal, cultural, and systems transformation
- Utrecht University
Our world is arguably in existential crisis, with crises manifesting in nearly every facet of our existence, from education, mental health, and culture, to democracy, environment, and institutions. As our …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Supporting students to become agents of change: Introducing and evaluating the Transition Cycle approach to teaching transformative skills
- University of Amsterdam
Human societies are dealing with urgent and daunting societal transition challenges, such as those posed by climate change, inequality, pandemics, and digitalization. In all these cases, we know that they …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Universities in global transformation: Re-thinking curriculum integration and collaboration to co-create our future
- RMIT University
- Università di Catania
University-based curriculum development often involves adding new content. This ‘just add’ approach has also been applied to integrating the UN SDGs into curricula, reducing them to a checklist rather than …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Teaching under an orange sky: Toward reimagining educational purpose on a damaged planet
- University of Cambridge
I begin with an assumption that there are intersectional relations among education, humans, cyber technologies, and nature, and assert that an expansive understanding of formal educational purpose is needed in …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Environmental justice teaching in an undergraduate context: examining the intersection of community-engaged, inclusive, and anti-racist pedagogy
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Since the early 1980s, the environmental justice (EJ) movement was critical in drawing much needed attention on how Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and low-income groups have experienced a …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Provoking Sustainability: The Evolving Role of Management Educators
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
Despite JME’s impactful pedagogical presence, we still fail to motivate change in a world where our planet degrades, available resources are imbalanced or unavailable to marginalized communities, and business schools …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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The GreenComp Evaluation Roadmap: a roadmap for in-depth holistic evaluation of the integration of the GreenComp framework in higher-education curricula
- University of Aruba
Purpose: The GreenComp framework identifies 12 competences for sustainability as common ground for higher-education curricula. The framework can be used for self-assessment and the review of curricula. However, a step-by-step …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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A systematic mixed studies review of civic engagement outcomes in environmental education
- Stanford University (CA)
Civic engagement is recognized as a critical process to address environmental and other societal issues. To examine the intersection between environmental education and civic engagement, as reported in the peer-reviewed …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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University of Virginia Decarbonization Academy
- University of Virginia (VA)
SCI 2025: Eight-week decarbonization academy program - The Decarbonization Academy at University of Virginia is an immersive learning experience for students who are interested in working towards UVA’s sustainability goals …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
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Exploring Aquatic Systems: FGCU Water School in Action
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
Florida Gulf Coast University Water School student researchers conduct fieldwork in aquatic ecology and bathymetry, using scientific instruments to map underwater landscapes and study ecosystem dynamics. This hands-on research supports …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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Agnes Scott College - Arboretum
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
Agnes Scott College sits on 100 acres within the City of Decatur located just six miles northeast of Atlanta, the ‘City in a Forest’. With a managed tree canopy of …
- Posted July 29, 2025
- Photographs
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Dawson College Butterfly Nursery
- Dawson College (QC)
A true community project came to life thanks to the collaboration of students and staff across the college. The Office of Sustainability co-ordinated the design first with Adam Kingsland’s Mechanical …
- Posted July 29, 2025
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Science in Action: FGCU Students Dive into Limnology for Sustainable Water Solutions
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
Dr. Thomas leads Florida Gulf Coast University Water School students in a hands-on limnology field class, demonstrating water quality measurement techniques using specialized equipment in a natural campus setting.
- Posted July 29, 2025
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FGCU Water School students engage in hands-on limnology and bathymetry research
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
Students from Florida Gulf Coast University's Water School can be seen getting ready to deploy a quadcopter drone to investigate a nearby pond. This practical exercise is a component of …
- Posted July 28, 2025
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University of New Hampshire photo submission for the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
Student and faculty researchers from across the University of New Hampshire have teamed up for the 'Flax to Linen' project that links historic New England agricultural practices with sustainable fashion …
- Posted July 28, 2025
- Photographs
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Mont-Bellevue Park and its University Nature Reserve
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The portion of land belonging to the Université de Sherbrooke within Mont-Bellevue Park (125 hectares) has been officially recognized as a University Nature Reserve as of October 8, 2024. This …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator
- Climate Interactive
En-ROADS is an online simulator that provides policymakers, educators, businesses, the media, and the public with the ability to test and explore cross-sector climate solutions. It allows users to explore …
- Posted June 18, 2025
- Tools
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Campus Sustainability Podcast
- Conestoga College (ON)
- Woxsen University
In this podcast Debdutta Choudhury, Woxsen University speak to Ms. Laura Matheson, Director of Sustainability, Conestoga College and Professor Michael Quartermain, Professor of Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada on campus sustainability …
- Posted June 18, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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University of Tasmania research on climate impacts on biodiversity
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
University of Tasmania is a leader in climate action and research as demonstrated in being ranked #1 in Climate Action of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings from 2022-2024. Researchers …
- Posted June 6, 2025
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Renewable Energy coursework at the University of Tasmania's School of Climate Safe Engineering
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
Students undertaking coursework within the School of Climate Safe Engineering focused on renewable energy installations on the roof of the University of Tasmania's Engineering building. The University is pivoting the …
- Posted June 6, 2025
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Transformative Education: Changing How We Teach Energy Efficiency by Leveraging the Creative Arts
- Pratt Institute (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
In a world besieged by environmental and social crises caused by the overconsumption of fossil-fuel based energy usage, the need for swift and effective action on energy efficiency has never …
- Posted May 12, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AL)
The Environmental Science program at Alabama A&M University combines theoretical study with practical training to prepare students for addressing significant issues related to air, soil, and water quality. The curriculum …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Bachelor of Science in Biology – Environmental Science Concentration
- Allen University (SC)
The Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science at Allen University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of biological principles and their application …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Master of Science in Environmental Science (M.S.)
- Allen University (SC)
The Master of Science in Environmental Science at Allen University focuses on critical environmental challenges, sustainability, and scientific research. The program offers hands-on training with advanced equipment, such as the …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Integrated Environmental Science, Master of Science (M.S.)
- Bethune-Cookman University (FL)
The Master of Science in Integrated Environmental Science at Bethune-Cookman University offers advanced interdisciplinary education, combining scientific and social methodologies to address complex environmental issues. The program prepares students for …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Integrated Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Bethune-Cookman University (FL)
The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Environmental Science at Bethune-Cookman University is designed for students interested in careers addressing environmental challenges through an interdisciplinary approach. The program combines core scientific …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Biology Program with Environmental Focus
- Bowie State University (MD)
The Biology program at Bowie State University delves into the technological, environmental, and global implications of biology. Students are prepared for careers that address environmental challenges through a comprehensive curriculum …
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Academic Programs
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Water Resources Management, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Central State University (OH)
The B.S. in Water Resources Management at CSU requires 120 semester hours and focuses on the interdisciplinary study of water as a vital resource. The program offers opportunities for undergraduate …
- Posted April 23, 2025
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Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Central State University (OH)
The B.S. in Environmental Engineering at CSU requires 129 semester hours and provides students with a solid foundation in mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences, and humanities. The program emphasizes practical …
- Posted April 23, 2025
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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.