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

Intergenerational learning and transformative leadership for sustainable futures

  • Wageningen University

In this book, 82 authors from 26 countries across 6 continents seek answers in 32 essays to the many questions related to the intergenerational collaboration that holds promise for creating ...

  • Posted June 28, 2018
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Researching Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Plan A, Plan B and Moving Beyond Thought-Limiting Clichés

  • University of Otago (Otago)

This paper explores Higher Education for Sustainable Development from a research perspective, and attempts to distinguish progress based on research outcomes, from that based on concerns, commitments, intended outcomes and ...

  • Posted June 26, 2018
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A University Wide Approach to Embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in the Curriculum—A Case Study from the Nottingham Trent University’s Green Academy

  • Nottingham Trent University

Since 2015, governments, businesses and civil society, together with the United Nations have been encouraged to work towards seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for ...

  • Posted June 26, 2018
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Monitoring Progress Towards Implementing Sustainability and Representing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Curriculum at UWE Bristol

  • University of the West of England, Bristol

This paper will discuss the methods used to identify the baseline status of sustainability in the curriculum of UWE Bristol programmes and to begin to assess the contribution which the ...

  • Posted June 26, 2018
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Achieving Both Breadth and Depth: How Sustainability Education Is Being Integrated Across All Undergraduate Courses at La Trobe University, Australia

  • La Trobe University (Victoria)

In 2012 La Trobe University decided that every undergraduate student, across every discipline, would have significant and assessed experience of Sustainability Education (SE). The plan for achieving full coverage of ...

  • Posted June 25, 2018
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The Need for the Graduate Attribute Assessment Tool (GAAT)

  • RMIT University

Universities have developed sets of Graduate Attributes (GAs) to be achieved by their graduates across all programs. GAs are often associated with development of ‘sustainability’ capabilities. However, there is little ...

  • Posted June 25, 2018
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Ecological Footprinting as a Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach to Complete Campus Engagement and Transformation Towards the One Planet Goal

  • Macquarie University (NSW)

Enabling students to apply well-informed and skill-based understandings to their own decision-making about the dynamic relationships between individuals, societies, environments and economies in a resource constrained world is a central ...

  • Posted June 25, 2018
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Making Sustainability Part of Every Student’s Curriculum

  • Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has made a corporate commitment to ensure that “sustainability will be a feature of all our students’ experience”. In order to address this goal ARU has ...

  • Posted June 25, 2018
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Inside and Out: Universities and Education for Sustainable Development

  • Routledge

Two overarching questions permeate the literature on universities and civic engagement: How does a university restructure its myriad activities, maintain its academic integrity, and have a transformative impact off campus ...

  • Posted June 24, 2018
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An Analysis of the Sustainability of Different Methods of Delivering Higher Education

  • Manchester Metropolitan University

Transforming society and the economy to a more sustainable basis remains one of the most significant challenges of the 21st Century. Higher education institutions are considered key in helping to ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Aiming for Full Coverage—Integrating Sustainability Education into All Undergraduate Courses at La Trobe University, Australia: Achievements, Lessons Learnt and Barriers Addressed

  • La Trobe University (Victoria)

In 2012, La Trobe University committed to ensuring that every undergraduate student, across all disciplines, will have significant and assessed experience of three ‘Essentials’ of learning: Sustainability Thinking; Global Citizenship ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture

  • Maharishi University of Management (IA)

Through Maharishi University of Management 9-month non-credit, non-degree program, participants can earn a certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture. Courses include Soil Science, How to Prepare Your Organic Field, Science and ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Regenerative Organic Agriculture BA

  • Maharishi University of Management (IA)

In this BA program at Maharishi University of Management, participants learn through different courses and techniques about how to grow healthy and sustainable food that does not have a negative ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Environmental Analysis & Policy Major

  • Boston University (MA)

Boston University offers the Environmental Analysis & Policy (EAP) undergraduate major for students who are interested in learning about social sciences, specifically in the environmental field. This major allows students ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Sustainability Minor

  • Principia College (IL)

Principia College offers a Sustainability minor focused on creating solutions to the world's critical problems. This includes extinction, climate change and energy security. Skills developed in this minor include ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Environmental Studies BA

  • Principia College (IL)

Principia University's BA in Environmental Studies allows students to learn about their broad interests in the the environment. The major is designed for students with career aspirations in environmental ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Sustainable Development MBA

  • Brandeis University (MA)

The Heller School For Social Policy and Management's MBA in Sustainable Development provides students with an understanding of the present state of global development and the skills to tackle ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Sustainable Development MS

  • University of Sussex (Sussex)

University of Sussex Sustainable Development MSc program is designed to show students how to cultivate social and technological innovation theories into successful policies and practices. Skills learned in this program ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Management MBA

  • Brandeis University (MA)

The Heller School For Social Policy and Management's Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Management MBA is designed for students interested in leading social impact initiatives for a wide range of ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Sustainable Ranch Management BS

  • Sul Ross State University (TX)

SUL Ross State University's Sustainable Range Management program offers a four-year B.S. degree and a two-year certificate. The hands on program teaches students how many factors, including wildlife ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Environmental Education MS

  • Southern Oregon University (OR)

Southern Oregon University's Master of Science in Environmental Education program prepares student who are interested in holding positions in leadership and teaching for different organizations, such as schools, government ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Environmental Studies Major

  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)

This program gives students a broad interdisciplinary liberal arts education in environmental issues that students combine with specialized study that fits their interests and goals. The program stresses engagement, with ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Academic staff development as a catalyst for curriculum change towards education for sustainable development: an output perspective

  • Leuphana University of Lüneburg
  • RMIT University

Implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) in university curricula poses a new challenge to the academic system. In recent years many universities have undertaken activities towards its implementation and numerous ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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Assessing curricula contribution to sustainability more holistically: Experiences from the integration of curricula assessment and students' perceptions at the Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
  • The Citadel (SC)
  • Utrecht University

There has been a rapid increase in the number of engineering schools in higher educational institutions that have incorporated sustainability into their teaching. Nonetheless, curricula reforms are still needed to ...

  • Posted June 20, 2018
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PhD in Natural Resources and Earth System Sciences (NRESS)

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The NRESS Program draws on the University's strengths in environmental and earth sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and ethical and policy studies, and has the following objectives:

To increase ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Wetland Ecology Minor

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The Department of Natural Resources & the Environment offers an interdisciplinary minor in wetland ecology. It is available to all students in biology, botany, environmental conservation, forestry, plant biology, environmental ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Agribusiness Minor

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The agribusiness minor is designed to provide students in disciplines other than environmental and resource economics training in the economics and management of agricultural and other natural resource business firms ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Minor

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

Issues of sustainable living involve every aspect of life. Humans are part of, and dependent upon, healthy functioning ecosystems. Sustainable living requires learning to live with ecosystem limits. Students increase ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Sustainability Dual Major

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The new undergraduate Sustainability Dual Major, launched in spring 2016, provides an innovative pathway for emerging leaders to gain the skills and knowledge needed to be agents of change in ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Environmental Science and Policy (MS)

  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (WI)

The UW-Green Bay graduate program prepares skilled and imaginative problem-solvers for positions in government, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and private industries. This unique program accommodates a broad range of interests ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Certificate in Environmental Sustainability and Business

  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (WI)

The Certificate in Environmental Sustainability and Business consists of a supporting course structure (at the 100 and 200 level) that is complementary to the campus' existing general education requirements, consistent ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Climate Change and Health Certificate

  • Yale University (CT)

This 18-week, online program for public health professionals and other learners is designed to equip you with the knowledge and proven strategies needed to increase your community’s resilience to ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Environmental Policy & Planning (BS)

  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (WI)

Environmental Policy & Planning (EPP) is an environmental studies program based in the social sciences. It prepares students for a variety of professions involving the planning, analysis, design, and administration ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Environmental Studies Minor

  • The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)

The Environmental Studies program is interdisciplinary by design; it includes and works for the integration of the 3 main pillars of sustainability, environmental – social – economic, in the program as a ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Tourism & Sustainability Minor

  • The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)

It is an introduction to the study of tourism and the nature and scope of the Tourism and Hospitality industries. Topics covered include:

  • Origins and growth of tourism,
  • Tourism as ...
  • Posted June 13, 2018
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Environmental Studies (BS)

  • The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)

The Environmental Studies program is interdisciplinary by design; it includes and works for the integration of the 3 main pillars of sustainability, environmental – social – economic, in the program as a ...

  • Posted June 13, 2018
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The Decolonization of Curriculum for a Sustainable Future

  • Cal Poly Humboldt (CA)
  • AASHE (PA)

When you think about it, does your coursework perpetuate stories of paternalistic dominance by a few? Do you teach how and what you learned? Given our other many responsibilities, do ...

  • Posted June 7, 2018
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Leadership for Sustainability in Higher Education

  • Canterbury Christ Church University
  • Manchester Metropolitan University

Sustainability is a complex concept, and the challenge of understanding it and applying it to a diverse, multi-agent, organizational setting with its potentially conflicting priorities cannot be underestimated. Leadership for ...


Walking the Talk: Applying Fair Trade Learning Principles to Alternative Breaks

  • Oregon State University (OR)

Alternative Breaks at Oregon State University: We integrate sustainability education and leadership via fair trade learning into our community-engaged learning/service-learning program.

Break away from apathy. Break away from the ...


Analyzing Ecological Integrity: An Assessment of Princeton University’s Natural Areas

  • Princeton University (NJ)

How can aerial images be used to interpret land use-changes? What can lake sedimentation tell us about erosion patterns? To what extent do forest patches act as stream buffers? How ...


Introduction to Sustainable Living

  • University of California, Los Angeles (CA)

My proposal for the 2018 Student Sustainability Leadership Award is for a course that I was able to develop at UCLA designed to help students learn knowledge and skills that ...


University of Michigan Campus Farm and MDining Lead Sustainable Food Movement

  • University of Michigan (MI)

With the first delivery of Campus Farm fresh produce to Mosher Jordan dining hall in the summer of 2017, the University of Michigan’s MDining’s sustainability goal of using ...


Circular economy and Cradle to Cradle in educational practice

  • The Hague University of Applied Science

This article describes how Circular Economy (CE) and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) can be used in university teaching to address these frameworks’ strengths and weaknesses in practice. The advantages of ...


IEN Toolkit: How to Start and Run a Student-Managed SRI Fund

  • Intentional Endowments Network (MA)

The Intentional Endowment Network's (IEN) new resource, titled "IEN Toolkit: How to Start and Run a Student-Managed SRI Fund", was designed to aid in the creation of new student-managed ...


The Geology and Sociology of Consumption: Team-Teaching Sustainability in an Interdisciplinary First-Year Seminar

  • Cornell College (IA)

The complex consequences of current consumption practices, such as climate change and ecosystem degradation, necessitate increased interdisciplinary exploration. In order to raise student awareness of these consumption-related issues, we designed ...


Sustainable Energy for University Science Majors: Developing Guidelines for Educators

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Weizmann Institute of Science

This paper describes the basic tenets of a sustainable energy course for university science majors. First, it outlines the three core components of the course: 1. The scientific evidence for ...


Sustainability: Why the Language and Ethics of Sustainability Matter in the Geoscience Classroom

  • San Jose State University (CA)
  • University of Rochester (NY)

Because challenges to sustainability arise at the intersection of human and biophysical systems they are inescapably embedded in social contexts and involve multiple stakeholders with diverse and often conflicting needs ...


Sustainability, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the Education of Future Teachers

  • Central Washington University (WA)
  • Columbia University (NY)

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize how human activities affect the Earth and how Earth processes impact humans, placing the concept of sustainability within the Earth and Space Sciences ...


Environmental Education: Reflecting on Application of Environmental Attitudes Measuring Scale in Higher Education Students

  • Leiden University
  • The Hague University of Applied Science

The Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Attitudes toward the Sustainable Development (EAATSD) scale measures environmental concern in relation to sustainable development. This article will discuss how this scale was tested with three ...


Integrating problem- and project-based learning opportunities: assessing outcomes of a field course in environment and sustainability

  • University of Saskatchewan (SK)

Improving student competencies to address sustainability challenges has been a subject of significant debate in higher education. Problem- and project-based learning have been widely celebrated as course models that support ...

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.

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