COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies (Thesis option) at Trent University is a research-intensive graduate program that focuses on advanced interdisciplinary study of sustainability challenges and solutions. The program integrates environmental, social, and economic perspectives to help students critically analyze and address complex global and local sustainability issues. Students are required to complete 2.5 credits of core coursework, including SUST 5000Y: Perspectives on Sustainability (1.0 credit), which provides foundational theoretical frameworks and critical approaches to sustainability studies. They also complete SUST 5010H or 5020H (1.0 credit total), which is a colloquium designed to support academic discussion, professional development, and engagement with sustainability research themes. In addition, students complete SUST 5002H: Research Methods (0.5 credit), which provides essential training in research design, methodologies, and analytical tools used in sustainability research. The program also includes 0.5 elective credit from approved SUST graduate-level courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific areas of interest such as environmental policy, community development, or resource management. The central component of the program is the thesis, which involves conducting original, independent research under faculty supervision. Overall, the program prepares graduates for doctoral studies or professional careers in government, industry, and non-profit sectors by developing strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills in sustainability.