COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies is a 36–37 credit-hour interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare students to address complex environmental, social, and economic challenges through a systems-based and problem-solving approach. The curriculum begins with three required core courses: Environmental Ethics, Seminar in Sustainability, and a Professional Project, which together provide a strong foundation in ethical reasoning, sustainability theory, and applied problem-solving. Students also complete a 3-credit methods course chosen from options in qualitative research, statistical analysis, research methods in rhetoric, or philosophical logic, ensuring they develop analytical skills appropriate for interdisciplinary sustainability work.The program includes a structured set of electives organized into thematic areas. In the Society and Environment category, students take 3 credit hours in topics such as environmental policy, urban sustainability, environmental sociology, water law, sustainable cities, environmental justice, and agricultural development, allowing them to explore the social, political, and economic dimensions of sustainability. In the Science and Environment category, students complete 3–4 credit hours focusing on applied and technical topics such as agroecology, soil health, limnology, sustainable construction, water resources, and industrial ecology, strengthening their scientific and technical understanding of environmental systems.Additionally, students complete 18 credit hours of prescribed electives, selecting from a broad range of interdisciplinary courses across agriculture, geography, biology, public policy, sociology, philosophy, engineering, and environmental studies. These electives allow students to tailor their degree toward specific interests such as environmental management, sustainable development, policy analysis, or ecological science. Overall, the program combines ethical, social, scientific, and policy perspectives to prepare graduates for careers in sustainability planning, environmental consulting, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and related fields focused on creating more sustainable systems and communities.