best phd programs in sustainability

Sustainability Studies Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 72 results

School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences - Stanford University

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 3 out of 5   2 reviews

Stanford University ,

Graduate School ,

STANFORD, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Read 2 reviews.

Harvard Kennedy School

Cambridge, MA •

Harvard University •

• • Rating 4.45 out of 5   11 reviews

Master's Student: The MPP program has a strong core component and a lower average age than the other programs. I enjoy the core as it was my intention to develop more quantitative policy analysis skills, but many find the requirement cumbersome. There is a strong center-right lean to the faculty (in global terms not necessarily in US terms) and many seek to end up in federal government. This aspect is my least favorite part, but there are many wonderful and talented students who have bigger goals than landing a job at the White House. ... Read 11 reviews

Harvard University ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

11 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The MPP program has a strong core component and a lower average age than the other programs. I enjoy the core as it was my intention to develop more quantitative policy analysis skills, but many find... .

Read 11 reviews.

School of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

University of Pennsylvania ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

Rhode Island School of Design

Graduate School •

PROVIDENCE, RI

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   6

The New School

NEW YORK, NY

• • Rating 4.46 out of 5   37

The Schools of Public Engagement at The New School

The New School •

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   6

McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Evanston, IL •

Northwestern University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: Northwestern's Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability is a first of its kind professionally focused master's program in the nation. Interdisciplinary by design, MSES covers the technical, policy, and business/economics of the energy and sustainability sector pulling professors from the Kellogg School of Management as well as the McCormick School of Engineering. The industry professionals are leaders in their respective fields and are always willing to help the students. The cohort focused program enables deep connection among the students that will last a lifetime! ... Read 3 reviews

Northwestern University ,

EVANSTON, IL ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Northwestern's Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability is a first of its kind professionally focused master's program in the nation. Interdisciplinary by design, MSES covers the technical,... .

Read 3 reviews.

Washington University in St. Louis - Arts & Sciences

St. Louis, MO •

Washington University in St. Louis •

Washington University in St. Louis ,

ST. LOUIS, MO ,

School for Environment and Sustainability - University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

Master's Student: Loved the campus, the size of the incoming cohort, and the professors and faculty/staff! Had a great time around campus and engaging with off-campus sites and labs! SEAS really does its best to give as many resources as possible out to students (so if you're feeling lost or like some aspect is missing, chances are it's there, ask about it!). Fun community, lovely classrooms, and a welcoming environment. ... Read 3 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says Loved the campus, the size of the incoming cohort, and the professors and faculty/staff! Had a great time around campus and engaging with off-campus sites and labs! SEAS really does its best to give... .

• Find college scholarships

Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts

Pittsburgh, PA •

Carnegie Mellon University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I graduated from the School of Design at the College of Fine Arts. This is one best design program at a major research university. The cross disciplinary approach, and ability to take courses at other schools like business, engineering, and public policy makes the CMU experience truly unique. It’s been said that the hardest part about Harvard is getting in, and the hardest part about CMU is graduating. This very is true. ... Read 4 reviews

Blue checkmark.

Carnegie Mellon University ,

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I graduated from the School of Design at the College of Fine Arts. This is one best design program at a major research university. The cross disciplinary approach, and ability to take courses at... .

Read 4 reviews.

Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts

Atlanta, GA •

Georgia Institute of Technology •

Georgia Institute of Technology ,

ATLANTA, GA ,

Haas School of Business

Berkeley, CA •

University of California - Berkeley •

Master's Student: I am a new EWMBA admit at Haas and so far the experience has been fantastic! It's a close-knit community of intellectual, humble, and talented working professionals. The entire team of program directors, admissions officers, etc. are SO willing to help! ... Read 3 reviews

University of California - Berkeley ,

BERKELEY, CA ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a new EWMBA admit at Haas and so far the experience has been fantastic! It's a close-knit community of intellectual, humble, and talented working professionals. The entire team of program directors, admissions officers, etc. are SO willing to help! .

Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Winston-salem, NC •

Wake Forest University •

• • Rating 4.63 out of 5   8 reviews

Current Master's student: The academic program is great. The size of each class gives students the perfect opportunity to make connections with professors and other faculty. There could be an improvement in helping students understand the organization of the program. I love that there are multiple paths you can take within the program. ... Read 8 reviews

Wake Forest University ,

WINSTON-SALEM, NC ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The academic program is great. The size of each class gives students the perfect opportunity to make connections with professors and other faculty. There could be an improvement in helping students... .

Read 8 reviews.

School of Divinity - Wake Forest University

College of agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences - university of illinois.

Urbana, IL •

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign •

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ,

URBANA, IL ,

• Sponsored Find Student Loan Options
• Law Schools
• Public Administration Graduate Programs

College of Arts and Sciences - University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL •

University of Miami •

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   6 reviews

Master's Student: I am in graduate school and needed something online but also wanted something that was going to challenge me and provide me with a step further than my undergrad school provided. I compared many MPA programs and chose the University of Miami because the program was so similar to the in-person MPA program, taught by the same professors, and included the same courses. While entirely online, I have come to know my fellow graduate students and come to know the faculty in each of the courses I have taken. I'm currently half-way through the program and cannot wait to complete this degree! ... Read 6 reviews

University of Miami ,

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am in graduate school and needed something online but also wanted something that was going to challenge me and provide me with a step further than my undergrad school provided. I compared many MPA... .

Read 6 reviews.

Lyle School of Engineering

Dallas, TX •

Southern Methodist University •

Southern Methodist University ,

DALLAS, TX ,

College of the Environment

Seattle, WA •

University of Washington •

University of Washington ,

SEATTLE, WA ,

Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering & Science

Hoboken, NJ •

Stevens Institute of Technology •

Stevens Institute of Technology ,

HOBOKEN, NJ ,

College of Natural Sciences - University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA •

University of Massachusetts Amherst •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Doctoral Student: A bit stressful but overall good. Faculty is understanding about the general stress of a PhD program and academia. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Massachusetts Amherst ,

AMHERST, MA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says A bit stressful but overall good. Faculty is understanding about the general stress of a PhD program and academia. .

Patel College of Global Sustainability

Tampa, FL •

University of South Florida •

• • Rating 4.89 out of 5   9 reviews

Master's Student: While I have not yet started my program, my experience coordinating with the Patel College academic advisors and head of the departments has been nothing but pleasant and extremely helpful. ... Read 9 reviews

University of South Florida ,

TAMPA, FL ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says While I have not yet started my program, my experience coordinating with the Patel College academic advisors and head of the departments has been nothing but pleasant and extremely helpful. .

Read 9 reviews.

Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

New Brunswick, NJ •

Rutgers University–New Brunswick •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Doctoral Student: Excellent communication, easy-to-navigate website for research information, financial aid, etc. Intelligent educators. ... Read 2 reviews

Rutgers University–New Brunswick ,

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says Excellent communication, easy-to-navigate website for research information, financial aid, etc. Intelligent educators. .

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA •

University of Iowa •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

Alum: The University of Iowa typically treats their grad students quite well. The faculty are dedicated to student success and go out of their way to ensure you learn what you need to, cater to your interests and skills, and have the financial security to continue your studies. Iowa pays humanities grad students well and the health insurance is both stellar and cheap. The environment is friendly and supportive rather than competitive, which was hugely important for me. I wish things could have been more interdisciplinary. The other issue and of a growing concern is that the University board and new president were heading in a direction that wasn't student friendly or focused (or faculty/staff for that matter). As I graduated (2018), there were increasing discussions of cutting benefits, assistantships, tenure packages. ... Read 3 reviews

University of Iowa ,

IOWA CITY, IA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The University of Iowa typically treats their grad students quite well. The faculty are dedicated to student success and go out of their way to ensure you learn what you need to, cater to your... I wish things could have been more interdisciplinary. The other issue and of a growing concern is that the University board and new president were heading in a direction that wasn't student friendly... .

Saint Louis University- College of Arts and Sciences

St Louis, MO •

Saint Louis University •

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: Saint Louis University (SLU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program, which provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in computer science. Curriculum: The MS in Computer Science program typically covers advanced topics in computer science such as algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, computer networks, cybersecurity, software engineering, and more. Internships and Co-op Programs: SLU may offer internship or co-op programs that allow students to gain practical work experience in the field of computer science, potentially leading to job opportunities after graduation. Research Opportunities: SLU's MS in Computer Science program may offer opportunities for students to engage in research projects, publish papers, attend conferences, and contribute to advancements in the field. ... Read 3 reviews

Saint Louis University ,

ST LOUIS, MO ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Saint Louis University (SLU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program, which provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in computer science. Curriculum: The MS in Computer Science program typically covers advanced topics in computer science such as algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, computer networks,... Internships and Co-op Programs: SLU may offer internship or co-op programs that allow students to gain practical work experience in the field of computer science, potentially leading to job... Research Opportunities: SLU's MS in Computer Science program may offer opportunities for students to engage in research projects, publish papers, attend conferences, and contribute to advancements in... .

Providence, RI •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   6 reviews

Master's Student: Great! Challenging school with amazing professors who care about their students. Has amazing resources and funding. ... Read 6 reviews

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Great! Challenging school with amazing professors who care about their students. Has amazing resources and funding. .

College of Social and Behavioral Science - University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT •

University of Utah •

Alum: There are small class sizes, which allows you to be more interactive with your classmates and teachers. In many subjects, we had in depth dialogue about sensitive topics and the culture provided safe spaces to talk. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Utah ,

SALT LAKE CITY, UT ,

Featured Review: Alum says There are small class sizes, which allows you to be more interactive with your classmates and teachers. In many subjects, we had in depth dialogue about sensitive topics and the culture provided safe... .

OU College of Arts & Sciences

Norman, OK •

University of Oklahoma •

University of Oklahoma ,

NORMAN, OK ,

College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services - University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH •

University of Cincinnati •

• • Rating 4.67 out of 5   9 reviews

Doctoral Student: The application process was easy and I was able to find help whenever needed to sign up for classes. I am excited to being my priming this Fall! ... Read 9 reviews

University of Cincinnati ,

CINCINNATI, OH ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The application process was easy and I was able to find help whenever needed to sign up for classes. I am excited to being my priming this Fall! .

Savannah College of Art and Design

SAVANNAH, GA

• • Rating 4.46 out of 5   74

School of Design - Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah College of Art and Design •

Illinois Institute of Technology

CHICAGO, IL

• • Rating 4.37 out of 5   38

Showing results 1 through 25 of 72

Doctor of Philosophy in sustainability

About the doctor of philosophy degree.

The PhD in sustainability, offered only on ASU’s Tempe campus, engages scientists and leaders in research to investigate the urgent sustainability challenges of this century.

The flexible, interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to focus on problems of interest to them, drawing upon relevant knowledge from a variety of disciplines.

Students may be admitted to the PhD program with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from an international institution officially recognized by that country.

Learning outcomes

PhD graduates will have an advanced understanding of the dynamics of coupled socioecological systems and will be able to lead others in research and providing adaptive solutions to specific sustainability challenges. In addition to the common learning outcomes, PhD students will be able to:

• Understand the concepts and methods of a number of critical disciplines bearing on the sustainability of systems at different spatio-temporal scales.
• Lead others in applying these concepts and methods to developing sustainable strategies for water, land, air, and urban management at the local and global level.
• Lead others in the analysis and design of the built environment and institutions’ policies, regulations, and technologies to support sustainable development.

Requirements and electives

Courses and electives, core courses.

• SOS 510 – Perspectives on Sustainability
• SOS 520 – Research Design
• SOS 525 – Social-Ecological-Technical Systems: Domains & Interfaces
• SOS 589 – Community of Scholars (taken twice)

Solutions workshops

Solutions workshops are listed under SOS 594 and are designed to provide students with experience solving real-world problems that involve multiple sustainability challenges. As such, they will be problem-based and not specifically attached to one of the main themes.

Some example workshops include:

• SOS 594 – Sustainability Short Form Documentary
• SOS 594 – Sustainable Development in Action
• SOS 594 – Sustainable Neighborhoods for Happiness
• SOS 594 – Urban Sustainability – Best Practices/Case Studies
• SOS 594 – Operationalizing Corporate Sustainability through ESG Programs

Elective courses

Students may choose courses from any discipline at ASU that relate to their research project or dissertation. Electives must be approved by a student’s supervisory committee.

Research and dissertation

At least 12 credits of the approved PhD program of study must be SOS 792 Research and at least 12 credits must be SOS 799 Dissertation. After completion of the dissertation, the student must pass an oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

• SOS 792 – Research
• SOS 799 – Dissertation

Exams and Dissertation

When students have completed the coursework, they must pass a comprehensive examination and begin a prospectus (proposal) for their dissertation. After passing the prospectus defense, students enter candidacy. The culminating experience for the doctoral degree program is publication of the dissertation, accompanied by a dissertation defense. The non-coursework portion of the program usually lasts 2 years.

Have a question about the PhD in sustainability?

Ask us about sustainability at ASU and the diverse environmental, social, and economic focused degrees offered by the School of Sustainability!

Select Section

Doctoral (PhD)

I'M READY TO APPLY I WANT TO LEARN MORE    

The 2023 PhD cohort next to Douglas Lake at the University of Michigan Biological Station.

Through the research-based doctoral program in Environment and Sustainability, students may choose between a highly specialized course of study or one that broadly addresses complex, interdisciplinary issues.

It is strongly recommended that Ph.D. applicants contact SEAS faculty members prior to submitting an application.  It is important to establish a connection with faculty members to discuss mutual research areas. These interactions are helpful in determining fit with our faculty and SEAS community. Faculty research profiles and their contact information can be found here . 

Each student's course of study is tailored to their scholarly interests and guided by their faculty chair and committee. Broad areas of specialization reflect the expertise and research interests of faculty.

The doctoral program's goal is to develop the creative abilities of exceptional students, thereby training them for independent work that contributes to original research and scholarship at the forefront of their chosen fields. Students will become leaders in research, teaching and training others, and developing the scientific knowledge base needed to formulate policies and practices that help sustain natural resources.

Program Milestones

• Upon admission, you are assigned an advisor and faculty member(s) to serve on your interim Guidance Committee.
• In your first year, you prepare a "course of study" document that will guide your coursework and scholarly development.
• By the end of your second year, you will complete your qualifying exam and advance to doctoral candidacy.
• By the end of your fifth semester, you will submit your full dissertation proposal.
• By the end of your fifth year, you will defend your dissertation.

Your PhD will be granted by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies . The school's Doctoral Handbook provides key information, such as a timeline and outline of expectations and requirements. For more information, contact [email protected] .

DOCTORAL FORMS AND MATERIALS

• Publications

PhD in Sustainability Science

A three-year programme with an innovative approach to sustainability issues and a global change perspective.

• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Facebook

Applications for September 2024 entry are now closed.  

The Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability Science Programme is a three-year programme that takes an innovative approach to sustainability, seeking to promote a better understanding of the issues by incorporating global change perspectives.

This programme will equip graduates with comprehensive, multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainability problems, and deepen their understanding of the role of environmental sustainability in addressing current issues related to global change, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity. Students undertake problem-oriented research by playing an active role in UNU-IAS research projects, and acquire the quantitative and qualitative analytical skills necessary to understand the underlying principles of various systems involved in sustainability issues and debates.

Students can select courses from those offered by UNU-IAS, while also enjoying the opportunity to take courses at other leading universities in Japan such as the University of Tokyo, Sophia University, and International Christian University.

Programme Structure & Language

Admission requirements, how to apply, diploma programme for specialization on the paris agreement (spa), joint diploma programmes, japan foundation for unu (jfunu) scholarship.

The programme is offered on a full-time basis only. The academic year starts in September. The standard period to complete the degree requirements is 36 months or six academic semesters, excluding time spent on study leave of absence from the university. By July of their third-year students are expected to complete all of the course requirements, obtaining at least 14 credits and completing a doctoral dissertation.

The language of instruction is  English . [ Top ]

Applicants for the PhD in Sustainability Science are required to have met the following requirements by the application deadline in order to be considered:

1. A completed master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university or institution of higher education in a field related to sustainability and a minimum of two years of professional field experience related to UNU-IAS research themes which was acquired after obtaining a university degree (full time equivalent);

Two completed master’s degrees, at least one of which must be in a discipline related to sustainability studies (those who expect to receive a second master’s degree before the entrance period of September 2024 may also apply);

2. A GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 70% on a 100 % scale) for at least one of the master’s degrees earned; and

3. English language proficiency.

The minimum score requirements for English language qualifications required by UNU-IAS are:

• 600 on TOEFL – Paper-Based Testing (PBT) OR
• 100 on TOEFL – Internet-Based Testing (IBT) OR
• 7.0 on IELTS – Academic format

*   Please note that TOEFL and ILTS test scores are valid for two years. Invalid test scores will not be accepted.   UNU-IAS requires original TOEFL/IELTS score reports (no photocopies accepted).

• TOEFL: Please order an official score report using the institution code 6991. For more information on TOEFL, please visit  http://www.ets.org/toefl/
• IELTS: Please request that an official report be sent directly to UNU-IAS. For more information on IELTS, please visit  http://www.ielts.org/  [ Top ]

Applicants who have studied for at least two consecutive years in a degree-granting university programme taught entirely in English may submit a substitute document for the English language proficiency score. [ Top ]

Please refer to the PhD Application Guidelines  for detailed instructions on how to apply. [ Top ]

• 3 March 2024 : Deadline for applications
• Mid-April 2024 : Invitation to an interview and requests for submitting supporting documents by email (shortlisted applicants only)
• Mid to late April 2024 : Interviews (shortlisted applicants only)
• Late May 2024 onwards : Announcement of application results (successful applicants only)

Dates are subject to change . [ Top ]

• Application Processing Fee:  None
• Tuition Fee:  USD 12,000 per year*

To secure admission, successful applicants will be required to pay at least 50% of the tuition fee for the first academic year ( USD 6,000 *,  non-refundable ) by the due date on the invoice issued after the result announcement and prior to enrolment. Students who choose to pay annually must pay a full one-year tuition payment before the commencement of the academic year. Successful applicants are required to submit all documents and pay the tuition fee by the deadline.**

The estimated total expenses for living and studying in Tokyo for three years are approximately  USD 84,000 , including tuition fees. Applicants must ensure adequate financial resources to meet the full costs of educational and living expenses.

* The fee is subject to change .

**  UNU holida ys  are listed in the  UNU-IAS Academic Calendar .  [ Top ]

The curriculum is reviewed on a yearly basis and the course offerings may not be identical to the ones listed below.

Overview Courses (Compulsory)

• Trans-disciplinary Graduate Research Seminar I & II
• Sustainability Science Research Seminar

Elective Courses

• The United Nations System and Sustainable Development*
• Global Change and Planetary Boundaries*
• Principles of International Development Project*
• Water Resources Systems
• Education for Sustainable Development: From Global Agendas to Local Actions
• Understanding the mechanism to implement the Paris Agreement to the UNFCCC
• Frontier of Sustainability Science
• Law and Practice of the United Nations
• Climate Justice and the Right to Education
• Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems and Analysis: Theory and Application
• Environmental Statistics and Research Methods
• Studies of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes
• From SDGs to Climate Change: Implementation Strategies for its Adaptation and Mitigation

Courses marked with * are held over a short period as part of the UNU Intensive Core (IC) Courses.

Other elective courses may also be offered. A wide range of elective courses offered by partner universities are also available to UNU-IAS students through credit exchange arrangements. [ Top ]

UNU-IAS offers the SPA Diploma Programme focusing on the implementation of the Paris Agreement mechanisms, such as the enhanced transparency framework, nationally determined contributions, national adaptation planning process, global stocktake and market mechanisms. By strengthening national capacity in these areas, it aims to become an essential means of implementation of the agreement and develop future leaders who will be at the forefront of these vital efforts. The diploma will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the designated courses. [ Top ]

Students of the UNU-IAS PhD programme are also encouraged to pursue one of two joint diplomas in sustainability science, which are offered in partnership with the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (UT-GSFS) and with Sophia University. These diploma programmes require students to gain 18 credits, eight of which must be from courses specified by UNU-IAS and the partner university under the respective joint diploma programme. A joint diploma can only be awarded to students who successfully complete the three-year UNU-IAS PhD degree programme. [ Top ]

The scholarship is competitive and may be awarded to eligible students who have been accepted for enrolment in the PhD programme. There is no separate application form for the scholarship as it is part of the main online application form for admission. Interested applicants must provide the necessary information and documents for the scholarship when applying to the PhD programme.

I. Coverage

The jfUNU scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 120,000 JPY as a support package for a maximum of 36 months. The tuition fees may be waived for the scholarship recipients.

II. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be from developing countries* who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
• Applicants who are currently living in Japan under a working visa are NOT eligible for the scholarship.
• Applicants who are already enrolled in other PhD programmes are not eligible. This includes those who have already obtained a PhD degree at an institution other than UNU-IAS.

*Developing countries included in the latest  OECD DAC list .

III. Additional Requirements

• Recipients of the jfUNU Scholarship are required to write a short essay on their learning and experiences at UNU, which is submitted to the donor organisation. Before graduation, each recipient is requested to submit a note of appreciation to the donors with reflections on their future plans.
• Recipients agree to foster collaboration with jfUNU through participating in jfUNU activities, events, and other opportunities offered to the student body. [ Top ]

Before contacting the Admissions Office, please read through the  Frequently Asked Questions  to see if your question has been answered. For any unanswered questions, please use the  Inquiry Form . [ Top ]

Environmental Policy Programs

Ranked in 2024, part of Best Public Affairs Schools

Environmental policy and management programs

Environmental policy and management programs involve principles of environmental sustainability and change, combined with core sciences, ethics and technology courses. These are the top schools for environmental policy and management. Read the methodology »

• Clear Filters

PhD in Sustainability Management

Scholarship in applied sustainable development

The PhD in Sustainability Management (SUSM) prepares future sustainability innovators with interdisciplinary research skills, management approaches, strategies and processes to realize sustainable outcomes with business, government and third sector organizations.

Students contribute to the creation of academic knowledge by developing methods, systems, concepts, and tools for sustainability management. Data and analysis consider environmental, social and governance areas in sustainable development.

Graduates prepare for career paths both inside and outside academia, including employment in government, business and third sector organizations. Through professional development seminars, students gain skills to mobilize their knowledge and develop skills for careers outside of academia.

Contact: Anastasiya Saparaliyeva Graduate Program Coordinator PhD in Sustainability Management

Request a digital brochure

• Main ENV Page
• Climate Change
• MEB - Master of Environment and Business
• MEDI Economic Development and Innovation
• MDP Development Practice
• MES Sustainability Management
• PhD Sustainability Management
• Social and Ecological Sustainability
• MFC Future Cities

I give the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, permission to email me.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/privacy/.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

Sustainability Graduate

Courses & Programs

Build the Skills to Impact the World

Are you ready to join a community of change agents committed to building a more sustainable future? There’s no better time to develop new expertise through courses and programs that are immersive, relevant, and actionable.

Explore Your Options

Microcertificates.

Accelerated 2-course microcredentials

Graduate Certificates

4-course graduate credentials

Master’s Degrees

12-course graduate programs

Harvard Extension School provides coursework in a set of remarkably important fields. I believe that none are more important in this moment than the sustainability and global development fields. By empowering professionals to be able to tackle global threats to our mutual environmental well-being, HES is poised to deliver positive impacts domestically and internationally.”

Dr. Michael Mortimer

Director, Sustainability & Global Development Practice Programs

The Harvard Extension Advantage

Customizable and Stackable Pathways

Learning Designed For Real-World Impact

A Faculty of Experts in Sustainability and Global Development

At Harvard Extension School, we offer flexible pathways to fit your schedule, budget, and career goals. You can design the path that works best for you. Start by taking a single course to build knowledge in a semester. Want to continue? Stack your course toward a certificate — and perhaps ultimately a master’s degree, choosing the courses that best fit your goals.

Design a Stackable Pathway in Sustainability

Explore the various opportunities to dive deep into sustainability — and design a flexible path through courses, certificates, and degrees.

Accelerated, 2-course graduate credentials in:

• Circular Economics
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Regenerative Agriculture
• Sustainable Finance

Build deeper expertise in a 4-course graduate certificate online:

• Corporate Sustainability and Innovation
• Environmental Policy and International Development 
• Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems
• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Sustainable Food Systems

Earn a 12-course graduate degree online with an immersive on-campus experience:

• Global Development Practice
• Sustainability

Getting Started

Going back to school as an adult student can be overwhelming. These tips will help you navigate your next steps.

Explore Courses & Requirements

Get to know the curriculum for your program of choice, exploring courses and requirements.

Visit: Tips for Starting a Degree

Prepare to Register

Learn about when and how to register for your first course.

Explore:   Prospective Student Guide

Connect for Guidance

As you consider your next step, our enrollment team is here to help.

inquiry@ extension.harvard.edu

(617) 495-4024

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

2024 Best Online PhD in Sustainability [Doctorate Guide]

An online PhD in Sustainability is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares individuals to become innovative researchers in environmental sustainability and Earth sciences.

Countries and governments are putting the environment and climate change at the forefront.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

In a sustainability PhD program, you can develop advanced knowledge and skills that can be integrated in a way that influences policymaking regarding environmental issues.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Sustainability Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Antioch University

Antioch University offers a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies. To graduate, students must complete 69 semester hours, including a dissertation.

Those interested in the program must submit an online portfolio with an application, an essay, a resume, official transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Applicants must also complete an admissions interview. Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Prescott College

Prescott College offers a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education. Students must complete 72 credit hours through three different phases and a final dissertation to graduate. To be eligible for the program, applicants must submit a list of references, a current resume, official transcripts, and a personal statement.

Prescott College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Saybrook University

Saybrook University offers a Sustainable Social Impact Doctor of Business Administration. Students must complete 51 credit hours to graduate. The program can be completed online and usually takes 3 years to complete. Those interested in the program may apply online through the school’s website. Admission counselors are available to help applicants.

Saybrook University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers an online Doctor of Business Administration program that focuses on sustainability. Students must complete a dissertation to graduate. Those interested in the program must submit official transcripts, a resume, 2 professional references, and a personal statement. A writing sample is optional but encouraged by the program’s admissions department.

The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point offers a Doctorate in Education in Educational Sustainability. Students must complete 54 credit hours to graduate. The program can typically be completed in 3 years. Applicants may apply online with all post-secondary transcripts, a letter of intent, a resume, and 3 references.

UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online PhD in Sustainability Programs

When pursuing an online doctoral program in sustainability, there are a number of specializations within the sustainability scope you may encounter. Specializing your studies can allow you to develop more technical skills within your area of interest and may help you prepare for specific career goals.

Following a particular sustainability program involves research and in-depth comprehension of the topic on a global scale. Here are some sustainability PhD programs that you may want to pursue, depending on your personal interests and professional goals.

PhD in Sustainable Development

Sustainable development involves the advanced study of social, environmental, and economic sustainability and how critical policy can influence natural science issues. If you wish to be involved in challenging policies that concern and influence the future success of our planet, you might want to consider earning a PhD in Sustainable Development.

Studies in this specialization include economics, natural and social sciences, and sustainable development research. This specialization could be applicable to roles in academia, government, finance, or the private sector. Professionals in this area may work in logistics, in storage and distribution, or as sustainability managers.

PhD in Environmental Sustainability

A PhD in Environmental Sustainability trains you on how to develop, implement, and frequently assess policies related to sustainability.

You can learn how to properly address environmental challenges through applied research that looks across a variety of disciplines. Course topics can include environmental justice, urban systems, consumption, social cohesion and inequality, and sustainable enterprise and development.

This program often leads into a wide range of green careers in academia or in private or public sectors. Many professionals work with environmental science, environmental engineering, or policy management.

PhD in Sustainability Education

PhD candidates in sustainability education research the impact and benefits of educating people on sustainable practices.

You can learn how to encourage others to ask the fundamental questions that lead to addressing environmental and sustainability issues that concern our communities and our planet. This program encourages the development of global citizenship in students.

In a sustainability education program, you can study course topics related to educational administration, community development, advocacy, public relations, and politics. Professionals with this specialized training generally work in NGOs or charities. They may also work as environmental specialists, conservation scientists, or academic leaders.

Environmental Science and Sustainability Careers & Salaries

With environmental impact becoming an essential focus for both public and private organizations, jobs in sustainability have become ever more important as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , rapid employment growth is expected for eco-friendly occupations over the next ten years. In addition, median averages for those working in sustainability occupations are also higher than the average for all occupations.

Sustainability roles are extremely diverse, and sustainability professionals can be found in nearly every sector. Your PhD program specialization can be defined around your specific career goals. Organizations are facing many sustainability issues today, and online doctorate programs in sustainability can train leaders to address the environmental responsibilities of individual companies.

Sustainability Doctorate Curriculum & Courses

A PhD in Sustainability is heavily research focused and often requires a dissertation. Depending on the specialization you choose to pursue, you may be enrolled in a variety of diverse courses in humanities, science, business, and engineering.

Here are some courses you may encounter:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability Science : You’ll learn how to conduct advanced, individual research on sustainable production, distribution, and consumption. Ecological economics is a primary focus in this course.
• Industrial Ecology : You’ll study the relationship between ecological and industrial systems and how they impact one another.
• Risk Analysis : This course helps you develop advanced skills in risk identification. You can also learn about the management of risk through a sustainability lens, including economic, social, and environmental impact.
• Economics of Sustainability : You’ll study the advanced micro and macroeconomics of sustainable systems and learn to use rigorous economic reasoning in your analysis and problem-solving of various topics.
• Sustainable Development : This course develops your knowledge of resource management, energy planning, and recycling for more efficient and sustainable community and cooperation development. This course develops your leadership skills for sustainable development roles.
• Policy Mechanisms : In this advanced course, you’ll learn how to properly address government and market failures that endanger sustainability. Using scientific evidence, you can learn to adjust and implement appropriate policy to help reduce global impact of problems.
• Professional Skills for Environmental Sustainability : Doctoral candidates develop advanced oral and written communication skills in this course, which prepares them for management, leadership, and lecture roles. They also learn how to compose and present professional reports.
• Research Design : In preparation for a dissertation, you’ll learn advanced research methods under the sustainability lens.
• Sustainable Water : Water purification and water preservation are essential for global environmental sustainability. You’ll use this focus and an engineering lens to present solutions for real-world case studies.
• International Development and Sustainability : You’ll learn about global development and industrial advancement that does not compromise the environment, and you’ll learn how to create innovative solutions to reach sustainability goals for development projects.

If your PhD requires a dissertation, the later years of your program would likely focus on your research development.

Sustainability PhD Admissions Requirements

When applying for a PhD program, there are often strict guidelines and requirements that accompany the application packet. It’s beneficial to thoroughly research the particular admission requirements of the school you are interested in.

Here are some admission requirements you may encounter:

• GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
• Minimum GPA of 3.0, on average
• Letters of professional recommendation
• Writing sample that includes your educational objectives

Some schools also recommend that you include a CV that demonstrates your work or research experience in sustainability.

Doctoral Degrees in Sustainability Accreditation

Accreditation for your doctoral degree is essential. Not only is it often necessary for employment after graduation, but it’s also vital when it comes to receiving financial aid or being able to transfer your credits to change programs or schools.

Online programs are especially at risk of being falsely accredited by fraudulent institutions. You can visit the website for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to verify the registered status of your program or school of interest.

Regional accreditation ensures you are attending a school with high academic standards, and it can also protect you when it comes to any employment requests for accreditation.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Doctorate programs can be an expensive venture, but there are many financial assistance opportunities that you may have the chance to qualify for.

You may find funding through scholarships, research councils, charities or foundations related to sustainability, or even grants given to you by your employer. Some schools even fully fund doctoral studies through their research budget.

You can begin your search for government aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . Federal loans for doctorate students can be immense, and FAFSA simplifies the process, enabling you to see how much aid you qualify for.

What Is a PhD in Sustainability?

A PhD in Sustainability is a doctoral program that helps you develop an advanced understanding of sustainability practices and your global citizenship responsibilities. It also allows you to find an area of focus related to your environmental education passions.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainability is a research-based program that uses scientific evidence to develop sustainability solutions on a nationwide and global scale. This doctoral degree can help prepare you for leadership and sustainability management roles in the green sector of various industries.

What Can I Do with a PhD in Sustainability?

A doctorate degree in sustainability can help you develop advanced qualifications for leadership and management roles in the green sector.

Sustainability is necessary in nearly every industry. Many sustainability experts work as natural sciences managers, environmental engineers, postsecondary teachers, environmental scientists, and conservation scientists, among other roles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that wages related to environmental protection are well above the average wage for all occupations. Holding a doctorate can often increase your earning potential as well.

Can You Get a PhD in Sustainability Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Sustainability online. Online sustainability degree programs allow for flexible enrollment and can minimize the financial burden of residency or commuting.

Online programming can also offer more convenient scheduling for working professionals. So, completing your doctoral degree online may enable you to pursue your degree while continuing your employment. Credible online degrees, such as an online masters in sustainability or an online PhD in Sustainability, can be earned at accredited universities and institutions.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctoral Degree in Sustainability Online?

In general, a PhD often takes 3 to 5 years to complete. This timeframe can vary depending on the number of credit hours required and how long it takes you to complete your dissertation.

If there is no dissertation requirement, a doctoral program can generally be completed in 3 years with full-time study. Attending part-time can lengthen the amount of time it takes to obtain your PhD.

Is a Doctorate in Sustainability Worth It?

Yes, a doctorate in sustainability is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment in the environmental protection sector is seeing significant growth as sustainability becomes a concern across nearly every industry.

For instance, both natural science managers and conversation scientists are projected to see 6% job growth over the next ten years. Environmental scientists and specialists are expected to experience 8% job growth (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Employment for postsecondary teachers is projected to increase 12% over the same time period. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that individuals with a doctorate see the lowest unemployment rate.

Getting Your PhD in Sustainability Online

Sustainability practices and strategies have become a central focus across nearly every industry. Getting your PhD in Sustainability online can help you develop advanced skills and expertise in the field, and doctoral qualifications can help you pursue leadership roles in the green sector.

Pursuing your doctorate online through an accredited university allows you the flexibility to further your educational career alongside your personal and professional obligations. You can begin exploring online doctoral degrees today to find the sustainability program and specialization that best align with your professional goals.

• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD)

Canadian immigration updates.

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a problem-focused and curiosity-driven interdisciplinary research institute and graduate program, with interest and expertise in a wide range of topics under the realm of environment and sustainability. Our mission is to foster sustainable futures through integrated research and learning about the linkages among human and natural systems, and to support decision making from local to global scales. More often than not, we achieve this through collaborations across students and faculty in a manner that recognizes our collective skills, intellectual histories and methodological approaches, and yet encourages our interdependencies as we consider real world problems.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

Over fifty percent of our core faculty are Canada Research Chairs and faculty mentoring has led to a high success rate of our students winning major fellowships and scholarships. There are multi-year funding packages offered for top applicants to the RES program. RES has over 400 alumni since the graduate program started in 1994.

UBC is a world leader in my field, situated in a city where the conversation around Indigenous rights and the environment is arguably at its most progressive. I have been overwhelmed by the passion and academic caliber of my peers and faculty. Many academics in our department are actively involved in work beyond the university, and I am inspired by their commitment to balancing academic and practical work.

Madison Stevens

Quick Facts

Program Enquiries

Admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

RES does not admit applicants to the PhD program unless they have completed a thesis-based master's degree prior to the RES PhD program start.

Course Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites for the RES PhD program other than you must have completed a thesis-based Masters degree from a recognized institution. As we are an interdisciplinary program, we accept applications from all disciples and backgrounds. Anyone interested in studying environmental/sustainability problems in an interdisciplinary way is encouraged to apply.

Document Requirements

The RES program requires all applicants to submit a thesis proposal with their application. Details of this can be found here: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-program/prospective-students/how-to-apply/

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

All full-time students who begin a UBC-Vancouver PhD program in September 2024 or later will be guaranteed a minimum funding package of $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. This guaranteed minimum doctoral funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work (TA), Research assistantships (RA), and Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA).

Additional funding opportunities for PhD applicants may come from UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) : an $18,200 stipend plus full tuition coverage per year, for four consecutive years.

RES students have also been highly successful in receiving support from the most prestigious funding agencies. Many of our students are Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)  or Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)   recipients, and in recent years we have seen our students receive both Vanier  Canada Graduate Scholarships  and the Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship , the most highly-regarded scholarships in Canada. You can review a detailed list of the most commonly applied to scholarships on our website.

In addition to external scholarships and funding options noted above, RES typically distributes one-time entrance awards to the majority of incoming students. The amount of these awards varies year to year, however over the last three years the awards have been in the range of $3000-$5000.

It is important for applicants to the RES program to confirm the details of any funding package that may be available to them prior to accepting an offer of admission to the program.

Average Funding

• 8 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 8 students was $6,018.
• 19 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 19 students was $17,172.
• 12 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 12 students was $4,726.
• 32 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 32 students was $13,925.
• 16 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 16 students was $30,208.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

71 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 graduate is seeking employment; for 8 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 62 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Our current students, alumni and faculty lead and serve on numerous international, national, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and regional bodies dedicated to protecting the environment and improving well-being.

Alumni on Success

Glen Hearns

Job Title Self Employed

Employer Self Employed

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

This program went through a name change in previous years that may have included curriculum changes. It was previously known as: Doctor of Philosophy in Resource Management and Environmental Studies until 2015. Historical data on this page may include data collected under the previous name(s) of the program.

ENROLMENT DATA

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Boyd, David (Human rights)
• Chan, Kai (Natural environment sciences; Human Ecology; Ecology and Quality of the Environment; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection; Applied Ethics; Values and Lifestyles; Sustainable Development; conservation finance; Conservation science; cultural ecosystem services; Ecosystem services; environmental assessment; environmental values; incentive programs; payments for ecosystem services; resilience; social-ecological systems; sustainability science)
• Chang, Stephanie (All other social sciences, n.e.c.)
• Donner, Simon (Atmospheric sciences; Oceanography; Other media and communication; Climate Science; climate change impacts; Climate policy; Coastal Ecosystems; Marine Environment; Climate modelling and prediction; Science communication; Net-zero emissions; Coral reefs)
• Gantois, Joséphine (Human Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation)
• Giang, Amanda (Atmospheric sciences; Mechanical engineering; Natural environment sciences; Atmospheric Pollutants; Chemical Pollutants; Climate Changes and Impacts; Public Policies; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection)
• Harris, Leila (Critical identity, ethnic and race studies; Gender, sexuality and education; Human rights, justice, and ethical issues; Africa; Development Policies; Drinking Water; Environmental justice; equity and social justice; Ethics and Fundamental Issues of Law and Justice; Fresh Water; Gender Relationship; gender and social difference; Ghana; International development; participatory resource management; Resources Management; Social Contract and Social Justice; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection; South Africa; Turkey and Middle East; Water; water governance; water politics)
• Johnson, Mark (Geology; Natural environment sciences; Agriculture; Biogeochemistry; Carbon cycle; Climate Changes and Impacts; data science; Ecohydrology; Ecology and Quality of the Environment; Fresh Water; Ground Water and Water Tables; Hydrological Cycle and Reservoirs; Land and Soil; land use; Running Water Hydrosystem; Water and Sustainability)
• Kandlikar, Milind (Climate change impacts and adaptation; Product life cycle; Environmental policy; Research, science and technology policy; Environmental impacts; Climate Change and energy transition; Technological Risk; Technology and Development)
• Kremen, Claire (Natural environment sciences; Zoology; agroecological farming systems; Reconciliation of agricultural land use with biodiversity conservation; sustainable landscapes)
• Oberg, Gunilla (History and philosophy of science (including non-historical philosophy of science); Other earth and related environmental sciences, n.e.c.; Indigenous peoples environmental knowledge; All other social sciences, n.e.c.; Science and knowledge production; Scientific controversies surrounding the evaluation of chemical risk (epistemic and ontological); Indigenous data justice as related to chemicals regulation & management; Social and cultural factors of chemicals regulation & management; Vocabulary, Knowledge, Significance and Thought Building; environmental health; The challenge of teaching science as a process and not a deliverer of irrefutable facts; The role of deliberation in science)
• Ramankutty, Navin (Natural environment sciences; Public administration; Public policy; Public security policy; Agriculture; Climate Changes and Impacts; Climate impacts; Environment and Society; Global food security; Land use change; Sustainable agriculture)
• Satterfield, Theresa (Sustainable development, environmental health, First Nation & land management, social and cultural consequences of contamination)
• Wittman, Hannah (Sociology and related studies; Farming systems research; food sovereignty; Sustainable agriculture; socio-ecological systems; Agroecology)
• Zhao, Jiaying (Natural environment sciences; Psychology and cognitive sciences)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Examining Canadian governance of First Nations fisheries along the coast of British Columbia through a theoretical lens of food justice
• A critical physical geography of conservation, water, and scientific research in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
• The influence of climate change on crop yields in the Canadian Prairies
• Advancing equity in water demand management among local governments in British Columbia, Canada
• Crop yield estimation in the Canadian Prairies : assessing the relative importance of scale, satellite and biophysical data
• Agricultural data governance, data justice, and the politics of novel agri-food technologies in Canada
• Understanding relationships between people and nature in the context of privately protected areas in Peru
• Messaging for wildlife conservation : leveraging attitudes, intentions, and actions for transformative change
• Inequality in global access to food and its implications for climate change and Sustainable Development Goals
• Interactions between the land surface and the near-surface atmosphere : implications for evaporative demand and evapotranspiration under a changing climate
• Exploring complexity in changing practices of care : a mixed methods inquiry into rights, relations, and knowledge in protected area conservation
• Just in principle? : assessing the contributions of organic farming to socio-ecological sustainability in Canadian agriculture
• Multi-hazard perspectives on risk perception, disaster preparedness, and emergency management

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (MA)
• Master of Science in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (MSc)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Sustainability

Further Information

Specialization.

Resources, Environment and Sustainability fosters sustainable futures through integrated research and learning concerning the linkages among human and natural systems and supports decision making for local to global scales. RES provides a home for graduate students focusing on the integration of the biophysical (ecological), socio-economic, and political realities of resource management within the context of a sustainable, healthy environment.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Charlotte Milne

I chose to come to UBC thanks to its unique placement as a university that advocates for and prioritizes the inclusion of Indigenous sciences alongside Western practices. I came for my fantastic supervisor Prof. Stephanie Chang, thanks to her world-renowned expertise in disaster risk and...

UBC is an incredible, world class university, and I’m so grateful to have landed here. Especially through my lab (Climate and Coastal Ecosystems) with Dr. Simon Donner and my colleagues at IRES, I have an amazing support network and a multitude of resources to access for my research. Through...

Jerry Achar

Joining UBC was a great deal for me because the University has high academic standards and a global reputation for producing cutting-edge research, competent graduate students and world leaders, and providing a conducive environment for personal and professional growth. The University has offered...

I decided to study at UBC for several professional and personal reasons. The Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability at UBC is a highly interdisciplinary environment with a commitment to applied and problem-oriented research, and it is important to me that my work helps to solve...

Curious about life in Vancouver?

Find out how Vancouver enhances your graduate student experience—from the beautiful mountains and city landscapes, to the arts and culture scene, we have it all. Study-life balance at its best!

• Why Grad School at UBC?
• Application & Admission
• Info Sessions
• Research Projects
• Indigenous Students
• International Students
• Tuition, Fees & Cost of Living
• Newly Admitted
• Student Status & Classification
• Student Responsibilities
• Supervision & Advising
• Managing your Program
• Health, Wellbeing and Safety
• Professional Development
• Dissertation & Thesis Preparation
• Final Doctoral Exam
• Final Dissertation & Thesis Submission
• Life in Vancouver
• Vancouver Campus
• Graduate Student Spaces
• Graduate Life Centre
• Life as a Grad Student
• Graduate Student Ambassadors
• Meet our Students
• Award Opportunities
• Award Guidelines
• Minimum Funding Policy for PhD Students
• Killam Awards & Fellowships
• Policies & Procedures
• Information for Supervisors
• Dean's Message
• Leadership Team
• Strategic Plan & Priorities
• Vision & Mission
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Initiatives, Plans & Reports
• Graduate Education Analysis & Research
• Media Enquiries
• Newsletters
• Giving to Graduate Studies

Strategic Priorities

• Strategic Plan 2019-2024
• Improving Student Funding
• Promoting Excellence in Graduate Programs
• Enhancing Graduate Supervision
• Advancing Indigenous Inclusion
• Supporting Student Development and Success
• Reimagining Graduate Education
• Enriching the Student Experience

Initiatives

• Public Scholars Initiative
• 3 Minute Thesis (3MT)
• PhD Career Outcomes

Sustainability, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, Food, Future, Global Warming, Justice, Pollution, Society, Supply Chain, Water, approved for STEM-OPT extension, ethics, sustain, urban

Research and develop solutions to sustainability challenges that bridge disciplines. Learn from leading scientists and scholars in this customizable, interdisciplinary program.

The PhD program in sustainability prepares students to become scientists and leaders in research who investigate the urgent sustainability challenges of this century. The flexible, transdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to focus on problems of interest to them, drawing upon relevant knowledge from sustainability science and a variety of disciplines. This full-time program includes a high degree of faculty interaction and collaboration.

All sustainability doctoral students gain a better understanding of the need for a transdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability challenges as well as the ability to communicate their research effectively to academic and non-academic audiences alike.

In addition to the common learning outcomes, students are able to conduct research on particular sustainability challenges using theoretical lenses and methods from sustainability science and a range of complementary disciplines. Students learn to translate sustainability challenges to tractable research questions; develop a portfolio of quantitative and qualitative research methods to address these research questions; formulate and test hypotheses; utilize rigorous elicitation methods to gather qualitative and quantitative datasets; learn to engage with stakeholders to co-produce knowledge; use statistical and other analytic techniques to analyze data; and build and apply models of social-ecological systems.

They develop expertise in the analysis of institutional policies and regulations, as well as the design of the built environment and technologies, to support sustainable development. They also develop the foundational knowledge of concepts and methods required to conduct interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and effectively communicate their findings across academic disciplines, as well as to policymakers and the general public.

Graduates possess an advanced understanding of the dynamics of coupled social-ecological systems and use this knowledge to conduct original research to inform robust solutions to specific sustainability challenges. They are equipped to lead others in the development of sustainable strategies at the local, national and global levels.

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

• College/school: College of Global Futures
• Location: Tempe

86 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (11 credit hours) SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3) SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3) SOS 525 Social-Ecological-Technical Systems (SETS): Domains and Interfaces (3) SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2)

Solutions Workshop Electives (6 credit hours)

Open Electives (45 credit hours)

Research (12 credit hours) SOS 792 Research (12)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SOS 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Students take SOS 589 twice for one credit hour. For electives, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Other coursework may be used with the approval of the academic unit. Only six credit hours of 400-level coursework can be included in the plan of study.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this program. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the remaining coursework is to be made up of appropriate electives.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Global Futures.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. The school encourages applicants with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences that are relevant to the school's core objectives.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of intent
• three letters of recommendation
• resume or curriculum vitae
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The statement of intent should not exceed 600 words and should describe how the applicant's background will contribute to success in the program; describe how completion of the degree will support long-term career goals; elaborate on key research questions the applicant wishes to address or problems to solve as part of the plan of study; and identify potential faculty advisors.

Letters of recommendation must be from three people who can attest to the applicant's academic and professional achievements. At least one letter should be academic in nature.

Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.

Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.

Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage , and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website . These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.

Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement .

Professionals with expertise in sustainability frameworks and interdisciplinary research are in high demand across industries, including business, academia and government. Skills in critical thinking, teamwork, sustainability problem solving and research are valuable to businesses and institutions, many of which are in need of expertise to solve critical sustainability problems and introduce sustainability principles into their business models.

From the School of Sustainability's 2022 alumni employment survey, 100% of doctoral program respondents are employed. Of those respondents employed, 100% have jobs directly related to sustainability. Students can learn more about careers in sustainability and where graduates of sustainability doctoral programs are now employed by visiting the School of Sustainability's alumni employment data website .

Career possibilities for program graduates include:

• chief sustainability officer
• data analyst
• environmental scientist
• geographic information systems coordinator
• program manager or director
• research scientist
• sustainability consultant
• sustainability policy advisor
• sustainability specialist

School of Sustainability | WCPH 3rd floor [email protected] 480-727-6963 Admission deadlines

• Net Zero Features
• Conscious Living Essentials
• Geothermal Energy Installers
• Planet Earth
• Climate Policy
• Sustainability

10 Best Sustainability Graduate Programs

We are reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission.

Cities and companies worldwide have put eco-friendliness at the forefront of policies and operations. To develop viable green solutions for the climate crisis, prospective graduate students should enroll in the best sustainability graduate programs available.

Higher education in sustainability prepares students for green design, energy engineering, education, conservation, natural resource management, and corporate sustainability compliance, among other fields. The result is always a rewarding career that positively impacts people and the planet.

1. Harvard University

Harvard University’s sustainability master’s degree program delivers an in-depth study of human-nature interactions and ways to adapt to global environmental change. 

Throughout this 12-course program — offered online or in-person — students gain leadership and engagement skills for grassroots and corporate settings. Additionally, they learn about crucial political, social, technological and economic standards that aid green development.

2. Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) has four graduate-level sustainability programs : Urban Regional Planning, Sustainable Energy, Aquatic Environmental Science, and Social and Sustainable Enterprises. The fourth program culminates in an online Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (MSE).

The MSE ensures students can assist companies in meeting current market demands without compromising the planet for future generations. Course topics cover ethical management, sustainable branding, human rights in business, and environmental, social and governmental (ESG) investing.

3. Arizona State University — Online

Students interested in the best sustainability graduate programs offered online should consider Arizona State University (ASU). ASU offers four master’s degree programs — Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Engineering, Sustainable Tourism, and Sustainability Leadership — to prepare students to lead green initiatives across numerous industries.

Each program comprises 30–31 credits, which students can complete on a flexible academic schedule. These online programs significantly benefit those pursuing higher education while working full-time. 

4. Oregon State University

Oregon State University (OSU) offers a Master of Forestry in Sustainable Forest Management and a Master of Science in Sustainable Forest Management.

Curriculum tracks cover soil and water quality , watershed science, road design, ecological restoration, and forest policies and economics. Graduates with degrees in sustainable forestry are crucial to conserving biodiversity. 

For instance, conservationists successfully preserved a wolf pack at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. Wolves are a keystone species, essential for ecological health. 

5. University of Miami

Miami, Florida, is at the crux of the climate crisis as rising sea levels and intensifying hurricanes threaten the city. The University of Miami’s (UM) Master of Professional Science in Urban Sustainability and Resilience delivers practical expertise in helping urban communities combat climate change. Core courses include Resilient Community Design, Sustainable Cities, and Housing, Infrastructure and Transportation. 

UM also has a Master of Science in Sustainable Business Program where students strategize sustainable initiatives aligned with corporate missions. Nearly 65% of businesses want to advance their sustainability but require someone with the expertise to lead green programs.

6. Texas A&M University at Galveston

Those interested in sustainable coastal and ocean management may pursue a Master of Marine Resources Management at Texas A&M University at Galveston. 

Program deliverables couple marine natural resources with conservation management and policy development. Students may pursue careers in fisheries management, oil and gas development, consulting, coastal management, public policy, and non-profits.

7. Hawai’i Pacific University

Imagine pursuing a graduate degree in sustainability surrounded by turquoise waters, rich forest ecosystems, and active volcanoes. The Master of Arts in Sustainability (MASUST) program at Hawai’i Pacific University provides an interdisciplinary look at global and local environmental challenges. Students then formulate sustainable and resilient solutions. 

Students receive hands-on practice engaging local stakeholders to understand and advise sustainable strategies for pressing environmental issues. MASUST students are also encouraged to intern at a local business, government entity, or non-profit organization to apply their learning.

8. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Water might be a renewable resource, but only 1% is available for human consumption — meaning sustainable water management is becoming increasingly dire. 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Master of Science in Water Resource Management examines current human needs for water resources as students seek ways to ensure its availability for future generations.

Students must complete 30 core credits in natural science and technology, public decision-making, analytical and design tools and a summer practicum related to water resources. Additionally, students must complete 15 credits in their chosen specialty. 

9. Lincoln University

Lincoln University in Missouri offers a Master of Science in Sustainable Agriculture that addresses conventional farming practices and sustainable crop production for the future.

Students gain expertise in production, research, and consulting concerning natural resources, animal welfare, soil health, and water conservation. Depending on whether they enroll in the thesis or non-thesis track, students must complete between 30 and 33 credits. Courses may include the following:

• Plant Nutrition and Management
• Soil Management
• Food Safety
• Integrated Pest Management
• Production Economics

Lincoln University also maintains a contract with the University of Nebraska Lincoln to offer some courses online or in a hybrid setting for greater flexibility. 

10. Glasgow Caledonian New York College

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global emissions — 40% from polyester production. Additionally, fast fashion — mass manufacturing of clothing — leads to excess waste, plastic pollution in oceans, and poor working conditions at textile plants.

A Master of Science in Sustainable Fashion from Glasgow Caledonian New York College (GCNYC) challenges students to develop sustainable solutions within the fashion industry. This 36-credit program is primarily research-based and includes course topics like Business Strategy for the Common Good, Sustainable Fashion Strategy, and Material and Social Considerations.

GCNYC has multiple learning options for students to obtain their sustainable fashion master’s degree. Live courses allow students to attend in-person lectures or log into Zoom, while all classes are held in the evening to accommodate working professionals.

Likewise, the online curriculum provides the same cutting-edge education and faculty in a more flexible learning environment where students can complete their program at their own pace.

A Healthy Planet Depends on Sustainability Experts

You can safeguard the planet for future generations by gaining expert knowledge from the best sustainability graduate programs. Each program delivers a unique interdisciplinary study for students to apply sustainable practices to every industry.

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

Like what you read? Join other Environment.co readers!

Get the latest updates on our planet by subscribing to the Environment.co newsletter!

About the author

7 Types of Dolphin Everyone Should Know

Are Elephant Seals Endangered?

Natural Egg Dye Kit: How to Make One at Home

What Is a Hummingbird Moth?

How to Navigate By The Stars

How Are Polar Bears Affected By Climate Change?

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in sustainability.

26 degrees at 22 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

About Postgraduate Sustainability

Sustainability is an extremely relevant and versatile degree choice, which outlines the way we can mitigate our impact on the environment by adopting regenerative and sustainable practices to support ecological and economic health. It is a future-focussed field and studying it at PhD level offers a highly interdisciplinary learning experience with the option to specialise in a huge variety of professional environments.

To gain admission onto one of the 25 UK-based PhD degree programmes, you’ll first need to hold a strong postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area, and typically will need to demonstrate a significant amount of professional experience. Additionally, a clear research project proposal is usually required as part of the application process, and this will determine the work you do for a large part of your studies.

What to expect

You can expect to engage in advanced training in research methodologies, critical analysis, and the development of solutions for sustainable practices. You will study the environmental and human impact of mass industry and energy systems; the effect of sustainable practices of different types of communities; the life cycle of products and the technologies which can be integrated into our lives to find a more sustainable way of living.

As a doctoral candidate, you’ll conduct original research, contributing new insights to the field. The programme serves as excellent preparation for careers in academia, research institutions, policy development or leadership roles in organisations dedicated to advancing sustainability goals. Graduates are currently in high demand, and this demand is likely to only increase in the future as sustainability is one of the fastest-growing global employment sectors.

Related subjects:

• PhD Sustainability
• PhD Conservation and Protection of Specific Environments
• PhD Energy Economics, Management and Conservation
• PhD Environmental Analysis
• PhD Environmental Biology
• PhD Environmental Conservation and Policies
• PhD Environmental Health and Safety, Protection and Conservation
• PhD Environmental Management
• PhD Environmental Monitoring
• PhD Environmental Policy
• PhD Environmental Protection and Conservation
• PhD Environmental Science
• PhD Environmental Studies
• PhD Forensic Science
• PhD General Environmental Health
• PhD Marine and Coastal Conservation and Protection
• PhD Nature Conservation and Protection
• PhD Police Services
• PhD Pollution and Pollution Control
• PhD Renewable Energy Resources
• PhD Security, Police and the Armed Forces
• PhD Wildlife Conservation and Protection

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

Sustainable Heritage MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london).

Research is at the core of ISH. Through it, we've successfully put sustainable heritage on the map of museums, galleries, libraries, Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,930 per year (UK)

PhD Sustainable Futures

University of bath.

Explore environmental change and the diverse responses needed to foster behaviours, practices and policies which promote Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,800 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,400 per year (UK)

MPhil PhD Sustainability, Development, and the Environment

University of east london.

Studying for a PhD with UEL's Sustainability Research Institute will push you to new levels of innovation - and our world-class academic Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,020 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £3,010 per year (UK)

Environmental Sustainability PhD

University of glasgow.

Based at Dumfries Campus, our staff are experts in many areas of environmental sustainability, including sustainable tourism, environmental Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Chemistry PhD/MPhil - Sustainable Synthesis and Catalysis

University of leicester.

The School of Chemistry offers supervision for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time Master of Philosophy Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Sustainable Hydrogen CDT PhD

University of nottingham.

Sustainable Hydrogen provides low-carbon solutions as an energy store, supporting the rapid deployment of renewable energy generation, and Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)

Environment and Sustainability PhD

University of surrey.

Why choose this programme The University of Surrey has been leading the way in environment and sustainability research for more than 25 Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Resource Efficient Future Cities PhD

Brunel university london.

Research profile The Resource Efficient Future Cities has current strengths in two streams of research energy use efficiency focuses on Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,355 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD (Sustainable Environment)

University of south wales.

A PhD is a doctoral degree based on a significant and original individual research project which culminates in an in-depth thesis (or Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,716 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,358 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD in Strategy, Enterprise and Sustainability

Manchester metropolitan university.

RESEARCH CULTURE We undertake innovative research that is rooted in industry, driven by the global environment and reflective of evolving Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,850 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree

Sustainable Resources MPhil/PhD

Faced with a growing global population and increased demand and competition for natural resources our mission is to generate knowledge in Read more...

Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability PhD

Why choose this programme The University of Surrey has been leading the way in environment and sustainability research for more than 30 Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree
• 72 months Part time degree

PhD (Sustainable Environment)

Sustainable energy phd.

Why choose this programme Champion our ‘One Health, One Medicine’ approach which brings together expertise from a broad range of Read more...

PhD Sustainable Energy Technologies

University of hertfordshire.

Our research expertise in Renewable Energy Technologies specialises in areas including renewable energy, smart grids, novel wind energy Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,925 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,960 per year (UK)

University of Exeter

Successfully completing an MPhil or PhD entails undertaking an in-depth study of a particular topic and making an original contribution to Read more...

• 8 years Part time degree: £2,485 per year (UK)

PhD Sustainable Industrial Systems

University of manchester.

Programme description The main aim of our research is to help identify sustainable solutions for industrial systems on a life cycle basis, Read more...

DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development

University of oxford.

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Sustainable Urban Development is a part-time doctoral programme that provides outstanding students an Read more...

• 4 years Part time degree: £14,535 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD in Global Sustainable Development

University of warwick.

Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Global Sustainable Development. Our MPhil/PhD in Global Sustainable Development (GSD) offers you the Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,950 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree

Sustainable Futures PhD

University of bristol.

The interdisciplinary pathway in sustainable futures seeks to produce a new generation of researchers who can address the pressing social Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,758 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £2,379 per year (UK)

1-20 of 26 courses

Course type:

• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Universities:.

• University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education
• University of Suffolk
• University of St Andrews
• Keele University
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Abertay University

Related Subjects:

Virtual Tour

Experience University of Idaho with a virtual tour. Explore now

• Discover a Career
• Find a Major
• Experience U of I Life

More Resources

• Admitted Students
• International Students

Take Action

• Find Financial Aid
• View Deadlines
• Find Your Rep

Helping to ensure U of I is a safe and engaging place for students to learn and be successful. Read about Title IX.

Get Involved

• Clubs & Volunteer Opportunities
• Recreation and Wellbeing
• Student Government
• Student Sustainability Cooperative
• Academic Assistance
• Safety & Security
• Career Services
• Health & Wellness Services
• Register for Classes
• Dates & Deadlines
• Financial Aid
• Sustainable Solutions
• U of I Library

• Upcoming Events

Review the events calendar.

Stay Connected

• Vandal Family Newsletter
• Here We Have Idaho Magazine
• Living on Campus
• Campus Safety
• About Moscow

The largest Vandal Family reunion of the year. Check dates.

Benefits and Services

• Vandal Voyagers Program
• Vandal License Plate
• Submit Class Notes
• Make a Gift
• View Events
• Alumni Chapters
• University Magazine
• Alumni Newsletter

U of I's web-based retention and advising tool provides an efficient way to guide and support students on their road to graduation. Login to VandalStar.

Common Tools

• Administrative Procedures Manual (APM)
• Class Schedule
• OIT Tech Support
• Academic Dates & Deadlines
• U of I Retirees Association
• Faculty Senate
• Staff Council

Environmental Science Program

Physical Address: 975 W. 6th Street Moscow, Idaho

Mailing Address: 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1139 Moscow, ID 83844-1139

Phone: 208-885-6113

Email: [email protected]

Web: College of Natural Resources

Graduate Programs

M.s. environmental science.

Research the effects of natural and unnatural processes, and of interactions of the physical components of the planet on the environment. Non-thesis and thesis options are available.

Joint Master of Science in Environmental Science & J.D.

An opportunity to combine the study of scientific, social, philosophical and legal aspects of environmental issues.

Ph.D. Environmental Science

Address complex environmental challenges using interdisciplinary approaches. Among the most prestigious Environmental Ph.D. programs in the nation.

The University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources offers numerous graduate degrees both on campus and online. Benefiting from the expertise of over 60 faculty members, you have the opportunity to focus your research in a specific area of interest or career goal.

You can learn more about the various graduate programs CNR has to offer by visiting CNR’s  Graduate Studies Office website .

Visit our Internship & Project Opportunities page for Internship Projects (INT), Undergraduate Senior Thesis Research (U.G. Thesis), ENVS 599 Projects (599), M.S. Thesis Research Projects (M.S. Thesis), and Doctoral Research Projects (Ph.D.).

The Environmental Science Program offers numerous graduate courses which cover a breadth of subject areas. Below are some of the courses you would have the opportunity to take:

• ENVS 509 Principles of Environmental Toxicology Fundamental toxicological concepts including dose-response relationships, absorption of toxicants, distribution and storage of toxicants, biotransformation and elimination of toxicants, target organ toxicity and teratogenesis, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis; chemodynamics of environmental contaminants including transport, fate, and receptors; chemicals of environmental interest and how they are tested and regulated; risk assessment fundamentals.
• ENVS 515 Environmental Lifecycle Assessment Environmental life cycle assessment is the study of the environmental impacts resulting from the human production of goods and services from raw material acquisition through ultimate disposition. The class covers the basic concepts of life cycle assessment including definition of system boundaries, inventory of energy and material inputs and resultant emissions, assessment of impacts on human health and the environment, and interpretation of results. Recommended preparation: basic physical and biological sciences and familiarity with spreadsheet programs such as Excel. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit.
• ENVS 536 Principles of Sustainability Presented as online doculectures, covering topics such as: Origins of Sustainability, Standards of Sustainability, Culture of Waste, Built Environment, Industrial Sustainability, Energy Sustainability, Water Resources, Measuring Sustainability, Sustainable Impact Assessment, and Our Sustainable Future. Readings and homework are assigned with each topic. Learning assessment will be from homework, exams and written papers
• ENVS 541 Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Contaminants Covers the sampling and analysis of environmental contaminants from a statistical perspective. Includes designing sampling plans for environmental studies, statistically analyzing environmental data, and touches on more advanced techniques such as time series analysis and censored data.
• ENVS 544 Water Quality in the Pacific Northwest Qualitative aspects of water are covered in this class. Major topics are qualitative aspects of (1): surface water, (2) groundwater, (3) drinking water, (4) water in the oceans, and (5) the human waste stream. Concepts presented are relevant to world-wide water quality issues and concepts; however, an emphasis is placed on issues within the four Pacific Northwest states (ID, AK, OR, WA).
• ENVS 548 Drinking Water and Human Health Understand the characterization, testing, and treatment of chemical, microbial and hazardous compounds and their impact on human health. Be familiar with drinking water standards, regulatory aspects and protection of municipal, community, and private well systems.
• ENVS 552 Environmental Philosophy Philosophical examination of various ethical, metaphysical, and legal issues concerning humans, nature, and the environment; issues covered may include biodiversity and species protection, animal rights, radical ecology, environmental racism, wilderness theory, population control, and property rights.
• ENVS 577 Law, Ethics and the Environment Examines the laws and related ethical questions pertaining to agricultural and natural resource issues. Graduate credit includes special projects and additional discussion meetings.
• ENVS 579 Introduction to Environmental Regulations Interpretation and implementation of local, state, and federal environmental rules; introduction to environmental regulatory process; topics include regulatory aspects of environmental impact assessment, water pollution control, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste, resource recovery and reuse, toxic substances, pesticides, occupational safety and health, radiation, facility siting, environmental auditing and liability.
• ENVS 582 Natural Resource Policy and Law Offered only at the University of Idaho at Idaho Falls. Examination of U.S. natural resource policy and law including historical contexts and current policies and laws. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

2024-2025 Catalog

Doctoral degrees.

The University of Idaho awards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of high achievement in scholarly and research activity. The degree of Doctor of Education is granted for high scholarly attainment and in recognition of the completion of academic preparation for professional practice. See the "Ph.D. and Ed.D. Procedures" tab for more details. The Doctor of Athletic Training is offered through the College of Education and the Department of Movement Sciences (see the "DAT Procedures" tab for more details).

The major professor and program offering a particular doctoral program indicate the general philosophy of the degree program, the objectives of courses and seminars, the research specialties available, and requirements unique to the department. Admission to the doctoral program is granted only to those who have a recognized potential for completing the degree.

Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

Credit requirements.

For the Ph.D. and Ed.D., a minimum of 78 credits beyond the bachelor's degree is required.; At least 52 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 33 of the 78 credits must be in courses other than 600 (Doctoral Research and Dissertation). A maximum of 45 research credits in 600 (Doctoral Research and Dissertation) including 6 credits of 599 (Non-thesis Research) or 500 (Master's Research and Thesis) may be in the 45 research credits used toward the degree. For the D.A.T., a minimum of 66 credits is required and follows a prescribed set of courses set by the program.

Courses numbered below 300 may not be used to fulfill the requirements for a doctoral degree; courses numbered 300-399 may be used only in supporting areas and are not to be used to make up deficiencies. Individual programs may require additional course work. Applicants having a doctoral degree may obtain a second doctoral degree subject to the approval of the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council will establish the requirements for the second degree.

Credit Limitations for Transfer, Correspondence Study, and Non-degree

For the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, a student must complete at least 39 of the 78 required credits at the University of Idaho (U of I) while matriculated in the College of Graduate Studies. Credits can be transferred to U of I with the consent of the student's major professor, the committee (if required by the program), the program's administrator, and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Credits can be transferred only if the institution from which the credits are being transferred has a graduate program in the course's discipline. All credits used toward graduate degrees must be from regionally accredited American institutions or from non-US institutions recognized by the appropriate authorities in their respective countries. Transfer credits are subject to all other College of Graduate Studies rules and regulations. Correspondence study courses may be applied to the degree only with the prior written approval of the College of Graduate Studies. Courses used toward an undergraduate degree, professional development courses, and courses on a professional development transcript are not available to be used toward a doctoral degree.

Time Limits

Of the credits submitted to satisfy the requirements for a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree, a maximum of 30 may be more than eight years old when the degree is conferred, provided the student's committee and program administrator determine that the student has kept current in the subjects concerned. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their preliminary or general examination. These time limitations can be extended only on recommendation of the committee and approval by the Graduate Council.

Awarding Doctoral Degrees to Members of the Faculty

Regulations are outlined in Section 4920 of the Faculty-Staff Handbook.

Particular Requirements for the Ed.D. Degree

A period of professional practice is required for the Doctor of Education degree; the period involved is determined by the student's supervisory committee. While the Ed.D. is a College of Education degree, you should consult with the departments in the College of Education to learn of specific emphasis requirements.

Procedures for Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education Degrees

Appointment of major professor and committee.

Refer to " Appointment of Major Professor and Committee for All Degree Seeking Graduate Students " in the preceding General Graduate Regulations section. In addition, a doctoral supervisory committee consists of at least four people: the major professor as chair and at least one additional UI faculty member from the program, the balance of the committee may be made up of faculty members from a minor or supporting area, and faculty members from a discipline outside the major. If the committee has a co-chair, the minimum number of committee members is five.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is a program option and serves to assess the background of the student in both the major and supporting fields and to provide partially the basis for preparation of the student's study program. A particular program may or may not require a master's degree as a prerequisite for the qualifying evaluation. As soon as the program's qualifications are met, a supervisory committee is appointed.

Preparation of Study Plan

Refer to " Preparation and Submission of Study Plan " in the preceding General Graduate Regulations section.

Preliminary Examination for Ph.D. Degree

The preliminary examination should be scheduled only after the student has completed the majority of the courses on their study plan. The student is required to be registered during the semester the preliminary examination is taken. The student's committee certifies to the College of Graduate Studies the results of the preliminary examination and if passed, the student is advanced to candidacy. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their examination. If the preliminary examination is failed, it may be repeated only once; the repeat examination must be taken within a period of not less than three months or more than one year following the first attempt. If a student fails the preliminary examination a second time, or the program does not allow the student to repeat the examination after the first failure or the student does not retake the examination within one year, the student is automatically moved to unclassified enrollment status and is no longer in the degree program.

General Examination for Ed.D . Degree

When the student approaches the end of their course work, has completed the professional experience requirement, and has outlined the dissertation subject in detail, the supervisory committee approves the holding of the general examination. The student is required to be registered during the semester the general examination is taken. The examination is both written and oral and is intended to assess progress toward degree objectives. The student's committee certifies to the College of Graduate Studies the results of the general examination and if passed, the student is advanced to candidacy. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their examination. If the general examination is failed, it may be repeated only once; the repeat examination must be taken within a period of not less than three months or more than one year following the first attempt. If a student fails the general examination a second time, or the program does not allow the student to repeat the examination after the first failure or the student does not retake the examination within one year, the student is automatically moved to unclassified status and is no longer in the degree program.

See the General Graduate Regulations section regarding application for advanced degree, registration requirements, final defense and dissertation requirements.

Procedures for Doctor of Athletic Training

The culminating clinical project.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.) will engage in research projects during the curricular phase of the program. These project(s) will lead to at least two publication ready manuscripts, and all students must meet professional authorship requirements (regardless of order). See the  Department of Movement Sciences and Doctor of Athletic Training webpages for more information.

The Team (Committee)

All D.A.T. project team committees will have at least four committee members: two members of the athletic training faculty (all with graduate faculty status), the student's attending clinician (who is the student's on-site mentor during the student's residency), and an expert in the student's chosen area of clinical research. The athletic training faculty members will always chair the CCP, provide research guidance, and serve as the experts in the development of advanced practice in Athletic Training. A situation may arise in which one or both of the members of the committee that are outside of the AT program faculty may have a degree less than that of which the student is seeking; however, the intent of the third and fourth D.A.T. committee membership is to provide outside validation of the student's progress toward advanced practice and clinical utility of action research studies.

Culminating Clinical Project Hours

These dissertation hours may be used in instances when the CCP has not been successfully completed and the curricular phase of program has been completed.

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

RIT graduate pursues Ph.D. across time zones

Nastaran Nagshineh, center, defended her Ph.D. thesis at RIT in April. Faculty from RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses served on her thesis committee and include, from left to right, Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard, Steven Weinstein, Nathaniel Barlow, and David Kofke (a professor at the University at Buffalo). Mohamed Samaha participated remotely and appears on the video screen behind the group and alongside Nagshineh’s picture.

Nastaran Nagshineh is one of the first Ph.D. candidates to bridge RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses. Her accomplishment creates a path for future students at the university’s international campuses.

Nagshineh completed her Ph.D. in mathematical modeling while working full time as a mathematics lecturer at RIT Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, teaching as many as five classes a semester. She described her Ph.D. journey as “an exercise in perseverance” due to competing demands and long days. Rochester is eight hours behind Dubai, and the time difference meant many late-night classes and meetings.

“I saw this collaboration as an opportunity, rather than as a challenge, because my primary adviser, Dr. Steven Weinstein (RIT professor of chemical engineering), and my co-adviser, Dr. Mohamed Samaha (RIT Dubai associate professor of mechanical engineering), both have the same area of research interest,” she said. “They both worked toward my success.”

Nagshineh is one of 67 RIT Ph.D. students who defended their thesis this academic year and who will earn their doctorate. RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023.

In 2020-2021, RIT’s Graduate School met and surpassed the university’s goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski , dean of RIT’s Graduate School.

Meeting these goals puts RIT on a path toward achieving an “R1,” or research-intensive designation, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT is currently ranked as an R2 institution . Many factors go into changing a university’s status, including research investment and maintaining a three-year average of 70 Ph.D. degrees awarded per year, according to Slusarski.

“We have met the goals of the strategic plan, and now we look forward to contributing to the research innovation in the future,” Slusarski said. “We want to help the new programs thrive and win national research awards.”

RIT’s emphasis on high-level research is seen in Nagshineh’s Ph.D. work. She applies mathematical modeling to the field of fluid dynamics. Her research has been published in top-tier journals and has gained notice, said Weinstein, her thesis adviser.

Weinstein describes Nagshineh’s accomplishments as “a testament to a fantastic work ethic and commitment” and is inspirational to younger students at Rochester and Dubai.

“The collaboration between RIT Dubai/Rochester has continued,” he said. “Another paper was submitted a few weeks ago with Mohamed Samaha and Nate Barlow (RIT associate professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics) as co-authors, as well as Cade Reinberger, a younger Ph.D. student in my research group.”

Mathematical modeling is one of RIT’s newer Ph.D. degree programs, and Nagshineh is among its earliest graduates. The program has doubled in size since it began accepting students in 2017, Slusarski said. This past fall, the mathematical modeling program had 35 students, with two graduating this year.

Altogether, RIT has 13 Ph.D. degree programs currently enrolling 438 students, with computing and information sciences accounting for the largest with 117 students. RIT’s other Ph.D. programs include astrophysical sciences and technology , biomedical and chemical engineering , business administration , color science , electrical and computer engineering, imaging science , mechanical and industrial engineering , microsystems engineering , and sustainability .

New programs in cognitive science and physics will launch in the fall.

The growth in RIT graduate education—with more than 3,000 master’s and doctoral students—reflects a demographic change in the student population, Slusarski said. “We have a higher percentage of women in the graduate programs than we have for RIT undergraduate programs.”

RIT’s graduate programs enroll 42 percent women, according to Christie Leone , assistant dean for the Graduate School.

Nagshineh, who also holds an MS in electrical engineering from RIT Dubai, welcomes her role as a mentor to other women students on both campuses.

“As a young woman in an Arabic country, the power of women is often underestimated and undervalued, and I hope to serve as a role model to female students, especially those that question their path,” Nagshineh said.

She plans to continue in her career as a professor and a researcher. “I would like to pursue a research program where I can advise my own students and teach them more deeply.”

Recommended News

May 21, 2024

RIT men’s lacrosse punches ticket to national title game   

WROC-TV highlights the RIT men's lacrosse team's road to the national title.

WXXI Business Report: RIT video game now available for the Nintendo Switch   

WXXI discusses the Nintendo Switch release of RIT's student-faculty developed video game ‘That Damn Goat’.

May 20, 2024

RIT research examines spread and flow of soil contaminants

Understanding how contaminants in porous materials flow and are transported is key in the fields of industry, medicine, and environmental science. A two person team in the School of Physics and Astronomy recently had their research on the topic published and featured on the cover of Soft Matter , a journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Anne Zachmeyer bids farewell to RIT after 37 years

Anne Zachmeyer, who is retiring in June after recently marking 37 years at the university, began her RIT career downtown in the former School of Applied Industrial Studies, then part of the College of Continuing Education (CCE).

Three new sustainability catalyst grants will support novel research projects beginning this summer to address vexing sustainability challenges. Each project is designed to identify, engage, and respond to the needs of external partners who are positioned to apply the project's outputs in real-world decision-making and practice.

The new projects, which received $10,000 each, include “ Plast-ick ,” which leverages AI and satellite data to predict pollutants like PFAS in water bodies. This project aims to reduce the labor involved in tracking pollution and ensure vital information reaches affected communities through collaboration with the Environmental Working Group.

Another project, “ Catching the Waves ,” focuses on deploying wave energy converters to power remote coastal communities, starting with Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. This project aims to provide clean, reliable energy and reduce dependence on diesel generators.

The third project, " Mussel Roads ," uses biomimicry to enhance asphalt durability by developing materials inspired by mussel-binding proteins. This project aims to create more resilient roads, reduce repair-related waste and energy consumption, and improve road safety.

“As longtime Michiganders, we recognize the critical need to improve the weatherability of asphalt pavement,” said Jinsang Kim, professor and director of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, professor of Materials Science & Engineering, and principal investigator of Mussel Roads. “Through this catalyst grant, we aim to achieve laboratory-scale research outcomes showing that our bio-inspired adhesion promoter will lead to more resilient roads.”

The catalyst grant program, which is offered by the Graham Sustainability Institute, has supported over 40 projects since its inception in 2017.

“These projects exemplify the innovative and collaborative spirit we strive to foster through Graham’s sustainability catalyst grants,” said Jennifer Haverkamp, Graham Family Director. “Each project addresses a unique challenge with the potential for significant impact, from enhancing road durability and safety to harnessing renewable energy and mitigating environmental pollution.”

To learn more about the new projects, read on and visit the project web pages linked below.

Harnessing AI to Predict Environmental Pollution Exposure

PFAS foam in Van Etten Lake, Oscoda, MI | Photo by Michigan EGLE on Flickr

Pollutants such as PFAS and pesticides pose significant threats to both the environment and human health. This research team aims to develop innovative solutions to reduce the labor required to identify and track pollutant hotspots in collaboration with Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading public interest organization at the forefront of mapping and communicating contamination issues that impact public health.

The project will utilize advanced AI algorithms and satellite data to predict pollutant presence in water bodies. By integrating AI techniques with hydrological models, the team hopes to improve prediction accuracy and gain insights into the sources of contamination, with a particular focus on PFAS.

The project is expected to yield a proof-of-concept AI model, a list of research questions for future exploration, and advancements in AI, remote sensing, and sustainability research.

Project team: Elizabeth Bondi-Kelly, PI (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science); David Andrews (Environmental Working Group); Kaley Beins (Environmental Working Group); Aradhna Krishna (Ross School of Business)

Catching the Waves

Empowering beaver island with clean, local energy.

Harbor Light, Beaver Island, MI | Photo by James Hatcher on Flickr

With an energy density more than ten times that of wind energy, marine wave energy is a promising solution for sustainable power generation. Although prototypes have been deployed worldwide, demonstration of grid-connected wave energy converters (WECs) is still lacking. To bridge this gap, this project team will conduct a feasibility study on powering remote and underserved coastal communities using cutting-edge wave energy research.

Beaver Island in Lake Michigan is home to approximately 600 permanent residents who depend on fragile power connections and diesel generators. Over the past year, the research team has engaged with Beaver Island residents, who will serve as the demonstrative end-users for this project. The project is designed to be highly transferable, with the potential to benefit thousands of islands across the U.S. facing similar energy challenges.

The catalyst grant will support a crucial aspect of the project: identifying the optimal location to deploy a WEC on Beaver Island. Potential sites will be assessed on wave energy resources, environmental sustainability, and community preferences. Finding just the right location for the WEC will represent a significant step toward empowering the Beaver Island community with clean and reliable energy, and will position the team favorably for follow-on funding.

Project team: Xiaofan Li, PI (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering); Gail Gruenwald (Beaver Island Association); Ayumi Fujisaki-Manome (Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research/Climate & Space Sciences and Engineering); Lei Zuo (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering)

Mussel Roads

Using biomimicry to engineer asphalt durability.

Roads in cold climates and coastal regions face constant threats from harsh weather conditions, leading to rapid deterioration and posing safety risks to motorists. This project aims to strengthen asphalt roads, reducing the need for repairs and lessening their impact on the environment, economy, and society.

Drawing inspiration from mussel-binding proteins, the research team will develop specialized materials to enhance the bond between asphalt binders and aggregates. The team will investigate how these materials function at a molecular level, conduct practical strength tests, and collaborate closely with a road expert to ensure their practical utility. The ultimate objective is to create more durable asphalt, thereby minimizing issues like potholes and cracks. Increasing road resiliency will reduce waste and energy consumption associated with repairs, as well as pollution from asphalt processing. Prolonging the lifespan of roads will also save money and enable funds to be allocated to other essential projects.

The research team hopes that by enhancing road safety and reducing traffic congestion, more durable roads will contribute to improved quality of life for communities, alleviating stress on commuters and travelers.

Project team: Jinsang Kim, PI (Materials Science and Engineering); Zhan Chen (Chemistry); Zhanping You (Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Technological University)

The catalyst grant program at the Graham Sustainability Institute is administered by Maggie Allan ( [email protected] ). Visit graham.umich.edu/catalyst to learn more about the program.

Master of Global Business Administration Degree Jobs Shaping the Future of Sustainability

Countries worldwide are ramping up efforts to meet the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Through a division of its Department of Economics and Social Affairs, the UN provides support and capacity-building to develop sustainable water, energy, transportation, dwellings, and urban and commercial development worldwide. The organization spotlights these efforts annually at its High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development .  

The transition to a greener economy is driving green skills growth across all industries; employers increasingly seek workers with sustainability expertise. Job ads with “sustainability” in the title increased tenfold over the last decade, according to the World Economic Forum. Data from the LinkedIn 2023 Global Green Skills Report shows that job postings requiring at least one green skill grew by more than 22 percent between 2022 and 2023.  

As organizations zero in on sustainability, they demand more from leaders , who must increasingly incorporate sustainable business practices into their strategic business goals. Success in this dynamic business environment requires current and aspiring leaders to have a global perspective and sustainability expertise. 

You can develop both by earning a master’s in international business, like the online Master of Global Business Administration (GBA) from Tufts University . Continue reading to discover how a Tufts GBA can help you meet the requirements of an ever-changing global economy and prepare you to lead organizations toward sustainability.  

Develop Your Leadership Skills and a Global Perspective

Earn an online gba at tufts, sectors to watch: where you can go with a global business master’s.

Accelerating green transformation requires cooperation among stakeholders in the public and private sectors. However, some industries—such as energy production, transportation, and finance—play a more pivotal role in meeting global sustainability targets. If you are passionate about sustainability and want to help lead organizations to a greener future, read on to learn about the jobs you can pursue with a global MBA or Master of Global Business Administration. 

Sustainability Jobs in Finance 

The global economic transformation to combat climate change demands significant investment in new infrastructure and innovations, like solar power facilities and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Mitigating the economic impact of natural disasters like flooding and wildfires caused by climate change will require new financial mechanisms. The financial sector will be vital in helping the world reach sustainability goals. 

According to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2023 , finance ranks high among industries with the fastest growth in green hiring, with a 17 percent increase from 2021 to 2022. Online global business programs like the Tufts GBA can help prepare you for various finance leadership roles focusing on sustainability. Examples include managing investment director of sustainable investing, vice president of sustainable finance, sustainability risk manager, and energy and sustainability financial analyst.  

Sustainability Jobs in Transportation 

The transportation sector contributes a quarter of all energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions . The EV industry is gaining momentum as countries seek to reduce transport-related pollution. According to the International Energy Agency, global sales of EVs doubled between 2020 and 2021, with electric car sales rising to nearly 10 percent of global car sales. Accordingly, the transportation industry is increasingly hiring workers with EV-related green skills. 

However, transitioning to EVs alone is insufficient to curb transportation-related GHG emissions sufficiently. The LinkedIn report shows a successful approach to mitigating transportation’s contribution to climate change must also include increasing the use of public transit and reducing solo car trips. 

The transportation industry needs sustainability-focused leaders and policymakers to drive these changes. As a GBA graduate, you can apply for various sustainability-focused jobs in the transportation industry, such as transportation planner, climate and sustainability manager, and sustainability officer. 

Sustainability Jobs in Energy Production 

The energy production landscape is evolving rapidly as countries and corporations transition to cleaner energy sources to meet emissions reduction targets. According to the LinkedIn report, employment in the renewable energy industry is growing worldwide; its US hiring rate has consistently surpassed the hiring rate for US oil and gas since March 2020. 

The demand for green skills exceeds renewable energy providers. LinkedIn data show renewable energy, solar energy, and power distribution among the top five skills all US utility workers added in 2022. International business degree graduates in the energy production industry can contribute to sustainability by pursuing jobs like renewable energy director, sustainability director, or renewable energy project manager.

Sustainability Skills: How a Master of International Business Prepares You for a Green Future 

Business leaders need a specific skill set to guide and implement initiatives that help companies and countries achieve sustainability goals. Sought-after skills include:

• Strategy and innovation: Business leaders must incorporate sustainability into their business strategies and actively promote innovation and the development of sustainable technologies
• Diplomacy: Business leaders must collaborate with other leaders to promote international cooperation on sustainability issues
• Communication: Sustainability leaders must clearly communicate the impact of their initiatives to secure buy-in from employees and other stakeholders

Enrolling in an online global business program like the Tufts University GBA can help you acquire the skills needed to pursue sustainability-focused leadership positions.  

Tufts GBA: Sustainability-Related Courses & Experiences

The Tufts online GBA program offers a broad range of courses to help you prepare for a career in sustainability. International Strategy and Innovation can help you develop effective business approaches in complex environments, while Negotiating Leadership teaches how to collaborate with others. Sustainable Business Dynamics covers the roots and implications of climate change and resource scarcity, providing the necessary context to lead progressive, sustainable twenty-first-century organizations. 

Tufts GBA students also participate in an international immersion where they delve into a particular area’s business and geopolitical environments. This experience can be invaluable to future sustainability leaders as it can help them understand the dynamics and impact of sustainability initiatives in different regions. 

Next Steps: Apply to Tufts Online Business

For aspiring business leaders passionate about sustainability, a master’s degree can provide the knowledge and skills needed to reach your goals. Tufts University’s online Master of Global Business Administration prepares students to mitigate global business challenges and lead organizations toward success. 

Ready to take the next step? Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the admissions process , or start your application now.

Enhance Your Career with International Business Skills

Take your global business career to the next level.

Request Information

Skip to Content

Current Students

Interested in more? Search Courses

• Search Input Submit Search

A Dreamer and a Doer  

Nika anschuetz.

[email protected]

303-871-2711

GSSW grad Claudine Migisha learns, grows and leaves a legacy of healing and hope. 

Claudine Migisha is on a mission to change the world. Since she was a young girl, she’s been a vocal advocate for peace—and she’s showing no sign of slowing down. A dreamer, poet and advocate, Migisha longs to create lasting change, transforming the lives of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

“The more you dream and the more you follow your passion, the more things happen,” Migisha says. 

Soon, Migisha will fulfill one of her most cherished dreams: obtaining a master’s in social work from DU’s Graduate School of Social Work.  

Migisha, who grew up in a village in the eastern part of DRC, came to DU to network with likeminded leaders and cultivate skills to create lasting change in her native country.  

“While I’m still here, with knowledge and knowing what it looks like back home, I can be a bridge between people and other places,” she says. 

At just six years old, Migisha lost her parents to the ongoing civil war—a harrowing reality that ignited her passion for peace-building. She became a poet, writing and reading poems, begging for leaders to listen.  

“Women are crying for peace. Children are crying for peace. So much blood is painting our lungs,” she wrote. 

In high school, she continued to push for change within the school system, advocating for equality. That advocacy propelled her to college. With the help of a Master Card Foundation scholarship, Migisha attended Africa University in Zimbabwe, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.  

In 2019, Migisha founded Nguvu Ya Africa ( Power of Africa). The nonprofit is dedicated to empowering women to be changemakers, delivering sustainable peace and development in the DRC. Through microgrants, the organization helps Congolese women grow their businesses, as well as teaches them practical skills like sewing.  

Nguvu Ya Africa also uses educational arts initiatives—dance, theater and poetry—to advocate for peace. For many of the young people in the program, it can be a healing experience.  

“It involves movement, helping people heal from their traumas using body expression,” Migisha says.  

A few years after launching the nonprofit, she decided to pursue her education in the United States. Before attending DU, Migisha was a dreamer without perspective. Over the years, by engaging in robust discussions, she’s learned from other perspectives, which has enhanced her ability to write and structure grant proposals.  

And it’s working. This year, Migisha received $20,000 in grant funding through the Master Card Foundation for her nonprofit.  

“We kept being rejected since 2019,” she says. “It wasn’t until I met these professors that I was able to restructure my thoughts and ideas…It’s not about Claudine. It’s about the community we serve.” 

In addition to her work with Nguvu Ya Africa, Migisha is a youth engagement program intern at Golden Bridge, a Boulder-based nonprofit focused on empowering people and communities through somatic, dance-based processes. There, she participates in the SomaSource leadership training program, a path designed for emerging leaders.  

As Migisha prepares to embark on her next chapter, one thing is clear: Her impact will be felt beyond the boundaries of DU, leaving a legacy of empowerment and social change for generations to come. 

“I always say I’m from grass to grace. I am a product of so much generosity.  I feel called to replicate the same,” Migisha says. “At the end of the day, I am here. My dream came true. If I die, I will go to heaven. I was able to go to the best school in the United States.,”