Program Overview

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Sustainability, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy 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.

Program Description

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 nonacademic audiences alike.

At a Glance

• College/school: College of Global Futures
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

• 86 credit hours
• A written comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation

Required Core

• 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

• SOS 792 Research (12)

Culminating Experience

• 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.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• 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
• 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

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: December 15 (Final)

Global Opportunities

Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit.

Career Opportunities

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.

Career possibilities for program graduates include:

• Chief sustainability officer
• Data analyst
• Environmental scientist
• Geographic information systems coordinator
• Professor
• Program manager or director
• Research scientist
• Sustainability consultant
• Sustainability policy advisor
• Sustainability specialist

STEM-OPT for International Students

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period 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 a degree through ASU Online.