Program Overview

Introduction to the Certificate in Sustainability Studies

The Certificate in Sustainability Studies is an innovative experiential learning model that can be easily embedded in most undergraduate degrees at no cost. This program provides students with the thinking and problem-solving skill set needed for sustainability leadership, research, education, policy, and planning.

Program Overview

The Certificate in Sustainability Studies is based on an innovative experiential learning model. UCalgary is a leader among Canadian universities with this new model for sustainability education. After completing the Certificate in Sustainability Studies, students will be ready to enter into a variety of industries and jobs ranging from climate change adaptation to sustainable community design and sustainable futures planning, to natural and social resource conservation and stewardship, to renewable energy and regenerative food and water systems, product stewardship, municipal and federal planning and policy development, and community-based and environmental monitoring, reporting, and consulting.

Program Requirements

The Sustainability Certificate consists of four required core courses and two sustainability-focused elective courses that are embedded in the chosen degree program. The core courses begin with foundational sustainability principles, practices, challenges, and opportunities in both an historical and contemporary context. Throughout the certificate, students will apply foundational principles to complex social, ecological, and sustainable design problems through research and experiential learning.

Learning Opportunities

Certificate in Sustainability Studies students have the opportunity to hear from a variety of external organizations, sustainability and equity consulting firms, researchers, institutions, not-for-profits, and practitioners throughout the program. Students will engage in applied research projects throughout the core courses both on and off-campus with a variety of stakeholders. These projects allow students to apply their classroom learnings to real sustainability challenges while also working with sustainability practitioners and leaders.

Structure

• SUST 201 and SUST 403 are offered during the fall semesters.
• SUST 401 and SUST 501 will be offered during winter semesters.
• In addition to the four core sustainability courses, students in the Certificate in Sustainability Studies are required to take six units (1.0 full-course equivalents) of elective courses, of which at least three units (0.5 full-course equivalents) must be taken at or above the 300-level.
• These elective courses are intended to provide breadth and disciplinary focus, while the core courses provide cross-disciplinary collaboration and depth in Sustainability Studies.

Elective Courses

• Courses offered span across all UCalgary faculties.
• Please see suggested courses below or inquire about courses currently not on the list.

Explore Electives

• Electives inventory
• Courses offered span across all UCalgary faculties.

The University of Calgary is situated on land Northwest of where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, a site traditionally known as Moh’kins’tsis to the Blackfoot, Wîchîspa to the Stoney Nakoda, and Guts’ists’i to the Tsuut’ina. On this land and in this place, we strive to learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way.”