Program Overview

Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Justice

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Justice is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to recognize and address environmental injustices. Through real-world examples and expert instruction, students will study the geographic and social distribution of environmental benefits and harms, the health consequences of pollution, the impacts on cultures and voices, the role of inclusive and democratic participation, and how to restore social and ecological damages.

Program Administration

The Certificate is administered through the Center for Environmental Justice and housed in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability.

Certificate Requirements

Curriculum

• The program requires 11 credits (may be 12 depending on course choices in Group B).
• A required 3-credit seminar course in environmental justice (GES/LB 535).
• 3 credits from Group A.
• A minimum of 5 credits from Group B, with at least one Group B elective course taken from outside the student's home department.

Application and Admission

Eligibility and Application Process

• Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at Colorado State University.
• An official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree is required.
• A $60 CSU Graduate School application fee must be paid.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students may begin courses in the certificate before applying or being accepted to the program.

Program Structure and Delivery

Delivery Mode

The Certificate will be offered on-campus.

Faculty and Research Areas

Advisory Committee and Affiliate Faculty

The program involves a diverse range of faculty members from various departments, including:

• Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Warner College
• Sociology, College of Liberal Arts
• Political Science, College of Liberal Arts
• Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts
• Environmental Health, College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
• Transportation
• Agriculture and Resource Economics, College of Agriculture
• Accounting, College of Business
• Anthropology and Geography, College of Liberal Arts
• Economics, College of Liberal Arts
• Ethnic Studies, College of Liberal Arts
• English, College of Liberal Arts
• History, College of Liberal Arts
• Social Work, College of Health and Human Sciences
• Atmospheric Sciences, Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering, Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering
• Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Warner College of Natural Resources
• Fish and Wildlife Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources
• Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Warner College of Natural Resources

This diverse faculty involvement reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the program, ensuring students are exposed to a wide range of perspectives and expertise in environmental justice.