Program Overview

Certificate in Global Sustainable Development

The Certificate in Global Sustainable Development is a program co-sponsored by the School of Public and International Affairs and the Global Studies Center/UCIS. This certificate aims to provide graduate students with the tools to engage with complex challenges of global sustainable development.

Program Description

Global sustainable development involves the pursuit of a better world for all through the elimination of chronic poverty, discrimination, and injustice, and environmental degradation, in order to ensure a sustainable future of well-being for the earth and its peoples. The program provides theoretical knowledge, interdisciplinary approaches, and practical skills needed to tackle chronic problems and achieve sustainable development goals on issues including poverty, hunger, health, inequality, gender empowerment, the environment, peace and justice, governance, NGO and civil society participation, and global cooperation.

Curriculum

The curriculum provides in-depth theoretical understanding of global sustainable development as well as practical skills to engage with complex challenges targeted through the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, which encompasses the 5 Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. Certificate courses address a wide range of SDG topics including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender inequality, the environment and natural resources, water and sanitation, energy, employment, development planning and management, global inequalities, peace/inclusion/and justice, governance and global partnerships.

Requirements for the Certificate

Students complete 12 credits (6 credits in GSD foundation courses, and 6 credits of approved GSD electives), as well as a Digital Portfolio which can be shared with future employers and graduate schools.

Required Courses

• Students may choose two of the following Foundation Courses:
  • PIA 2501 -- Development Policy & Administration
  • PIA 2510 -- Economics of Development
  • PIA 2448 -- Political Economy of Development

Digital Portfolio

The Digital Portfolio is due the semester of graduation and is created using the Digication platform.

Elective Courses

• From The School of Public and International Affairs:
  • PIA 2115 -- Environmental Economics
  • PIA 2117 -- Program Evaluation
  • PIA 2125 -- City & Region: Theory & Practice
  • PIA 2164 -- Natural Resources Governance
  • PIA 2307 -- Human Security
  • PIA 2310 -- Markets & States
  • PIA 2448 -- Political Economy of Development
  • PIA 2473 -- Strategies of Global Inquiry
  • PIA 2478 -- Asylum Policy & Politics
  • PIA 2496 -- Governing Technology
  • PIA 2501 -- Development Policy & Administration
  • PIA 2502 -- Environmental Policy Local to Global
  • PIA 2507 -- Human Rights & Social Change
  • PIA 2508 -- NGO Advocacy & International Coalitions
  • PIA 2510 -- Economics of Development
  • PIA 2512 -- Poverty & Inequality
  • PIA 2519 -- Comparative Governance
  • PIA 2522 -- Climate Policy Local to Global
  • PIA 2526 -- Micropolitics: NGOs, Civil Society & Development
  • PIA 2529 -- Political Economy Analysis
  • PIA 2531 -- Human Rights & UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • PIA 2551 -- Gender & Development
  • PIA 2552 -- Managing Organizations in Development
  • PIA 2553 -- Global Health Policy
  • PIA 2590 -- Local & Global Food Policy & Sustainability
  • PIA 2715 -- GIS for Public Policy
  • PIA 2740 -- Planning & Analysis for Sustainable Regions
• Up to two approved elective courses may be taken from other Schools within the University:
  • CEE 2610 -- Engineering & Sustainable Development
  • ENG 2007 -- Sustainability Capstone
  • ENG 2905 -- Current Issues in Sustainability
  • PUBHLTH 2025 -- Concepts & Methods in Global Health
  • PUBHLTH 2033 -- Managing the Natural Environment
  • PUBHLTH 2173 -- Transforming Global Health Education into Action
  • BCHS 2524 -- Overview of Health Equity
  • BFIN 2043 -- International Financial Management
  • BSEO 2033 -- Managing the Natural Environment
  • BSEO 2578 -- Sustainable Business Strategy
  • BSPP 2328 -- The Business of Humanity Strategic Management

Additional Requirements

• Minimum of grade of C or higher required for all Certificate courses.
• Certificate courses may not be taken on S/NC basis.
• Students may propose a course for review as an approved elective course.
• Not all elective courses listed are offered every year.