The Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability at the University of Utah is a collaborative, interdisciplinary program grounding students in science, society and policy in order to effectively address global change and sustainability challenges.
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The Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability program will train students to think and act across disciplinary boundaries. This transdisciplinary literacy will enhance graduate education by building on disciplinary expertise. Students will be provided opportunities to develop their capacities as transformational change agents within their communities and institutions. This program is a collaboration between the Graduate School, Sustainability Office, and the Global Change and Sustainability Center.
For more information, see the FAQ below or contact Karren Fultz at karren.fultz@utah.edu or 801-587-9036.
- Applications for Spring semester are due no later than October 30.
- Applications for Fall semester are due no later than April 1.
Who can enroll in the Certificate program?
- Any student enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Utah
- Non-degree-seeking students with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
Application and Admission Process
- University of Utah students should apply for the Certificate program as soon as they decide to pursue it, and must apply to the program prior to the semester of graduation via the online application. (Matriculated, Non-matriculated)
- Applications will be reviewed twice each year.
- Applications for Spring semester are due no later than October 30.
- Applications for Fall semester are due no later than April 1.
- Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed in the following application cycle.
- Required for non-matriculated students: (1) confirmation of admission status as non-degree seeking student at the University of Utah, (2) transcripts confirming bachelors degree and GPA.
- For non-matriculated students, U of U admission dates are different from general admission dates. Please see the Admissions website for current information.
Curriculum Requirements
(16 credit hours total)
2 core courses (4 credits)
- Global Change & Sustainability Seminar (1 credit, Fall and Spring, SUST 6800; course may be repeated)
- Global Changes and Society (3 credits, offered each Spring, SUST 6000)
4 elective courses (12 credits)
To complete the electives, students may choose from courses with the “sustainability” course attribute as follows:
- At least two of the four electives must have the SUSC (Sustainability – Complete) attribute.
- The other two electives must have either the SUSL (Sustainability – Limited) or the SUSC attribute.
Find courses with sustainability course attributes by selecting SUSC or SUSL on the current semester’s other course attributes page.
Of the four electives, no more than two may be within the student’s home department. One may be within the student’s home college but outside of the student’s home department, and one must be from outside of the student’s home college. (Courses taken at the University of Utah prior to official admission to the program may count towards certificate.)
Policies
- Maximum of 4 years for completion
- Courses must be completed with a grade of B or better
- Courses used towards completion of the Certificate may also count towards matriculated graduate student Departmental degree requirements, if applicable
- 9 credits from the Certificate may be applied towards a future graduate degree (applies to non-matriculated students only)
- Non-matriculated students will need a permission code to enroll in graduate courses
Electives
4 elective courses (12 credits)
To complete the electives, students may choose from courses with the “sustainability” course attribute as follows:
- At least two of the four electives must have the SUSC (Sustainability – Complete) attribute.
- The other two electives must have either the SUSL (Sustainability – Limited) or the SUSC attribute.
Find courses with sustainability course attributes by selecting SUSC or SUSL on the current semester’s other course attributes page.
Of the four electives, no more than two may be within the student’s home department. One may be within the student’s home college but outside of the student’s home department, and one must be from outside of the student’s home college. (Courses taken at the University of Utah prior to official admission to the program may count towards certificate.)
(Please see class schedule to see when elective courses are scheduled.)
Instructors: information on requesting the Sustainability course attribute can be found here.
For questions regarding electives, please contact Meghan Dovick at meghan.dovick@utah.edu.
Learning Objectives
Students completing the requirements of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability will be able to:
- Demonstrate both depth in a particular thematic area of expertise and breadth in sustainability literacy and key concepts
- Utilize systems thinking, life cycle analysis, and other concepts and tools to analyze the complex interconnections among social, economic, and environmental systems
- Communicate and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries
- Reflect deeply about the ethical practice of sustainability (e.g., recognize inherent conflicts of interest, trade-offs, and moral dilemmas, and discuss them in a way that shows an ability to weigh the pros and cons of complex sustainability strategies, recognize different stakeholder perspectives, and understand that costs and benefits are not equally distributed).
- Evaluate and implement visions of sustainable practices and values through the translation of knowledge of sustainability into actions for sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am a non-matriculated applicant. How do I obtain a uNID (University ID Number)
A. Once you have applied for admission as a non-matriculated student, you will receive a uNID.
Q. What is the tuition for a non-matriculated student?
A. It depends on the courses in which you enroll. Please go here for general graduate tuition information.
Q. When is the application period?
A. Applications will be accepted throughout the year and reviewed as follows:
- Applications for Spring semester are due no later than October 30.
- Applications for Fall semester are due no later than April 1.
- Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed in the following application cycle.
Q. What semester does the program begin?
A. Students may start the program in fall or spring.
Q. I have already taken a course/courses that serve as Certificate electives. Does that credit apply to the Certificate?
A. Students who have previously taken and passed the GCSC seminar course (BIOL 6964/SUST 6800) or Global Changes and Society (BIOL 7961-002/SUST 6000) course may apply those towards completing the Certificate. Other courses may be approved.
Q. How do I know if a class that I have taken or a class I want to take will count toward the certificate?
A. If the class is not listed with the electives on this page, please request approval of a new elective course by completing this form. Send the form along with a copy of the class syllabus to Karren Fultz.
Q: When will I know if my Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Elective Proposal has been approved?
A: All proposals will be reviewed by the Sustainability Education Committee at their meetings on October 6, 2017 and April 6, 2018. Notifications of course approvals will be sent out via email shortly thereafter.
Q. Where can I find the certificate completion plan form?
A. Click here to download the certificate completion plan form.
Q. I have more questions. Who should I contact?
A. Please contact Karren Fultz at karren.fultz@utah.edu or 801-587-9036