Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability offers an integrated series of post-baccalaureate courses that comprise a multidisciplinary study of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. Students will gain an understanding of the major theories and concepts related to the key dimensions of sustainability, as well as case analysis experience with applications to private and public projects. Students receiving the certificate will complete 6 linked classes totaling a minimum of 22 credits. Courses in the program can be taken by students admitted solely to the certificate program or concurrently enrolled as master's and doctoral students in a degree program at Portland State University.
The certificate is a two-part program that is consistent with the need for a multidisciplinary perspective and a focus on understanding sustainability in practice. The first part of the program is a set of four core courses that provide exposure to the breadth of contemporary sustainability concepts and offers an opportunity for interaction among students with different disciplinary backgrounds. The second part of the program is a set of two elective courses totaling 6-8 credits that allow the student to focus on issues of sustainability in his or her major field of study. The certificate program is administered by the Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices.
