Goals of the Program
Addressing the world’s toughest challenges—from urban development to climate change and eliminating poverty to achieving sustainable globalization—requires unprecedented collaboration and knowledge from every field.
Portland State University’s Graduate Certificate in Sustainability provides students with an in-depth understanding of sustainability and the connections between social, environmental, and economic systems, and equips them with the knowledge to apply sustainable, integrated problem-solving approaches in their lives and careers.
The graduate certificate is open to students from all areas of study and professional backgrounds.
- Current students can add the certificate to their degree and often classes from your degree can double-count for the certificate.
- Professionals and post-baccalaureate students may enroll solely in the certificate.
Graduates of the certificate pursue careers in a broad variety of fields, from engineering and urban planning to teaching, communications, and business.
Certificate Requirements
Students must complete four core courses and seven credits of elective courses:
Core Courses (15 graduate credits):
(See PSU Bulletin Online for course descriptions)
- Economics of Sustainability (ECON 522)
- Environmental Sustainability (ESM 588)
- Sustainable Development Practices (USP 588/688)
- Environmental Sociology (SOC 565)
Elective Courses
Elective courses are offered by various departments across campus, such as urban studies, education, history, public administration, geography, and social work. Currently offered electives are listed on the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Elective Courses webpage. Similar relevant courses may be substituted for the elective course. Please contact the Program Director to request a substitute.
Applying to the Certificate Program
For Current PSU students
Currently enrolled graduate students at PSU can add the certificate to their master’s or doctoral degree program by submitting a GO-19 form. Courses in the certificate program can often double as course requirements for graduate degree programs. You must be in good academic standing to add the certificate to your degree program.
For Professionals and Post-Baccalaureate students
Professionals and post-baccalaureate students currently not enrolled at PSU may enroll solely in the certificate. Apply for the certificate program online. Relevant courses taken at PSU prior to acceptance into the certificate program apply toward the certificate requirements.
You will be asked for the following information:
- Name, contact information, and some personal details.
- Transcript(s) and Degree Information: The Graduate School requires copies of transcripts only for schools where a bachelor’s degree was awarded and/or graduate-level coursework was completed. If you are accepted, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended as the final verification step after enrolling in your program.
- Emails for three professional letters of recommendation (a request for a recommendation letter will be automatically sent to the emails you provide)
- Resume/CV
Admissions Deadlines
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability students can join the program in fall, winter or spring terms. The Department of Economics follows a rolling admission policy for all submitted applications, regardless of when they are submitted. However, the following deadlines are recommended to ensure students can start the certificate in the designated term.
- Fall admission: June 30
- Winter admission: October 26
- Spring admission: February 4
We currently do not offer funding for certificate-only students. If you are a current student at PSU with a Graduate Assistantship, your funding may allow you to take the courses necessary for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. Please check with the Program Director for your main graduate program to verify if this is possible.
Questions about the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability? Contact: