Program Details | Leadership for Sustainability Education

LSE curriculum

Most LSE courses are offered in person, on campus or at the Learning Gardens Lab on weekdays from 3:30-6:00pm, once per week. Some courses are offered in a hybrid format, meeting less frequently. ELP core courses are offered fully online, both synchronously and asynchronously. Students typically take 1-2 courses during each quarter, selecting courses from the professional core, the LSE foundational courses, the LSE thematic specialization and electives. A master’s degree is typically completed within a period of two years, but some students choose to take more time to complete the degree.

LSE program of study

• Course Planning Guide for LSE
• LSE program of study overview (2024-25)

ELP Professional Studies Core: (16 credits)

Select one course from each Thematic Core area:

• Educational, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Foundations
  • ELP 551 Social Foundations of Education (4 cr)
  • ELP 554 Philosophy of Education (4 cr)
• Organizational Leadership and Policy
  • ELP 550 Leadership for Sustainability (4 cr)
  • ELP 568 Educational Organization and Administration (4 cr)
• Data Analysis and Decision Making
  • ELP 511 Principles of Educational Research (4 cr)
• Life-Long Learning and Professional Development
  • ELP 517 Ecological & Cultural Foundations of Learning (4 cr)
  • ELP 520 Developmental Perspectives on Adult Learning (4 cr)

LSE Foundational Courses (8 credits)

The following are LSE foundational courses. Every LSE student should plan to take ELP 550 in the first fall term of their program, and ELP 517 in their first winter term.

ELP 550 Advanced Leadership for Sustainability (4 credits, all)
ELP 517 Ecological & Cultural Foundations of Learning (4 credits, winter)
ELP 506 Leadership Seminar (1 credit, spring - not required but highly recommended)

LSE Thematic Specialization and Electives (12 credits)

Students each develop a unique plan of study with their adviser, choosing from courses below, other ELP courses, graduate-level courses from within the College of Education or from other departments at Portland State University. LSE students frequently choose courses from Conflict Resolution, Community Development, Geography, Environmental Science and Management, Women Studies, Gender, Race and Nations, Public Health or Urban Studies and Planning.

ELP 518 Permaculture and Whole Systems Design: Principles and Practices for Sustainable Systems (4 cr)
ELP 508 Sense of Place (1cr)
ELP 548 Global Political Ecology  (4 cr)
ELP 540 Urban Farm Education  (4 cr)
ELP 524 Spiritual Leadership for Sustainable Change (4 cr)
ELP 506 Leadership Seminar (strongly recommended) (1 cr)
ELP 509 Learning Gardens Lab Internship (credits vary)
ELP 506 Sustainability Projects (independent study) (credits vary)
ELP 508 Comps Prep (1 cr)

Culminating Experience (4 credits) 

Candidates for the master’s degree in LSE must take the LSE Comprehensive Exam Course (Comps). The LSE Comprehensive Exam (Comps) is a course in which students develop a problem-based paper that focuses on one sustainability education issue, and demonstrates a satisfactory level of knowledge and skill related to LSE key learning areas. This course, ELP 506 LSE Comps, is taken as Pass/No Pass. Students should have completed a minimum of 35 credits, including the ELP Professional Core Studies, before enrolling in this course. The Comps course meets in-person 4-6 times during the term to help guide students through the completion of their Comps paper. Students give a presentation of their paper at the end of the course.

Note: A Master of Arts differs from a Master of Science in that there is a second language proficiency requirement for Master of Arts degrees. Courses used to fulfill the second language requirement for an MA will not count toward LSE program requirements.

Community-based learning

Most ELP courses carry with them a requirement for 30 credit hours of community-based learning. Specific requirements for community-based learning are set by the instructor. Community-based learning can be carried out in a variety of organizations and educational settings across the metropolitan region. LSE students with an interest in school and community gardens often volunteer or intern at the Learning Gardens Laboratory, assisting with classes for middle school students or with other projects. Other students volunteer in educational organizations or for nonprofit organizations. Students are advised to create a plan for their CBL hours that creates a variety of meaningful experiences that supports their future career goals.

Internships/practicum: local, regional or international

Students also have the option of pursuing an internship or practicum. Such internships must match the student’s interest, the content of the LSE program, and the host institution’s mission and needs. Internships are arranged on an individual basis by the student and must be approved by the student’s adviser. For international internships, all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures set by the International Studies Office of PSU must be followed.

Pre-admission and transfer credits

• Students may enroll in courses prior to formal admission into the program. Pre-admission credits are defined as credits taken at any institution, including PSU before the term of formal admission.
• Students may also transfer credit hours into the degree program subject to approval by the department. These credits are defined as credits earned at any institution other than Portland State University.
• Students are limited to 15 credits of any combination of pre-admission and transfer credits to use towards their degree. Courses must not have been used towards any other degree. Courses with grades lower than a “B” and those graded as “Pass/No Pass” are not transferable into the program.

Community Based Learning

What is Community Based Learning?

Community Based Learning (CBL) is experiential learning that takes place beyond the classroom and traditional academic settings. CBL takes place through volunteering and internship placements, and compliments coursework and theoretical concepts, allowing you to apply your learning in a work setting. CBL is a venue for engaging your head, heart, and hands by developing relationships and networks in the community and working in the field of sustainability education. You can use your CBL requirement as an opportunity to build relationships with various organizations, to try something new, or to engage in a long term project with one group or organization.

How many CBL hours are required?

This will vary from course to course, but typically 30 hours per term are required.

What do I need to do or to know before getting started?

The following questions and reminders are useful to bear in mind as you begin.

• What do you hope to get out of your CBL experience?
• Does the work that the organization/program is doing fit with your academic interests, career goals and/or personal values? Are you excited and invigorated by the work they do?
• What time commitment does the program expect from volunteers, (hours/week, one-time, short or long-term)? Is this commitment expectation one you can fulfill?
• Is the organization/program conveniently located for you? If not, are you willing and/or able to travel to get there?
• Does the program/organization operate during hours that are conducive to your schedule?

Other considerations to keep in mind:

• Be kind to yourself — find a place to volunteer and start volunteering early in the term. Many students procrastinate on finding a place to do their CBL hours, or wait until the end of the term to cram them in. This can be stressful for you and for the organization where you are volunteering.
• Keep a record of the hours you have spent volunteering and what you did. Some instructors will provide guidance and requirements for CBL record keeping, and some will not.
• Trying to recall from memory what you have done and how long you did it can be stressful. Find a method of tracking that works for you and keep up with it.
• Be reliable, considerate and timely. Remember, volunteering is a service that organizations come to rely upon. Additionally, you are representing Portland State University, the ELP Department and the LSE program. On a personal level, leaving an organization with a good impression can often lead to future employment or very valuable references and connections.
• Talk with your instructors and volunteer supervisor if you need to.  Your CBL hours should be meaningful and educational. If you are experiencing difficulty with your CBL hours or experience, don’t be afraid to talk to your instructors, advisor, or the person supervising your volunteer time. You’ll feel better if you do, and things have a way of working out.

Graduate Certificates

Some LSE students choose to earn an additional graduate certificate while completing a master’s degree. Depending on your interests, a graduate certificate can deepen and enhance your knowledge, enriching your LSE education. If you are interested in completing a graduate certificate, work with your advisor to plan a program of study that incorporates the courses you will need. Some graduate certificates to consider include:

• Teaching Adult Learners
• Student Affairs in Higher Education
• Training and Development
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Gender, Race, and Nations
• Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
• Nonprofit and Public Management