With the awareness about global warming and debates regarding climate change, sustainability is a growing concern, especially among the youth. Suppose you are also among those people who are very much concerned about our planet and its living species and want to study and gain knowledge about this critical and relevant field. In that case, the United States offers some of the best programs about the same. The USA is an excellent choice for pursuing a degree in sustainability or sustainable development. The US universities provide the best faculty expertise, excellent research facilities, and various kinds of opportunities to make their students well-equipped so that they can make a positive impact on the planet.
Why Study in USA for Sustainability?
The USA is a global leader when it comes to doing research and education programs regarding sustainability. Many US universities in collaboration with industry experts are known to find innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This gives students the knowledge as well as experience of practical applicability of theoretical concepts as well. The US Universities provide sustainability programs in diverse fields–from engineering to MBA, you can choose according to your career goals.
Working with like-minded people like your fellow mates, faculty members, industry professionals, and experts will expose you to wider perspectives and help you expand your network, which could help you in your future career. In addition to these, a degree from the US will certainly give you some advancement from others and can open a lot of doors to exciting job opportunities in various sectors.
In this blog, we will list the top universities for sustainability programs in the USA.
1. Colombia University
Colombia University offers an MS in Sustainability Management, which is a convergence of business and environment. It is offered by the School of Professional Studies and was created by Colombia Climate School. The program is taught through different dimensions such as the sustainability of water; energy; greenhouse gases; environmental infrastructure; general and financial management; economics; quantitative analysis; and policy to give students a holistic education. Students would have access to research, fieldwork and internship opportunities; climate and sustainability practitioners and alumni network; associations and clubs; and fellowships and scholarships. Full-time students have to register for more than 12 points in a semester and per point fee is USD 2,640. Along with other documents, applicants will also have to submit a 1-minute video essay at the time of applying.
The same School also offers an MS in Sustainability Science. This program will benefit particularly those who have graduated from science, engineering, math, or related fields. Students would have access to Colombia Earth Institute which is the largest university-wide research organization in the world for sustainability research, practice, and education. The tuition fee is the same as MS in Sustainability Management.
2. Harvard University
Harvard’s Kennedy School provides the Sustainability Science Program as a center of research, teaching, and solutions for challenges of sustainable development. The program is multidisciplinary and people from diverse fields are engaged with it such as natural, social, health, and engineering sciences, and present with practical field experiences in business, government, and civil society.
Harvard’s Extension School provides a Master’s degree in Sustainability program. The students will be provided with mastery over the science, policies, technologies, and financial models of sustainability. It is a 12-course program, taking 2-5 years depending upon your preferred pace and the number of courses you take in each semester. Each course costs USD 3,340 with an overall approximate cost of USD 40,080. After completion of the course, you will earn a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Sustainability Degree.
3. University of Georgia
The University of Georgia provides an Interdisciplinary Certificate in Sustainability in which students have to complete 17 credit hours of coursework. The certificate consists of the following components: an anchor course in sustainability; one course from each of the spheres of sustainability, i.e., Ecological, Economic, and Social; 2 semesters of sustainability seminar; a capstone project; and a portfolio of written reflection.
4. Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability provides many programs at undergraduate as well as postgraduate levels regarding sustainability. For undergraduate students, there is a BA in Sustainability and a BS in sustainability. The former is for those who are interested in social sciences, humanities, planning, or related fields, and the latter is for those who are inclined to natural sciences, economics, engineering, or related fields. If you are looking for a more narrowed-down program, then there is a BS in Sustainable Food Systems. This is for those who want a career in the food and agriculture sector.
For Graduate degrees, students can enroll in an MA in Sustainability, MS in Sustainability, Master of Sustainability Solutions, Master of Sustainability Leadership, Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership, and Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems. Doctorate students can do PhD in Sustainability and Sustainable Energy as well. All these programs are available in online format.
5. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) offers many specialization courses such as MS in Sustainability and Development. The focus of this program is on poverty and inequality analytics, analysis of institutions and governance, design and evaluation of policies and programs, and sustainability transitions/transformation science. Another program is MS in Sustainable Systems and the the curriculum for this focuses on 3 specific areas: systems analysis, sustainable design and technology, and sustainable decision-making and enterprise.
The School also offers a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, which consists of 12 credit hours. To acquire the certificate, the students have to complete 6 credits of coursework in fundamental knowledge, 6 credits of coursework in skillset development, and 3 credits for learning capstone experience.
6. University of Florida
University of Florida’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies. Its foundation is based on natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The main focus of this program would be on the maintenance of ecological and environmental health, economic welfare, and how to pursue social justice in a changing world. The per-year tuition fee for this program is USD 28,659.
The College of Design, Construction, and Planning offers a BS in Sustainability and the Built Environment (BSSBE), its main focus is on finding creative solutions for the planning, design, and construction of human settlements and structures. The program covers the areas of environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, economics, natural resources, sociology, and anthropology.
Center for Latin American Studies & Center for African Studies also has a Master of Sustainable Development Practices. It is an interdisciplinary program composed of health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and management skills through research and practical learning. It is a 2-year program, however, some flexibility in some courses exists. The tuition cost for this program would be USD 56,493.
7. Tufts University
Tuft University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers an MS in Sustainability program which would be based on STEM subjects. In this, students will be required to complete five core courses: Socio-Ecological Systems Thinking for Sustainability; Economics for Policy and Planning; Quantitative Reasoning; Introduction to GIS; and Field Projects. Students have to option to choose a sixth core subject and five additional elective courses, as well as complete an internship. Full-time students can complete in 12-18 months. The per-credit tuition rate is USD 1,542.
8. University of California, Berkeley (UC, Berkeley)
The Energy and Resources Group of UC, Berkeley provides a Sustainability Minor/Certificate program. The students have to complete courses in global and local environmental change; the science, engineering, economics, and policy of renewable energy; the economics of degradation and sustainability; business and sustainability; environmental justice; water science, policy, engineering, and equity. The program is for UC, Berkeley undergraduate students as well as summer-only students and can be completed over one or multiple summers or semesters.
BA in Sustainable Environmental Design is offered by The College of Environmental Design. The core classes designed for this program are the Gateway course; a design frameworks course; and a capstone workshop. Berkeley Extension also provides an Advanced Program in Sustainable Management for a UG Certificate. It is an online 5-year program. The total cost for this program would be USD 47.16. The courses covered would be climate change; environment and sustainability; environmental law; and sustainability leadership: strategies and paradigms.
9. Dartmouth
Undergraduate students can choose to take the sustainable energy track within the environmental studies minor. If you opt for Energy Engineering at Dartmouth, then Sustainable Design Research would be part of the overall program. The research aims to re-engineer material culture for a healthy future. Dartmouth also offers a Master’s in Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society (EEES). The concentration of this program is on ecology and evolutionary biology, ecosystems and earth systems, and environment and society. The expertise the students will gain will be in the fields of Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies, Anthropology, and Geography.
10. American University (AU)
American University offers an MS in Sustainability Management degree in both online and in-person format. For full-time students, the program will be completed in 12-21 credits, and for part-time students it will be 30 credits. The students will be part of ongoing projects with the sustainability stakeholders in the US as well as abroad. The focus areas of this program would be environmental and social science, public policy, and international relations. After completion of this degree, students can choose sustainable business, sustainable environment, and sustainable policy as their career. It costs USD 2,000 per credit and USD 60,000 total tuition fee.
School of International Service also offers a program in MA in International Affairs: Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRSD). It is a dual-degree program–offered by both the AU and United Nations-affiliated University for Peace (UPeace) in Costa Rica. It can be completed in 2 years for full-time students and up to 6 years for part-time students. The concentration of this program would be on climate and energy; water; environmental law and policy; environment and peacemaking; development; food, agriculture global health; and urban ecology.
The Key Concentration of Sustainable Studies
- Environmental Science
- Sustainable Business
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Policy
- Climate Change
Tips to Apply for Sustainability Programs in the USA
- Do comprehensive research about the programs in various universities, and choose only those that can go together with your interests and career goals.
- First, prepare a strong and compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP), gather letters of recommendation (LOR), and make sure your academic transcripts are in order.
- Specify in your SOP if you have any previous working experience or coursework related to sustainability to highlight your motivations and commitments.
- Showcase your perspective on global environmental issues and your interest in contributing to sustainable solutions.
- Search prospects for scholarships or financial aid to fund your studies.
When applying to US universities, working with a study abroad consultant can be invaluable. Contentholic’s expert study abroad consultants can help you with the application process, choosing the right program and university, and even advising on how to write your SOP. If you are wondering why you need advice on SOP, then you may not know that an SOP is a crucial document of your application. Our Professional SOP Writing Services can assist you in writing a strong and persuasive SOP that will highlight your best qualities, motivations, and career aspirations.
Conclusion
Pursuing a degree in sustainability from the US can be a rewarding and perspective-changing experience. With the expert facilities, renowned research centers, excellent internship, and ongoing project experiences, you will be well prepared to contribute towards the knowledge and solutions to the environmental challenges our planet faces today. By working with Contentholic’s study abroad consultants and using our professional SOP writing services you can get into the top sustainability programs in the US, achieve your academic goals, and come one step closer to your career aspirations.
