Sustainability, M.S.

General Schedule for Independent Study Courses

Traditional Semester: Independent study courses follow a semester-long format. Independent study means the student directs the course of study, without the structured direction of a professor as follows:

• Complete research on the type of course topic desired for study. Usually these course subjects focus on a concentration not offered in the program.
• Schedule a consultation with a course facilitator who completes a course agreement form (available on ISP website) or course contract. The student develops an outline of learning objectives, course expectations, timelines and deliverables and documents it on the Form.
• Check in with the course facilitator at mid-semester to ensure the independent study is progressing as agreed and that the learning objectives are being achieved.
• Complete the agreed course of study and submit deliverables to the course facilitator for grading, prior to the date for final course grade submission.

Master of Science in Sustainability Concentrations

Master of Science in Sustainability Concentrations

As part of the trans-disciplinary sustainability academic program, concentrations offer the ability to hone specialized knowledge and skills in one area of application. Additionally, concentrations demonstrate a specific student’s academic and professional preparation. Each student must select a concentration, whether it is from the first three options below, or is customized with the academic director. Concentrations should be selected within the first semester of graduate enrollment in the M.S. in sustainability degree program.

Collaborative competency. Students pursuing a graduate concentration in collaborative competency will build skills to engage multi-stakeholder groups to make decisions that yield social, environmental, and economic well-being. Significant collaboration with the Institute for Conflict Management is involved in this concentration. Required courses are ICM 6113 Facilitating Dynamic Groups; SU 6163 Society, environment, and change; ICM 5013 Negotiation and Settlement Processes; and one of the following courses: ICM 6053 Public Policy Conflict Management or ICM 6143 Organizational Conflict. The academic directors of the Institute for Sustainable Practice and the Institute for Conflict Management will provide guidance on selecting between the two course options.

Urban resilience. Students pursuing a graduate concentration in urban resilience will apply the sustainability triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) to making decisions bout multiple aspects of urban management and urban life to make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency, resilience, and social well-being. Required courses are SU 6183 Urban Planning for Sustainability and Resilience (offered online only); ICM 5013 Negotiation and settlement processes; and two of the following courses: SU 6123 Green building design, construction, and operation, SU 6133 Renewable Energy Options and Design Applications; SU 6143 Sustainable Food Practice; 6193 Water Management for Sustainability and Resilience (offered online only).

Renewable energy and energy efficiency. Students pursuing a concentration in renewable energy and energy efficiency will be well-positioned to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy technologies and manage the built environment to increase energy efficiency. Required courses are SU 6133 Renewable energy options and design applications (3), SU 6083 Professional experience and study in sustainability, in which students will successfully achieve renewable energy professional certifications while enrolled, SU 6043 Capstone project in sustainability (3), and SU 609V Sustainability travel to [Destination] (3). Faculty and students will collaborate to tailor students’ syllabi (e.g. readings, assignments) in SU 6043 and SU 609V to focus substantially on renewable energy and energy efficiency applications. 

Building and energy systems. This concentration is appropriate for students preparing for careers in the built environment (e.g. construction, facilities management, real estate). Students will gain a holistic perspective on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of buildings and sites and a framework for positively transforming the built environment. Required courses are SU 6123 Green building design, construction, and operation (3), SU 6133 Renewable energy options and design applications (3), SU 609V Sustainability travel to [Destination] (3). SU 6043 Capstone project in sustainability (3). Students will successfully achieve green building or renewable energy certifications while enrolled in SU 6043. Faculty and students will collaborate to tailor students’ syllabi (e.g. readings, assignments) in SU 6043 and SU 609V to focus substantially on green buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy applications. 

Food systems. This concentration fits students with interests in sustainable agriculture as well as the social, economic, and environmental impacts of food systems. Required courses are SU 6143 Sustainable food practice (3), SU 6083 Professional experience and study in sustainability, in which students may achieve certifications while enrolled, SU 609V Sustainability travel to [Destination] (3), SU 6043 Capstone project in sustainability (3). Faculty and students will collaborate to tailor students’ syllabi (e.g. readings, assignments) in SU 6043 and SU 609V to focus substantially on enhancing social, environmental, and economic sustainability of food production, distribution, and consumption.

Customizable concentration. This is a concentration for students who desire to apply their studies in sustainability to a specific field, precluding fields encompassed by concentrations listed above. Previous students have customized concentrations in fields and topics such as community health, carbon modeling, environmental literacy, and hospitality and tourism. Required courses are one classroom-based course in the program (e.g. SU 6033 Special topics in sustainability (3) or SU 6103 Creation care and spiritual formation [3]). SU 6083 Professional experience and study in sustainability (3), in which students may achieve relevant certifications while enrolled, SU 6043 Capstone project in sustainability (3), and SU 609V Sustainability travel to [Destination] (3). Faculty and students will collaborate to tailor students’ syllabi (e.g. readings, assignments) in SU 6043 and SU 609V to focus substantially on student’s topic of concentration.