Graduate Certificate in Climate Leadership
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Become the climate leader today’s employers need. 100% online.
Organizations are increasingly prioritizing sustainability goals and initiatives into their strategy to reduce the impact their actions have on the planet. In the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate, you’ll learn the fundamentals of sustainability, climate science in management, behavior, and development of organizations, and the principles of corporate social responsibility.
You’ll explore topics, such as:
- the relationship of humans with the natural environment,
- role of humans in creating and solving climate change,
- scientific perspectives and debate,
- systems approach to problem solving,
- organizational change and transformation,
- the causes, impacts, and study of climate change, and
- environmental policy.
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to take meaningful action and inspire others within your organization towards achieving net zero, supported by the skills and knowledge that foster collaboration, aid in decision-making, and support the transition to a greener economy.
The Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate is offered through the University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Sustainable Management. Courses and credits earned in the certificate apply to the master’s degree should you choose to enroll as a degree-seeking student.
Courses are entirely online—asynchronous, with zero on-campus, virtual, or in-person meeting requirements—an ideal format for busy professionals. Watch lectures, participate in online forums with your classmates, and—although assignments have deadlines—do homework whenever it’s convenient for you. The program also provides optional networking and career development opportunities for you to connect virtually with your peers, faculty, and professionals. Learn more about online learning with UW.
Earn your bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate in sustainability ONLINE with the University of Wisconsin.
Who Should Apply?
Students enroll in our certificate programs for a variety of reasons, including to learn new skills that help them advance in their current field, gain a competitive edge in the job market, or change careers. Our certificate programs can also serve as preparation for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate offers value to professionals working in a variety of fields, such as: sustainability, retail, food and agriculture, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, conservation, education, government and public policy, and more.
Courses in the certificates will provide students with the skills and knowledge increasingly sought by employers who are integrating sustainability, climate leadership, and ESG goals into their activities.
Universities of Wisconsin Collaboration
The Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate is a partnership of UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Accreditation
Accreditation is your assurance that you will graduate with skills that are relevant to your field and valued by employers. The Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate is approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
To be eligible for the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate, students must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA).
Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission. If this applies to you, we encourage you to contact an enrollment advisor for more information.
You may also need to submit the following application materials:
- Official college transcripts,
- Your resume, and
- Personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing your motivation to pursue this certificate.
International Guidelines
This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the US, but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the US, you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an international student to a Universities of Wisconsin on-campus program, please refer to these resources through Go Wisconsin.
Application Deadline
Your online application and all required materials must be submitted to your preferred home campus generally 2-4 weeks prior to the date classes start (this varies by campus) to be considered for admission.
How to Apply
While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.
Step 1. Select a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the Universities of Wisconsin Online Admission Application. Please review the application instructions for your preferred home campus below. If you are applying to UW-Stout, you will use the UW-Stout Online Application.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Green Bay” as the campus.
- Choose “Climate Leadership Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
If applying as a “Graduate Applicant:”
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “Yes”, and that you would like to earn a “Graduate Degree”.
- Select “UW-Oshkosh” as the campus.
- Choose “Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate” for program.
$56 application fee.*
*We’re waiving the application fee for Summer and Fall 2026 semesters. To redeem, use coupon code APPLY26 on the UW Online Application payment page.
Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Parkside” as the campus.
- Choose “Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
- If you are applying to UW-Stout, you will use the UW-Stout Online Application.
- No application fee.
- Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Superior” as the campus.
- Choose “Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
Step 3. Send your resume and personal statement; and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied. Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email of your chosen home campus. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.
3 Courses. 9 Credits. 100% Online.
Courses in the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate focus on the principles of sustainability, climate science, and leadership, and is offered through the University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Sustainable Management. Courses and credits earned in the certificate apply to the master’s degree should you choose to enroll as a degree-seeking student.
It is possible to complete a certificate in one year; however, based on work and personal obligations, you may decide to take longer.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
In this course, you will investigate the changing relationships of humans to the natural environment, changes in dominant scientific perspectives, and the process of scientific debate. Explore the quest for understanding, manipulating, and dominating the natural world. And learn about cultural and organizational structures, the role and impact of technology, the systems approach to problem solving, and their implications for the future. | 3 Credits |
Get a macro-level perspective on leading sustainable organizations. Topics include organizational change and transformation processes, strategic and creative thinking, organizational structures and their impacts, conflict management and negotiation, stakeholder management, and situational leadership styles and behaviors. The course focuses on how organizational leaders develop and enable sustainable organizations, especially in times of environmental change. | 3 Credits |
In this course, you will explore climate change through scientific, humanistic, and sustainability frameworks. After building a strong foundation in the causes, impacts, and study of climate change, you will apply this understanding to evaluate scientific communication, environmental justice and vulnerability, and environmental policy to find solutions and strategies to address anthropogenic climate change. | 3 Credits |
Course availability for the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus advisor prior to registration.
Spring 2026
Course Preview Week: January 20 - January 26, 2026
Semester Dates: January 27 - May 08, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
In this course, you will investigate the changing relationships of humans to the natural environment, changes in dominant scientific perspectives, and the process of scientific debate. Explore the quest for understanding, manipulating, and dominating the natural world. And learn about cultural and organizational structures, the role and impact of technology, the systems approach to problem solving, and their implications for the future. | 3 Credits |
Get a macro-level perspective on leading sustainable organizations. Topics include organizational change and transformation processes, strategic and creative thinking, organizational structures and their impacts, conflict management and negotiation, stakeholder management, and situational leadership styles and behaviors. The course focuses on how organizational leaders develop and enable sustainable organizations, especially in times of environmental change. | 3 Credits |
In this course, you will explore climate change through scientific, humanistic, and sustainability frameworks. After building a strong foundation in the causes, impacts, and study of climate change, you will apply this understanding to evaluate scientific communication, environmental justice and vulnerability, and environmental policy to find solutions and strategies to address anthropogenic climate change. | 3 Credits |
Summer 2026
Registration Opens: March 09, 2026
Course Preview Week: May 19 - May 25, 2026
Semester Dates: May 26 - August 07, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Get a macro-level perspective on leading sustainable organizations. Topics include organizational change and transformation processes, strategic and creative thinking, organizational structures and their impacts, conflict management and negotiation, stakeholder management, and situational leadership styles and behaviors. The course focuses on how organizational leaders develop and enable sustainable organizations, especially in times of environmental change. | 3 Credits |
Fall 2026
Registration Opens: April 13, 2026
Course Preview Week: September 01 - September 07, 2026
Semester Dates: September 08 - December 18, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
In this course, you will investigate the changing relationships of humans to the natural environment, changes in dominant scientific perspectives, and the process of scientific debate. Explore the quest for understanding, manipulating, and dominating the natural world. And learn about cultural and organizational structures, the role and impact of technology, the systems approach to problem solving, and their implications for the future. | 3 Credits |
Spring 2027
Registration Opens: November 09, 2026
Course Preview Week: January 19 - January 25, 2027
Semester Dates: January 26 - May 07, 2027
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
In this course, you will investigate the changing relationships of humans to the natural environment, changes in dominant scientific perspectives, and the process of scientific debate. Explore the quest for understanding, manipulating, and dominating the natural world. And learn about cultural and organizational structures, the role and impact of technology, the systems approach to problem solving, and their implications for the future. | 3 Credits |
In this course, you will explore climate change through scientific, humanistic, and sustainability frameworks. After building a strong foundation in the causes, impacts, and study of climate change, you will apply this understanding to evaluate scientific communication, environmental justice and vulnerability, and environmental policy to find solutions and strategies to address anthropogenic climate change. | 3 Credits |
Tuition is $750 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.
- You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
- You will not pay technology fees. If software or special technology is required in a course, it will be provided to you and is included in tuition.
- You will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities).
- $6,750 total tuition for 9-credit graduate certificate.
Financial Aid
Financial aid options may be limited for students enrolling in certificate programs. Financial aid is awarded by your home campus. To learn more, contact an enrollment adviser or your home campus financial aid office:
- UW-Green Bay Financial Aid
- UW-Oshkosh Financial Aid
- UW-Parkside Financial Aid
- UW-Stout Financial Aid
- UW-Superior Financial Aid
You can also visit our financial aid page to learn more about FAFSA and other sources of financial aid.
How do these certificates fit into the master’s degree curriculum?
The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Graduate Certificate (ESG-GC) and the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate (CL-GC) offer flexibility for the student who wants to learn specific skills by earning a certificate, or prefers to build their skills over time by earning one certificate and then the other, and finally earning the Master of Science in Sustainable Management (SMGT-M) by completing the remaining courses. Courses completed in either certificate apply toward the master’s degree should you choose to enroll as a degree-seeking student in the program. You can start any semester and take courses and certificates in any sequence.
Master of Science in Sustainable Management Curriculum
Courses in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Graduate Certificate (ESG-GC), Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate (CL-GC), and the Sustainability and Well-being Graduate Certificate (SW-GC) are highlighted.
Core Courses (3 credits per course)
- SMGT 700 Cultural and Historical Foundations of Sustainability CL-GC
- SMGT 710 The Natural Environment
- SMGT 720 Applied Research and the Triple Bottom Line ESG-GC
- SMGT 730 Policy, Law, and the Ethics of Sustainability ESG-GC
- SMGT 740 Economics of Sustainability ESG-GC
- SMGT 750 The Built Environment SW-GC
- SMGT 760 Geopolitical Systems-Decision Making for Sustainability on Local, State, and National Levels
- SMGT 770 Leading Sustainable Organizations CL-GC
Elective Courses (3 credits per course, complete 2 electives to earn the master’s degree)
- SMGT 780 Corporate Social Responsibility SW-GC
- SMGT 782 Supply Chain Management
- SMGT 784 Sustainable Water Management
- SMGT 785 Waste Management and Resource Recovery
- SMGT 786 Climate Change CL-GC
Capstone (complete the capstone courses to earn the master’s degree)
- SMGT 790 Capstone Prep (1 credit)
- SMGT 792 Capstone Project (3 credits)
For example, a student may choose to earn the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Graduate Certificate (ESG-GC) by completing the three courses required to earn that certificate (SMGT 720 Applied Research and the Triple Bottom Line, SMGT 730 Policy, Law, and the Ethics of Sustainability, SMGT 740 Economics of Sustainability), and returning later to earn the Climate Leadership Graduate Certificate (CL-GC) by completing the three courses required to earn that certificate (SMGT 700 Cultural and Historical Foundations of Sustainability, SMGT 770 Leading Sustainable Organizations, SMGT 786 Climate Change).
If a student earns both certificates, they have completed 6 courses in the master’s degree curriculum. To earn the master’s degree, they need to complete four more core courses (SMGT 710 The Natural Environment, SMGT 750 The Built Environment, SMGT 760 Geopolitical Systems-Decision Making for Sustainability on Local, State, and National Levels) plus one elective and the capstone project to earn the master’s degree.
If a student chooses SMGT 780 Corporate Social Responsibility as their elective, they could also earn the Sustainability and Well-being Graduate Certificate (SW-GC) by completing the two additional Health and Wellness Management courses in that certificate’s curriculum.
Experience UW Sustainable Management
Learn about sustainable management, meet the faculty, read student stories, and more. Read the blog.