Certificate in Environmental Sustainability
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Download the certificate guide for details on admission requirements, tuition, and courses.
Achieve sustainability goals with environmental science. 100% Online.
In the Environmental Sustainability Certificate, you’ll learn about the interrelationship between human behavior and the environment, energy systems, and emerging technologies.
You’ll explore topics, such as:
-
- carbon budgeting and reporting,
- role of humans in creating and solving climate change,
- biodiversity and ecology,
- energy systems including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass,
- renewable energy and emerging technology,
- systems thinking,
- natural resource management.
The Environmental Sustainability Certificate is offered through the University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management program. Coursework completed in the certificate applies toward the bachelor’s degree program should you choose to enroll as a degree-seeking student.
Courses are completed entirely online. 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 Extended Campus.
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 Environmental Sustainability Certificate offers value to professionals working in a variety of fields, such as: sustainability, facilities/operations, landscaping and grounds maintenance, public health/human services, waste management, education, government and public policy, business, architecture/design, urban planning, and more.
Universities of Wisconsin Collaboration
The Environmental Sustainability Certificate is a partnership of UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, and UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Accreditation
Whether online or on campus, University of Wisconsin programs have a reputation for delivering world-class education and student support. Accreditation is your assurance that you will graduate with skills that are relevant to your field and valued by employers. The Environmental Sustainability Certificate is approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Admission to the Environmental Sustainability Certificate does not require an application fee, transcripts, or prerequisites. Please review the following information before completing the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application.
Application Deadline
All application materials need to be completed two weeks prior to the semester start to be considered for admission.
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 U.S., but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., 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 preferred home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.
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-Parkside, UW-River Falls, or UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Please review the application instructions for your preferred home campus below.
- Apply as an “Undergraduate Non-Degree” applicant.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No” and that you plan to take “Undergraduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Parkside” as the campus.
- Select your certificate of interest: Certificate in Environmental Sustainability.
- Skip the application fee section (an application fee is not required for the certificate).
- Not eligible for financial aid.
- Apply as an “Undergraduate Non-Degree” applicant.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No” and that you plan to take “Undergraduate” classes.
- Select “UW-River Falls” as the campus.
- Choose “UG Special/Non-Degree” for program.
- Indicate interest in the Certificate in Environmental Sustainability in the essay field on the application.
- Skip the application fee section (an application fee is not required for the certificate).
- Not eligible for financial aid.
- Apply as an “Undergraduate Non-Degree” applicant.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No” and that you plan to take “Undergraduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Superior” as the campus.
- Choose “Undergraduate Non-Degree” for program.
- Indicate interest in the Certificate in Environmental Sustainability in the essay field on the application.
- Skip the application fee section (an application fee is not required for the certificate).
- Not eligible for financial aid.
4 Courses. 12 Credits. 100% Online.
Coursework in the Environmental Sustainability Certificate focuses on the environmental science behind sustainability. Learn about the interrelationship between human behavior and the environment, energy systems, and emerging technologies.
The Environmental Sustainability Certificate is offered through the University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management program. Coursework completed in the certificate applies toward the bachelor’s degree program 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. You must complete all four courses to earn the certificate.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
New Course This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math | 3 Credits |
This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability. Prerequisites: Introductory Biology | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math | 3 Credits |
This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability. | 3 Credits |
Course availability for the Environmental Sustainability Certificate varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.
Spring 2024
Course Preview Week: January 16 - January 22, 2024
Semester Dates: January 23 - May 03, 2024
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
New Course This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math | 3 Credits |
Fall 2024
Request Permission NumberCourse Preview Week: August 27 - September 02, 2024
Semester Dates: September 03 - December 13, 2024
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability. Prerequisites: Introductory Biology | 3 Credits |
This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability. | 3 Credits |
Spring 2025
Registration Opens: November 11, 2024
Course Preview Week: January 21 - January 27, 2025
Semester Dates: January 28 - May 09, 2025
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
New Course This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math | 3 Credits |
Tuition is a flat fee of $450 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately.
- 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).
- Textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.
Students enrolling in certificate programs may be eligible for financial aid. Refer to your home campus for more information.
Experience UW Sustainable Management
Learn about sustainable management, meet the faculty, read student stories, and more. Read the blog.