The School’s programs are problem-based rather than disciplined-based and students with different interests, skills, and backgrounds get to learn and work together to solve real-world problems. Students will be exposed to different ways of thinking in our programs and will also have the opportunity to help shape the new, groundbreaking field as it evolves.
We also work very closely with the Global Institute of Sustainability. The Institute is involved in many collaborative research projects and hosts many top scholars and professionals working in the field of sustainability. As far as the curriculum is concerned, our program equips students with comprehensive knowledge of what is going on in the field of sustainability at local, national, and global levels. Our program also allows for students to focus in on a particular area of study to gain depth in that area through coursework and an applied experience.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. However, accreditation by a national body or board that oversees academic degree programs in Sustainability does not currently exist. In fact, formal education in Sustainability is so new that we are one of the first schools in the nation to offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in Sustainability. It is possible that an accreditation process for programs in Sustainability will be developed in the future, but one does not exist at this time.
At this point in time we do not have any undergraduate degree programs that are available online or through distance learning.
There are three distinct differences between the two degree programs:
The School of Sustainability uses ASU’s universal application process for undergraduate applications. For more information, please visit ASU’s Undergraduate Admissions site.
For information on when you should apply, please visit these links for application timelines based on your student status:
The School of Sustainability does not have any supplemental admissions criteria or higher standards for our undergraduate programs other than what is required for the general application to Arizona State University. For additional information, please review the Undergraduate Admissions Requirement Summary.
More than one baccalaureate degree may be pursued concurrently if prior approval is given by the standards committee(s) of the college(s)/school(s) offering the degrees. Students may receive concurrent degrees if they meet the minimum requirements for both degrees. Students will need to talk with their advisor about this.
The student seeking a second baccalaureate degree must meet admission criteria. After conferral of the first degree, a minimum of 30 semester hours in resident credit courses at ASU must be successfully completed to earn the second baccalaureate degree. The student must meet all degree and university requirements of the second degree.
The full cost of completing an undergraduate degree at ASU will depend on several factors:
See current ASU tuition rates and fees.
For information on how to establish Arizona residency, please visit Residency Classification.
Sustainability graduates are prepared for admission into strong graduate and professional schools or may assume positions in higher education, industry, consultancy, utilities, regulatory agencies, non-profits, non-governmental organizations, or local, state or federal government. Recent interest in sustainability within business and government has created new employment opportunities in the field.
By engaging a breadth of knowledge and experience, and by acquiring the skills to integrate various domains of knowledge, sustainability students prepare themselves for a variety of careers to help find solutions to challenges having to do with biodiversity and habitats, climate, social transformations, energy, materials and technology, governance and policy, international development, urbanization, and water. Learn more about careers in sustainability by visiting our careers section.
There are several student groups involved in sustainability efforts and initiatives on campus. We encourage you to contact these groups and get involved in making a difference right here at ASU. Learn more about student initiatives in sustainability by visiting our student life section.
Established in 2007, the School of Sustainability brings together multiple disciplines and leaders to create and share knowledge, train a new generation of scholars and practitioners, and develop practical solutions to the most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges of sustainability - especially as they relate to urban areas.
5/2 - Crow, faculty present ideas at American Innovation for Sustainability forum
5/1 - Sustainable Army: Creating a Net Zero Bootprint
4/25 - ASU team to represent US in worldwide student technology competition
4/23 - High school students show off research experience, win big
5/18 - Science Café: Traffic Noise Pollution
