Certificate in Sustainability
Earn a Certificate in Sustainability
The Interdisciplinary Certificate in Sustainability empowers students to solve complex, real-world problems. By blending academic preparation with community and campus partnerships, the program provides a deep understanding of environmental, economic, and human systems, equipping you to build a more sustainable future
Career Outlook
Versatile and customizable, an Interdisciplinary Certificate allows students to develop a unique skill set that combines knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines. The Interdisciplinary Studies department equips students with problem-solving skills that address contemporary societal issues on both local and global levels. This prepares them for various career paths, including government, business, law, humanitarian organizations, journalism, the arts, teaching, and many more. Graduates have attained careers in a range of industries as well as entrance into graduate programs at renowned universities.
Building a Sustainable Future
The Interdisciplinary Certificate in Sustainability empowers students to solve complex, real-world problems. By blending academic preparation with community and campus partnerships, the program provides a deep understanding of environmental, economic, and human systems, equipping you to build a more sustainable future.
Curriculum
The Interdisciplinary Certificate in Sustainability requires the completion of a minimum of 5 courses and 13 semester hours, including IST 230, Sustainability Seminar (1 credit) – the core required course for the certificate. The remaining courses must be chosen from the list below, with at least two courses at the 300-400 level. Requests for course substitutions must be approved by the certificate coordinator. Interdisciplinary certificates may only be completed in conjunction with the completion of an undergraduate degree at UNC Asheville.
Certificate at a Glance
- Minimum of 13 credit hours from five courses
- Courses must represent at least two different disciplines
- No more than 8 hours from a declared major or minor may count
- At least 2 courses at the 300-400 level.
- All courses must be completed at UNC Asheville
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all certificate courses
Required Courses
Foundational Course
Electives
ENVS 130 – Introduction to Environmental Science (3)
Fall and Spring
ENVS 234 – Energy and Society (3)
Fall and Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 282 – Environmental Geology (3)
Fall and Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 322 – Tropical Ecosystems (BIOL 322) (3)
Odd years Spring
- Prerequisite: BIOL 210 or 211, or ENVS 241
ENVS 324 – Environmental Ethics (3)
Fall and Spring
ENVS 326 – Air Pollution Formation and Impacts (ATMS 326) (3)
Odd years spring
- Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or ENVS 130
ENVS 332 – Environmental Management (3)
Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 333 – Environment, Design and Solar Energy (3)
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 334 – Environmental Policy (3)
Fall and Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 336 – Environmental Health (3)
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 344 – Urban Ecology (3)
Even years Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 241 or instructor permission
ENVS 360 – Environmental Restoration (3)
Even years Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ENVS 365 – Strategies for Sustainability (3)
Even years Fall
- Prerequisite: ENVS 334
ENVS 366 – Exotic Invasive Plant Management (4)
Even years Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130 or permission of instructor
ENVS 391 – Conservation Biology (3)
Odd years Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
ECON 242 – Economics of Food (4)
ECON 245 – Land Economics (4)
Every other year
- Prerequisite: ECON 103
ECON 317 – Poverty and Human Capital (4)
Every other year
- Prerequisite: ECON 103
ECON 338 – Morality and Material Progress (4)
Every other Fall
- Prerequisite: ECON 103
ECON 339 – Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and Policy (4)
Fall
- Prerequisite: ECON 103
ECON 359 – Climate Finance (4)
Odd years Spring
ECON 450 – Seminar in Economics (4)
Fall
- Prerequisite: ECON 291 or 292 depending on the topic. Pre- or co-requisite: ECON 365.
ATMS 103 – Introduction to Weather and Climate (3)
Fall and Spring
ATMS 326 – Air Pollution Formation and Impacts (ENVS 326) (3)
Odd years Spring
- Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or ENVS 130
ATMS 355 – Physical Oceanography (3)
Even years Spring
- Prerequisites: MATH 167; either ATMS 103 or ENVR 130
ATMS 420 – Applied Climatology (3)
Spring
- Prerequisite: ENVS 130
BIOL 135 – Concepts in Ecology and Evolution (3)
Fall
- Pre- or co-requisite: CHEM 132
BIOL 322 – Tropical Ecosystems (ENVS 322) (3)
Odd years Spring
- Prerequisite: BIOL 210 or 211, or ENVS 241
BIOL 442 – Forest Ecology (4)
Spring
- Prerequisite: BIOL 211 or ENVR 241
HS 225 – Nutrition Science and Healthy Eating (4)
Every year
HS 326 – Food is Medicine (4)
- Prerequisites: HS 225
HS 333 – Food Politics and Nutrition Policy (4)
Odd years Fall
HS 342 – Advancing Health Equity: Domestic and Global Contexts (4)
- Prerequisite: HS 310
ART 264 – Photography I (4)
Fall and Spring
- Prerequisites: ART 122, 144. Pre- or corequisite: ART 133
Odd years Spring
GS 201 – Introduction to Global Studies (4)
Fall
LIT 363 – Appalachian Literature (4)
Fall
- Prerequisite: LANG 120 or permission of instructor
MCOM 495 – Media Studies Seminar (4)
- Prerequisite: MCOM 104, 201; VMP 205 and 8 hours of MCOM or VMP at the 300 or 400 level
HIST 319 – Southern Appalachian History and Culture (4)
Spring
POLS 354 – Environmental Politics (4)
- Recommended prerequisite: any 200-level POLS course
Supporting Majors
Ready for what's next?
Interdisciplinary Studies at UNC Asheville empowers you to explore diverse subjects, merge ideas from various fields, and discover unexpected connections that can shape the future. Our program is a gateway to a world of boundless possibilities, where you can delve into the intersection of art and science, business and sustainability, technology, and social impact.