Certificate requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Environment, Policy, and Society will provide interdisciplinary training for graduate students and is open to those enrolled in M.S, M.A, M.B.A, Ph.D., and J.D. degree programs at the University of Colorado at Boulder, as well as Continuing Education students with advanced degrees or equivalent professional experience enrolled as non-degree seeking students. This opportunity will also be extended to interested graduate students from all four CU campuses with the intent of working toward the CU 2010 Vision.

The Graduate Certificate in Environment, Policy, and Society will be supplemental to the degree being sought and will enhance students’ learning experience and knowledge base. The Graduate Certificate in Environment, Policy, and Society will have as its foundation two core requirements representing “cornerstone” and a “capstone” course. A range of existing courses will be offered to students to serve as the Certificate cornerstone, while the common integrative capstone course will be taught each Spring semester. The courses used to satisfy the foundational survey cornerstone course will cover a range of environmental issues and will focus on their social dimensions. The Certificate’s capstone course will represent an interdisciplinary, integrative learning experience, designed to bring multiple perspectives to
bear on a particular environmental issue.

The Certificate will be awarded upon completion of degree requirements and will require 18 hours of approved coursework. No more than 6 credit hours may be from the student’s home department. Official recognition of Certificate completion, including note of the specialty area chosen, will be displayed on the student’s university transcript.

Elective coursework must total 12 credit hours. Nine elective credit hours must be drawn from one of four specialty areas, chosen by the student: 1) Society and the Environment; 2) Environmental Policy; 3) Energy and Society; 4) Water and Society. The broad area of “Society and the Environment” has 2 recognized (but optional) clusters of courses including “Environment and Development” and “Social Dimensions of Hazards.” Additional credit hours may be taken from outside the student’s area on consultation with, and approval from, the student’s Certificate advisor. Students who wish to incorporate a natural science course into their elective coursework may also do so with the approval of their Certificate advisor.