Online Sustainability Programs: Choosing the Right Option

August 8, 2014 12:00 PM

The growing level of passionate public concern for the impact of a modern, industrial society on the planet demands an equally committed response from companies and organizations across the globe. To that end, many of the foremost corporations, NGO’s, and government agencies worldwide have sought professionals with a background in developing and executing sustainable policies to help their goals interact responsibly with the planet’s natural resources.

While this creates a number of new career opportunities for established experts in sustainability, it’s still a relatively new field. The path for someone with little or no experience with the “Green” movement is still a bit abstract. With green tech and sustainable strategies evolving at an incredible pace, how can professionals that are new to the field develop the unique, expanding skillset that the pursuit of a zero-impact culture demands?

The answer: continued education. Colleges around the U.S. are beginning to offer online sustainability master’s programs, undergraduate programs, and certificates among their catalog of coursework. Here’s a brief comparison of some of your options when pursuing an online sustainability program, and how to choose the one that best suits your professional and personal goals.

Online Sustainability Master’s Programs

For those looking to make a significant investment in their sustainability career, earning their master’s in sustainability might be the best option. Coursework will certainly be thorough, and examine the essential elements of sustainable business practices. Many programs nowadays, and some of those offered by major universities, can be completed entirely online.

Of course, the central problem with a full graduate degree program is two-fold: tuition costs and time of completion. Earning that sustainability master’s degree could take several years, and end up costing tens of thousands of dollars. That can be a significant prohibitive force given the hectic, competitive state of the working world, and the current state of the economy. For some folks it also depends on what role you'd like to play in the sustainability field. Be sure to investigate what kinds of coursework (academic or practical) and experiences you will engaging in to make sure its a good fit.

Online Sustainability Bachelor’s Programs

Pursuing sustainability as an undergrad can set the stage well for further studies in the field. Online programs in this space specifically focused on sustainability are relatively rare, but with the renewed interest in sustainable practices, more institutions may offer them in future. Of course, students can pursue online bachelor’s programs in environmental studies, as well. These programs will likely not specialize in teaching sustainability practices, but they do typically provide students with a solid understanding of the natural science behind sustainable initiatives.

Student expectations regarding the time needed to complete a bachelor’s are pretty well-established, so it shouldn’t be too daunting for interested parties to learn that it can take several years to complete these programs. Tuition, for both online sustainability bachelor’s programs and on-campus, is usually about on-par with the rest of the university’s offerings.

However, beyond being somewhat inaccessible to those who’ve already completed a bachelor’s, there is one major drawback to earning a bachelor’s in sustainability. While employers are certainly on the hunt for those with an understanding of sustainable practices, grounding one’s knowledge in sustainability training alone could potentially hamper a student’s chances at growing into leadership roles. With sustainability being such a dynamic, evolving pursuit that’s now a component of numerous different industries, green leaders, consultants, and other professionals frequently have advanced education outside environmental training. In fact, as of 2013, only 9% of corporate Vice Presidents that lead sustainability initiatives had any background in environmental studies, while 27% had degrees in business management, and 21% had education in engineering.* (Source, Greenbiz 2013 Report)

In short, the field demands a diverse skillset, so forming the foundations with undergraduate work (by earning a more focused degree) and developing sustainability skills after graduation might be preferable, to some, and ultimately offer greater potential for upward mobility.

Online Sustainability Certificates

Often relatively affordable, quicker to complete, and only slightly less rigorous than a master’s or bachelor’s program, online sustainability certificates are becoming a popular means of rapidly developing the skills needed to succeed as a green leader. College graduates and established professionals can augment their background through online sustainability programs to include significant knowledge on organizing and adopting green policies, giving them a dedicated niche to fill within their organization. All this, paired with the practicality and convenience of digital coursework, make this a phenomenal option for many looking to expand into new job roles and opportunities.

University of Colorado Boulder Online Non-Credit Sustainability Certificates

The University of Colorado Boulder offers online certificates in sustainability management that bring all of those benefits to the table and more. Developed and lead by faculty leaders, students participate in convenient, interactive seminars in both business and community sustainability, which can help tailor the online sustainability program to suit their career aspirations.

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