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Sustainability ,BA

Sustainability, BA


Biodiversity, Climate, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Environment, Future, Global, Green, Natural Resources, Policy, Pollution, Society, Water, approved for STEM-OPT extension, urban

Prepare yourself to join a dynamic and growing field of sustainability professionals, working to create a sustainable future for the planet. You'll be equipped to work with local communities and nonprofits as well as in the private sector and government to find solutions to the world's biggest challenges.

Program description

Students in ASU's School of Sustainability are reinventing the future of a world at risk. Students gain career preparation through experiential learning, study abroad programs, research with faculty, community engagement and leadership development. Their knowledge and innovations will shape the social and environmental quality of life for future generations.

The School of Sustainability offers a BA and a BS degree in sustainability. Students focus on developing practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental, economic and social challenges of sustainability, honing their skills in resilience and systems thinking. They learn to manage trade-offs, engage with diverse stakeholders, utilize future-visioning tools, and assess the ethics and values associated with different solution pathways.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is geared toward students with interests in the social dimensions of sustainability, in local to global contexts, with an emphasis on governance, policy, urban systems and international development.

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: Yes
  • First required math course: SOS 101 - Intro Appl Math Life & Soc Sci
  • Math intensity: Moderateprogram math intensity moderate

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

First-year admission requirements for this program are the same as the university's first-year admission requirements.

Transfer admission requirements:

Transfer students, those with 12 or more transfer credit hours after high school graduation, are required to have a cumulative transfer GPA of 3.00 or higher. The School of Sustainability reviews transfer applications that fall below this GPA level on an individual basis.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

ASU students who would like to change their major to sustainability are required to have a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 3.00 based on at least 12 credit hours of ASU coursework.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Global opportunities
Global experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the College of Global Futures, are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.

Career opportunities

The growing emphasis on sustainability extends beyond corporate and governmental sectors, offering diverse career opportunities in nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, community development, justice equity and inclusion efforts. Opportunities encompass sustainability coordination, management, leadership and more. Students can explore alumni employment data for career insights on the College of Global Futures employment data page.

Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sustainability distinctly contribute to these fields. Their education equips them with a comprehensive approach to addressing sustainability challenges, making them valuable to employers and graduate programs. These graduates possess a deep understanding of complex systems drawn from diverse disciplines, and they excel in forward-thinking strategies and stakeholder engagement.

Their strong communication skills, honed through coursework and authentic experiences, enable them to effectively convey sustainability concepts. Additionally, their expertise in teamwork and relationship-building empowers seamless collaboration in diverse settings. Armed with these skills, graduates are well prepared to make a lasting impact on the environment, society and global sustainability efforts.

Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.


Career *Growth *Median salary
6.1%
$76,480
3.3%
$128,620
5.8%
$48,380
4.2%
$98,100
13.4%
$68,230
1.9%
$127,830
4.1%
$64,460
4.7%
$57,860
4.1%
$75,990
3.7%
$79,540
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information

School of Sustainability | WCPH 4th floor
cgfadvising@asu.edu
480-727-6963

What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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