Sustainability and Enterprise (Graduate Certificate)
ESG, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Social Change, Strategy, Sustainable Business, environmental governance, global leadership, leadership, operations
Modern enterprises such as traditional businesses, nonprofits and governments recognize the value of embedding sustainability into their operating strategies. Gain the expertise to guide organizations as they address today's challenges and evolve into the sustainable enterprises of the future.
Organizations are increasingly aware of the need to address sustainability challenges. The CEOs of large private sector companies and leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors agree that sustainability is critical to the future success of their enterprises. New types of enterprise models, including hybrids, mission-driven enterprises, benefit corporations and cooperatives are emerging; and there's an increased demand for professionals who can guide enterprises to include sustainability principles in their operating strategies.
The graduate certificate program in sustainability and enterprise prepares you to advance sustainability practices and communicate sustainability as a means for transformational change, organizational success and innovation. It equips you to develop the sustainable enterprises of the future and employ sustainability as a strategy for enterprise success.
Skills you develop in this program include:
- applying personal collaborative strengths to work in teams to assess sustainability opportunities and strategies
- applying sustainability competencies to develop and implement enterprise improvement proposals
- communicating sustainable enterprise approaches, challenges, risks and opportunities
- critically assessing enterprises against a comprehensive set of sustainability criteria
- identifying opportunities that exist for enterprises that address sustainability problems
This graduate certificate in sustainability and enterprise may be paired with a graduate degree at ASU or completed on its own. If done independently, a graduate certificate doesn't meet the requirements for federal financial aid or a student visa.
- College/school:
Rob Walton College of Global Futures
- Location: Tempe or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
15 credit hours
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
EMS 523 Strategic Sustainability and Leadership (3)
SOS 508 Pathways to Sustainability (3)
SOS 509 Leading Sustainability Transitions (3)
Students should see their program advisor for an approved list of electives.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in sustainability, business or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Admission Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. The School of Sustainability requires a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 5, or a score of 100 (taken in a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026.
Applicants are not required to be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Arizona State University.
At this time, only applications for fall and spring session A are being accepted due to the availability of the core classes SOS 508 and SOS 509 in fall and spring session A only.
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.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/15 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final |
Study abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton 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 examples include the following roles. Additional advanced degrees or certifications may be required for some careers.
- chief sustainability officer
- environmental scientist or specialist
- management analyst
- project manager
- sustainability consultant
- sustainability specialist
School of Sustainability
|
WCPH 4th floor
sustainabilitygrad@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
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. 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.
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.
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.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
