Pursue a career with a greater purpose and establish yourself as a leader in the sustainability movement. Meet the growing demand for knowledgeable professionals in renewable energies and the sustainable practices, a driving force in our economy. Formats: Online | In-Person
The field of sustainability is complex, interdisciplinary, and full of promise for the future. As environmental considerations become top of mind for individuals and businesses, sustainability is a field that has important local and far-reaching significance.
The UCLA Extension Sustainability Certificate prepares individuals to make a substantial impact in the world through a course of study that provides a practical, comprehensive, multidisciplinary foundation for new to mid-level career professionals.
Format: Courses are offered in a mix of online and in person formats.
Duration: Complete the certificate in as little as 6 months. Typical pace is 1 year. Start any quarter.
This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.
While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.
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Through this 20-unit program, you will enhance your skill set in areas including environmental and energy consultancy, green investment and marketing, green building project design, service learning, renewable energy, environmental compliance, climate change, and water resource policy.
The program is taught by instructors who are experts in their respective fields, and courses are designed for practical real-world application.
The Sustainability Certificate program offers a balanced and comprehensive curriculum, making the certificate transferable across industries. Previous graduates have moved on to careers in the following areas and organizations:
There are many career opportunities that are directly tied to sustainability throughout the private, public, and non-profit sectors. There are also many ways to integrate sustainability into your existing work. Learn more by visiting UCLA's webpage on Careers in Sustainability.
Our course curriculum is developed in cooperation with the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES) at UCLA.
The IoES moves science to action on the front lines of environmental progress, seeking solutions for the broader world.
As an instructor in the Sustainability program, I get the opportunity to empower students and working professionals to make impactful change. It is an extraordinary experience to stand in front of a classroom filled with bright students and professionals from 15+ countries and work through tackling the globe’s most pressing issues together.
Learn how our programs in sustainability and environmental studies can help you achieve your career goals in this informative online session, with an opportunity for Q&A.
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
Please Note: Of the three required courses, Principles of Sustainability I must be completed before you take Principles of Sustainability II and III.
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.
A Sustainability Internship can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions related to environmental sustainability.
Certificate students must complete three of the five courses in the program before applying for the internship.
The UCLA Extension Sustainability Certificate is an interdiciplinary program examining the major elements that impact the environment on a daily basis, such as our use of water, air, land, energy, and transportation. Explore the latest sustainable intiatives aimed at protecting our environment, while driving innovation.
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