Degrees for the 21st Century and Beyond: Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary program. Programs can integrate social, economic, and environmental concepts of sustainability into any number of academic fields including:

• Social sciences
• Environmental sciences
• Public policy
• Business
• Ethics
• Justice/Law
• Leadership
• International organization
• Government

Earning a degree in Sustainable Development can be found as an Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s program. Certificate programs in Sustainable Development are becoming more common and are a wonderful educational asset to attain.

Certificate in Sustainable Development

At its core, sustainability is using resources to meet present needs without compromising future resources. Sustainable development is most often associated with environmental protection and conservation. Yet, it also has wide reaching social and economic impacts.

There are many set career paths for jobs in sustainability and also many peripheral jobs as well. Job opportunities related to Sustainable Development are varied and vast and include:

• Sustainability manager
• Director of corporate responsibility
• Industrial manager
• Logistics (transportation, storage, and distribution)
• Environmental scientist
• Civil engineer
• Recycling coordinator
• Conservation worker

A Certificate in Sustainable Development is excellent preparation for careers while also preparing students for further educational success should they choose to continue with baccalaureate studies.

Jobs with a Certificate in Sustainable Development:

• Environmental Science Technician- Monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination. Median Annual Salary: $47,000.
• Ready to start your Certificate in Sustainable Development? Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:  
• University of Chicago- Offers a graduate Certificate in Urban Science and Sustainable Development. The University of Chicago participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
• University of West Georgia- Offers an undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Business. University of West Georgia participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Associate Degree in Sustainable Development

Sustainability professionals seek to improve an organization’s environmental, social, and/or economic impact. Increasingly, companies are adopting sustainability strategies to positively impact profits along with public image. Organizations in the public sector are also growing their sustainable development initiatives. Sustainability initiatives may include:

• natural resource reduction
• supply chain management initiatives
• worker safety improvements
• health initiatives for stakeholders

Jobs with an Associate Degree in Sustainable Development:

• News Correspondent– Work for newspaper, website, or periodical publishers or in television or radio broadcasting and inform the public about news and events. Specifically, as it relates to and/or impacts news regarding sustainability, sustainable development, etc. Median Annual Salary: $46,000.
• Logistician- Analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain. Median Annual Salary: $76,000.
• Ready to start your Associate Degree in Sustainable Development? Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:  
• Scottsdale Community College- Offers an Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies. SCC also offers an Academic Certificate (AC) in Sustainability.

Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Development

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Development, students will grow their knowledge and expertise on all things related to this field while also cultivating their writing and research skills.

A Degree in Sustainable Development is interdisciplinary and may include courses such as:

• introduction to sustainability
• environmental ethics
• sustainable justice
• sustainable leadership
• international organization

Upon graduation, students can choose to enter the workforce and/or pursue further education by earning a graduate degree.

Jobs with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Development:

• Public Relations Specialist- Create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent, especially as it related to sustainability initiatives. Median Annual Salary: $63,000.
• Conservation Scientist- Works for governments (federal, state, and local), on privately owned lands, or in social advocacy organizations. Median Annual Salary: $64,000.
• Forester- Manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. Median Annual Salary: $64,000.

VA-Approved Schools Offering Bachelor’s Degrees in Sustainable Development

Ready to start your Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Development? Check out these great programs.

Eastern Oregon University

Offers a Bachelor’s in Sustainable Rural Systems. Eastern Oregon University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Fayetteville State University

Offers Sustainability as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Fayetteville State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Sierra Nevada University

Offers Sustainability for its interdisciplinary undergraduate degrees. Sierra Nevada University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Simmons University

Offers Sustainability as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. Simmons participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.