“Information is useful only if citizens can put it into a framework of knowledge and use it to solve problems, form values, and make choices.”          -Education for Sustainability: An Agenda for Action

Majors / Minors

Liberal Studies Major with an emphasis in sustainability
Design your own program that will suit your specific interests, talents, and career aspirations by utilizing courses throughout the university.


Natural Resource Management Major/ Minor
This program prepares students to care for the land and water resources of Michigan and beyond, and to serve the people whose well-being depends on these resources.
 

Environmental Studies Minor
Environmental Studies may be broadly defined as an exploration of the multiple ways by which human society influences, and is influenced by, its natural environment.
 

Learn more about these Majors and Minors.

          

Themes
Themes are a required upper-division General Education requirement where two classes from different disciplines are paired around a common theme. 

Some sustainability-related themes include:

          Cities
          Earth and Environment
          Global Change
          Health, Wellness and Healing
          Ethics

Learn more about these Sustainability- Related Themes

Sustainability Related Courses
Currently, over 13 percent of all student credit hours are in sustainability courses and over 12,000 students register for these courses every semester. Over 200 courses in sustainability subject matter are now offered, including such offerings as:

          BUS 350 Sustainable Business Management
          LIB 380 Innovation for Sustainability
          EGR 680 Design for Sustainability
          EGR 380 Renewable and Sustainable Energy
          CHM 111 Introduction to Green Chemistry
          LIB 491 Sustainability in Practice

Learn more about available Sustainability Related Courses

Certificates

Green Chemistry
Similar to a minor, the 13-14 credit hour certificate provides students at Grand Valley State University with a foundational knowledge of green, benign chemistry and its principles.

Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning

This 15 credit hour Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning provides students with a foundational knowledge of sustainability in planning and land use issues. This certificate can be completed in three semesters.

Plans are underway to offer more sustainability-related certificates including renewable resources, business, urban sustainability, and green science.

Internships

The GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project is a one acre market garden located just south of the Allendale Campus. The Sustainable Ag Project is currently seeking a maketing intern who will work closely with the Sustainable Ag Manager and ideally will be an individual who wants to learn during this process as well as assist in the selling and marketing of produce from the Farm.

To apply for the position, please send one email to gardnele@gvsu.edu with the following documents:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Sustainability Initiative. The cover letter should include:

• Your interest in sustainable agriculture and marketing.
• An explanation of your organizational and time management skills.
• Applicable academic, professional and volunteer experiences.

2. Contact information for two references.

3. Resume.

Other

Grants and Scholarships

Internships and Jobs

Sustainable Study Abroad