Sustainable Food Systems
Undergraduate Certificate
Allendale • Face to face • Hybrid • 15-18 Credits
Sustainable food systems provide healthy food to people while ensuring environmental, economic, and social sustainability for future generations.
Overview
Grand Valley's Sustainable Food Systems certificate equips students with the skills and experience necessary to advocate for strong local food systems and foster healthy communities. This program is available in face-to-face and hybrid formats, offering flexibility for both degree and non-degree-seeking students.
The coursework covers environmental change, food safety, human health, international food and culture, nutrition, soil science, and sustainable agriculture. These topics provide comprehensive knowledge for understanding and promoting sustainable food practices.
This certificate integrates multiple perspectives on food justice, environmental stewardship, and food science and safety. It offers practical experience through activities like gardening and composting at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) farm, enhancing your resume with recognized credentials.
Admission Information
For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:
- Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop down list, and click Submit)
- Speak with the appropriate advisor to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript.
School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Environmental and Sustainability Studies
gvsu.edu/ens
324 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-8016
[email protected]
Admissions and Recruitment Office
Career Opportunities
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Top skills- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 61,337.58 | 10% |
| $ 76,350.39 | 25% |
| $ 97,402.17 | 50% |
| $138,494.59 | 75% |
| $243,842.69 | 90% |
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 46,857.74 | 10% |
| $ 58,750.92 | 25% |
| $ 76,377.18 | 50% |
| $ 89,572.34 | 75% |
| $103,053.50 | 90% |
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Top skills- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 49,942.27 | 10% |
| $ 60,906.49 | 25% |
| $ 76,657.20 | 50% |
| $ 96,563.00 | 75% |
| $108,798.69 | 90% |
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Top skills- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 32,189.07 | 10% |
| $ 42,713.07 | 25% |
| $ 52,721.28 | 50% |
| $ 65,961.73 | 75% |
| $ 89,648.04 | 90% |
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 36,465.67 | 10% |
| $ 41,008.49 | 25% |
| $ 47,118.36 | 50% |
| $ 60,503.73 | 75% |
| $ 77,122.57 | 90% |
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Listening
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 47,303.74 | 10% |
| $ 59,102.39 | 25% |
| $ 75,133.80 | 50% |
| $100,030.13 | 75% |
| $118,978.44 | 90% |
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Environmental and Sustainable Studies (ENS) at Grand Valley
ENS draws upon a variety of disciplines to develop a holistic, place-based, and solutions-oriented understanding of environmental and sustainability challenges. The program emphasizes a practical approach to environmental issues through collaborative problem-solving, involvement in faculty-led research projects, internships, practicums, and community engagement projects. Students gain an understanding of the way interconnected physical, institutional, and cultural systems shape our attitudes and behavior toward the environment.
Sustainability-Dedicated Student Organizations
Students have access to a multitude of student organizations on campus, as well as other opportunities to engage with GVSU’s Office of Sustainability Practices.
The Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP)
SAP is a physical place, and a scientific station, where students can go to research plants, the environment, human-environmental interaction, systems thinking, and community.
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