Master of Science in Sustainability

The Master of Science in Sustainability degree is offered entirely ONLINE. The program informs students about theoretical and practical issues relevant to sustainability – great preparation for communicating problems with stakeholders and implementing real-world solutions to work towards a sustainable society.

This inter-disciplinary and innovative program provides students with knowledge that enables understanding of the complex relationship between environmental factors, natural systems, economic structures, legal frameworks, socio-political forces and policy options. The challenges and solutions relating to a sustainable future lean on these comprehensive ideas.

Students will earn a valuable degree that will help gain personal fulfillment and obtain appropriate employment as the fields relating to sustainability become increasingly important in government, academia and industry.

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An Emerging Profession

The Sustainability degree prepares students from a variety of backgrounds for career advancement or career change. An analysis of job openings shows a growing demand for professionals who focus on sustainability, as well as positions where knowledge of sustainability is noted as a preferred qualification.

Graduates of the BHSU Master of Science in Sustainability program will have the preparation for leadership sustainability positions in:

• City planners
• Architects
• Physical plant managers
• Policy analysts
• Construction managers
• Lawyers
• Communication professionals
• Scientists
• Industrial technologists

A degree in this program will give students the edge needed to advance in future careers while making a difference in the environment.

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Requirements

3 - SUST 510 Fundamentals of Sustainability
3 - SUST 520 Science of Sustainability
3 - SUST 530 Environmental Economics
3 - SUST 710 Human Dimensions of Sustainability
3 - SUST 720 Communication and Change
3 - SUST 730 Environmental Law & Policy
3 - SUST 750 Quantitative Methods in Sustainability
6 - SUST 785 Capstone (I and II)
6 - Elective Course
33 Total Credits

BHSU takes the lead in going Green

BHSU was the first South Dakota University to join the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, a consortium of 400 universities across the nation dedicated to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Two BHSU buildings – the Life Sciences Lab and the Student Union – have earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. As the first state building to earn this standard, the Student Union is used as a model for demonstration of energy efficiencies, and an educational tool for BHSU students and others in the community.

The University has many “green” initiatives including a campus garden, wind turbine, a recycling program, solar panels and utilizes many other energy efficiencies. BHSU students are actively embracing sustainability in their classrooms with a national grant funded solar cell research project, business plans for an innovative mobile recycling business, and art projects and lesson plans that incorporate sustainability aspects.