Sustainability, BS
Become a future-ready problem solver who tackles complex environmental, economic and societal challenges through science, systems thinking and hands-on experience. This degree opens pathways across industry, government, consulting, nonprofits and research.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Sustainability degree description
In the School of Sustainability, you tackle real-world challenges shaping the planet. Through hands-on projects, research with faculty and community engagement, you gain the skills and experience needed to create meaningful impact. The program emphasizes systems thinking and quantitative analytical skills.
If you love science and problem solving, the Bachelor of Science program in sustainability is for you. You dive into topics like sustainable energy, economics and ecosystem science, learning how to use data and systems thinking to create solutions for local and global challenges. You also build a strong foundation in science to explore how technology, policy and innovation can enhance environmental and social sustainability. You learn to understand and address complex sustainability challenges through a holistic, systems-based approach.
As a student in the program, you can be an active, engaged member of a community that helps drive ASU's No. 1 ranking for its impact in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Why study sustainability at ASU?
ASU is internationally recognized as a global leader in sustainability education, research and innovation, giving you unmatched access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge projects and industry partnerships. As the nation's most innovative university ranked number 1 for sustainability practices, ASU equips you with the interdisciplinary skills, hands-on experience and professional network to lead solutions to the world's most pressing environmental, social and economic challenges.
Additional details
Beyond your coursework, you can tap into a range of opportunities through the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, along with hundreds of study abroad options and student organizations across the broader ASU community.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SOS 110 Building a Sustainable World |
| CGF 150 Introduction to Climate Futures |
| SOS 102 Quantitative Reasoning for Sustainability |
| SOS 211 Calculus and Probability for the Life and Social Sciences |
| STP 231 Statistics for Life Science |
| SOS 220 Systems Thinking |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
ASU students who would like to change their major to sustainability are required to have a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 2.50, based on at least 12 credit hours of ASU coursework.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad webpage and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Change Analyst | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Environmental Economist | 4.7% | $124,720 | Learn more |
| Environmental Restoration Planner | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Environmental Specialist | 6.9% | $55,090 | Learn more |
| Hydrogeologist | 8.2% | $167,220 | Learn more |
| Park Ranger | 5.3% | $73,010 | Learn more |
| Recycling Coordinator | 3.0% | $62,890 | Learn more |
| Sustainability Specialist | 3.9% | $83,050 | Learn more |
| Transportation Planner | -0.2% | $101,110 | Learn more |
| Urban Planner | 3.9% | $89,320 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this sustainability degree prepares you for
The growing focus on sustainability is creating opportunities far beyond government and business. Careers now span nonprofits, community development, justice, equity and inclusion efforts. Roles include sustainability coordinators, managers and leaders.
Students can explore alumni employment data on theRob Walton College of Global Futures website to see where graduates are making an impact.
Graduates are highly valued by employers seeking people who can lead meaningful, long-term change. The program builds a strong foundation for graduate studies in both professional and academic fields.
Graduates leave with a deep understanding of complex systems across multiple disciplines. They excel in strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and clear communication --- skills strengthened through coursework and hands-on experiences. Their ability to build strong teams and collaborate across diverse settings prepares them to create real, lasting change for the planet and society.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Sustainability
|
WCPH 4th floor
cgfadvising@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
