Sustainability (Complex Adaptive Systems Science), PhD
Quick facts
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Credits
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.
Effective Spring 2027, ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Students interested in this program should explore earning the PhD in sustainability with a graduate certificate in complex adaptive systems science, or the PhD in complex adaptive systems science with a graduate certificate in sustainability. The two certificates can be added to almost any PhD program.
Degree description
Complex adaptive systems science is the study of interactive and dynamic systems that change over time.
The complex adaptive systems science concentration program under the Doctor of Philosophy in sustainability prepares you to be a part of the next generation of scientists, training you in advanced concepts and methods needed for approaching diverse phenomena in the social and life sciences. The program is tightly integrated with varied, ongoing, university-wide research on complex adaptive systems science at ASU and emphasizes the value of a complex adaptive systems science perspective for better insight and an active role in seeking solutions to a broad array of critical issues facing society today. You become fluent in the common language of complexity while also receiving a solid foundation in the domain knowledge of existing academic disciplines.
By broadly embedding an understanding of complex adaptive system-relevant approaches into the practice of normal science, you gain the ability to transform science. The program promotes the development and testing of more robust theories and sophisticated methods in a wider array of research settings needed to develop a deeper understanding of the nature and aspects of complex adaptive systems, which are grounded in concrete examples and applications.
The program prepares you to become a scientist and leader in research and to investigate the urgent sustainability challenges of this century. You gain an understanding of the need for a transdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability challenges; the ability to communicate your work to professionals in other disciplines, to policymakers and to the general public; and the breadth of vision to recognize the interconnectedness of social, economic, environmental and technical systems. The critical thinking skills you gain enable you to approach sustainability challenges from a systems perspective; you also gain the skills needed to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams and the technical skills to formulate and solve problems at the appropriate scale.
In addition to the common learning outcomes, you learn how to conduct research on particular sustainability challenges using standard skills, including the capacity to identify problems; to formulate and test hypotheses; to use statistical, econometric and geographical information system techniques to construct and analyze datasets; and to build and apply models. You prepare to lead others in the analysis and design of the built environment and institutions' policies, regulations and technologies to support sustainable development and lead others in applying these concepts and methods to the development of sustainable strategies for water, land, air and urban management at the local and global levels. You learn to understand the concepts and methods of a number of critical disciplines bearing on the sustainability of systems at different spatial and temporal scales.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
86 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (8 credit hours) Solutions Workshop Electives (6 credit hours) Open Electives (36 credit hours) Concentration (12 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the remaining coursework is made up of appropriate electives.
SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3)
SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3)
SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2)
CASS fundamentals (3)
mathematics of CASS (3)
modeling CASS (3)
application of CASS approaches (3)
SOS 792 Research (12)
SOS 799 Dissertation (12)
For open electives and concentration coursework, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Students should note that only six credit hours of 400-level coursework can be included on the plan of study.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. The school encourages applicants with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences that are relevant to the school's core objectives. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The statement of intent should not exceed 600 words and should describe how the applicant's background will contribute to success in the program, describe how completion of the degree will support the applicant's long-term career goals, and explain why the applicant is applying to the Rob Walton College of Global Futures and, more specifically, the doctoral program with a complex adaptive systems science concentration. The statement of intent should elaborate on key research questions the applicant wishes to address or problems they wish to solve as part of the plan of study, and it should identify potential faculty advisors. Letters of recommendation must be from three people who can attest to the applicant's academic and professional achievements. At least one letter should be academic in nature.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
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.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
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 recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Professionals with expertise in complex adaptive systems science are in high demand across sectors and industries, including business, government and academia. Experts in complexity, who can serve as a bridge between disciplines and scholars, are essential to solving a variety of sustainability challenges.
From the School of Sustainability's 2022 alumni employment survey, 100% of doctoral program respondents are employed. Of those respondents employed, 100% have jobs directly related to sustainability.
Career examples include:
- chief sustainability officer
- energy engineer
- environmental economist
- environmental restoration planner
- environmental sciences professor
- industrial ecology
- natural science manager
- professor
- program director
- research scientist
- sustainability consultant
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 3rd floor
SustainabilityGrad@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Admission deadlines
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.
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ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
