Sustainability, PhD
Generate new knowledge through faculty-mentored research, systems thinking and collaboration across disciplines, influencing policy, organizations and communities. Shape more resilient, sustainable futures as you pursue this sustainability degree.
Quick facts
Locations
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.
Sustainability, PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in sustainability prepares you to become a scientist and leader in research who investigates the urgent sustainability challenges of this century. The flexible, transdisciplinary nature of the program allows you to focus on problems of interest to you, drawing upon relevant knowledge from sustainability science and a variety of disciplines. This full-time program includes a high degree of faculty interaction and collaboration.
As a sustainability doctoral student, you gain a better understanding of the need for a transdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability challenges as well as the ability to communicate your research effectively to academic and nonacademic audiences alike.
In addition to the common learning outcomes, you are able to conduct research on particular sustainability challenges using theoretical lenses and methods from sustainability science and a range of complementary disciplines. You learn to translate sustainability challenges to tractable research questions, develop a portfolio of quantitative and qualitative research methods to address these research questions, formulate and test hypotheses, utilize rigorous elicitation methods to gather qualitative and quantitative datasets, learn to engage with stakeholders to coproduce knowledge, use statistical and other analytic techniques to analyze data, and build and apply models of social-ecological systems.
You develop expertise in the analysis of institutional policies and regulations, as well as the design of the built environment and technologies, to support sustainable development. You also develop the foundational knowledge of concepts and methods required to conduct interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and effectively communicate your findings across academic disciplines, as well as to policymakers and the general public.
Why earn your sustainability PhD at ASU?
Learn within ASU's School of Sustainability, the first degree-granting school of its kind in the United States, and the collaborative ecosystem of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. This combination prepares you to become an internationally recognized scholar and research leader who advances sustainability science and creates measurable impact on society and the environment.
Additional details
Beyond your coursework and research, 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.
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 (11 credit hours) Solutions Workshop Electives (6 credit hours) Open Electives (45 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 up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this program. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the remaining coursework is to be made up of appropriate electives.
SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3)
SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3)
SOS 525 Social-Ecological-Technical Systems (SETS): Domains and Interfaces (3)
SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2)
SOS 792 Research (12)
SOS 799 Dissertation (12)
Students take SOS 589 twice for one credit hour. For electives, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Other coursework may be used with the approval of the academic unit. Only six credit hours of 400-level coursework can be included in 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 are eligible to apply to the program if they 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 long-term career goals, elaborate on key research questions the applicant wishes to address or problems to solve as part of the plan of study, and 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 receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this sustainability PhD degree prepares you for
Graduates acquire an advanced understanding of sustainability frameworks, the dynamics of coupled social-ecological-technical systems, and research methods for qualitative and quantitative data. They use this knowledge to conduct original interdisciplinary research to address urgent sustainability challenges. They are equipped to lead others in the development of sustainable strategies at the local, national and global levels.
Professionals with expertise in sustainability science, interdisciplinary research methods, and analytic tools are in high demand across industries, including business, academia and government. Students can explore alumni employment data for career insights on theRob Walton College of Global Futures employment data page.
Career possibilities for program graduates include:
- chief sustainability officer
- data analyst
- environmental scientist
- geographic information systems coordinator
- professor
- program manager or director
- research scientist
- sustainability consultant
- sustainability policy advisor
- sustainability specialist
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.
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.
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.
