Sustainable Food Systems, Certificate
Pair the sustainable food systems certificate with nearly any major and prepare yourself to address food security, sustainability and community well-being. Regardless of your field of study, you'll build skills to strengthen how communities grow, share and access food.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Sustainable Food Systems undergraduate certificate description
Food systems are particularly important for human societies to sustain; however, these systems are particularly vulnerable to multiple threats. Whatever your discipline, food and sustainability are becoming increasingly relevant issues to employers in fields across the public and private sectors.
This certificate program in sustainable food systems enables you to take advantage of the diversity of courses offered that address challenges to food system sustainability. You're encouraged to cover a breadth of topics and perspectives related to food system issues. You also have the opportunity to focus on particular skills and approaches suitable for your career path, in areas as varied as agriculture, marketing, retail, policy and ethics. This program offers an innovative and exciting approach to the challenges of food system sustainability.
Because of the transdisciplinary nature of the certificate program, many courses are found across ASU's campuses, allowing you to choose the focus area and location of study that best fit your needs.
The knowledge, competencies and skills you have upon completion of this certificate include the ability to identify food system drivers, activities, actors and outcomes at different spatial scales; and the capacity to assess the primary social, economic and environmental drivers and outcomes associated with food system sustainability challenges.
You also acquire the ability to apply the following analytical skills or approaches to the development of food system sustainability solutions: cultural and social analysis, alternative agricultural design and practice, analysis of biophysical processes and environmental services, urban planning and policy, marketing and entrepreneurial development, sustainability assessment, and consumer preference and behavior.
Why earn a sustainable food systems undergraduate certificate at ASU?
In 2023, ASU's Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems teamed with three other universities and FoodCorps to secure a grant focused on training the next generation of food systems leaders. As you work through the program, you can tap into scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students studying sustainable food systems, paid internship opportunities and workshops that help you navigate USAjobs.
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
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 is upper division. |
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| Required Course | ||
|
SFS 215 Fundamentals of Sustainable Food Systems
(SUST)
or
SFS 216 The Sustainable Plate
(SUST)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
| Sustainable Food Systems Tier Electives | ||
|
Students must choose four tier electives. A minimum of two courses must be selected from Tier 1 Core electives, and no more than two courses from the same subject prefix across both Tiers 1 and 2 should be selected.
|
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|
ENG 367 and PUP 498 must be taken with the specific titles/topics indicated.
|
||
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Tier Electives are not limited to courses from this list only. Other courses on food systems may be offered (special topics, etc.). Students may request to have those approved as an elective for this certificate by submitting a College of Global Futures Standards Petition. |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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Enrollment requirements
Advising is not required, but students are encouraged to speak with an advisor by scheduling an appointment through Robert Walton College of Global Futures advising.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Explore expanded study opportunities
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 estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this sustainable food systems undergraduate certificate prepares you for
A certificate in sustainable food systems provides a distinct and valuable skill set that transcends traditional career boundaries. Whether graduates are pursuing paths in business, technology, science, education or government, the knowledge of sustainable food systems enriches their ability to drive positive change.
This certificate brings a fresh perspective to various sectors, including agriculture, consumer goods, public health and education. Graduates are equipped to address pressing issues such as environmental sustainability, farm-to-table practices, nutrition and urban agriculture. Graduates stand out in a competitive job market, offering versatile skills that can be applied across diverse career landscapes.
By integrating sustainable food systems principles into their education and future endeavors, graduates become catalysts for transformative change, shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for all. This certificate not only broadens their career horizons but also empowers them to make a lasting impact in their chosen fields.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
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.
