Sustainability, Minor
Build the versatility to tackle complex environmental, social and economic challenges within your own field. Instead of steering you toward one specific sustainability career, this minor shapes you into a professional ready to solve real problems wherever your path leads.
Quick facts
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minor description
Sustainability minor description
In the sustainability minor program, you learn how to think critically and creatively about the world's most pressing social, environmental and economic challenges. The program explores sustainability principles and shows how they can be applied across all fields, including engineering, business, sociology, policy, planning and the arts.
In the minor, you examine how human societies, economies, cultures and technologies interact within local, national and global contexts, developing systems-thinking skills that'll prepare you to make informed, ethical and collaborative decisions.
Designed to complement almost any major, the sustainability minor equips you with the tools to lead positive change, whether you are improving community resilience, advancing clean energy solutions, or shaping equitable policies for a more sustainable world.
Why earn a sustainability minor at ASU?
Earn your minor within a college whose mission is to prepare you to be a future-builder who can navigate uncertainty, work across disciplines and help solve the emerging global challenges of tomorrow.
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 minor 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 minor requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the minor, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The minor in sustainability requires 18 total credit hours. |
||
| Core Requirements | ||
|
CGF 150 Introduction to Climate Futures
or
SFS 216 The Sustainable Plate
(SUST)
or
SOS 111 Sustainable Cities
(SUST)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
SOS 110 Building a Sustainable World
(SUST)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
| SOS/SFS Electives | ||
|
SOS Elective
or
SFS Elective
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Upper Division
SOS Elective
or
Upper Division
SFS Elective
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
|
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: None
Incompatible Majors: BA in business (sustainability); BA in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in sustainability; BS in public service and public policy (sustainability); BA in sustainability; BS in sustainability; BS in sustainable food systems
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.
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 sustainability minor prepares you for
A minor in sustainability opens doors to impactful careers across industries, including business, technology, education, science, government and the nonprofit sector. This interdisciplinary program gives students a distinctive edge, blending sustainability expertise with their primary field of study to meet the growing demand for professionals who can lead with purpose.
Graduates have learned to apply sustainability principles to real-world challenges, in areas such as developing resilient urban systems and advancing clean energy, and crafting equitable policies and promoting community well-being. Whether designing sustainable business solutions or shaping environmental strategies, students emerge prepared to make meaningful contributions to their organizations and to society.
By embracing sustainability, graduates don't just boost their employability, they become changemakers, helping build a more resilient, just and sustainable future.
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.
