Environmental Education, Certificate
Prepare to teach and inspire learners in schools, nature centers, museums, parks and zoos. This undergraduate certificate readies you to engage curious minds and connect diverse audiences with the natural world across a wide range of settings.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Environmental Education undergraduate certificate description
The certificate program in environmental education is for you --- whatever major you are in, or if you are a nontraditional educator. The program is designed to establish standards for professional excellence in environmental education, as outlined by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
Environmental education is taught in traditional classrooms and in community-serving organizations such as nature centers, museums, parks and zoos. The program's required coursework increases the environmental literacy of future educators, fosters community leadership strategies, and provides you with opportunities to practice environmental education teaching methods.
If you complete the certificate program, you're eligible to apply for the state-level environmental education certification recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
Why earn an environmental education undergraduate certificate at ASU?
ASU¿s environmental education undergraduate certificate prepares students from any major to turn their interest in the environment into meaningful action. Through interdisciplinary, hands-on coursework, students strengthen their environmental literacy while exploring biodiversity conservation, sustainability, biomimicry, natural history and global environmental issues. Students also develop practical skills in communication, critical thinking, community engagement, and the design of effective environmental learning experiences. The certificate complements a wide range of majors and prepares graduates to support environmental education and sustainability initiatives in schools, parks, museums, zoos, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and community programs. Certificate completers are also eligible to apply for the Arizona Association for Environmental Education¿s state-level professional certification.
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 |
|---|---|---|
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This certificate requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, 12 of which must be upper division. A "C" or better is required in all coursework.
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| Required Courses | ||
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3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 3 |
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6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 6 |
| Elective Courses | ||
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Any course not taken to satisfy the core requirements may be used to satisfy electives.
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 6 |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Design solutions to address environmental issues.
- Implement environmental education strategies in response to community needs.
Design solutions to address environmental issues.
Enrollment requirements
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
Study abroad is available through a twelve-day tropical ecology experience in Costa Rica. This Global Immersion Experience post-spring program allows students to apply what they have learned about the tropical biome, its flora and fauna, and its cultural and global value.
Other opportunities include a twelve-day biodiversity experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos. This Global Immersion Experience post-spring program provides students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned about biodiversity conservation, preservation and restoration of biodiversity and its impact on cultural and global populations.
The environmental education certificate program supports international internships. For example, several students have used the contacts and resources within the program to complete international internships in Costa Rica.
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 environmental education undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates who combine the certificate in environmental education with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in educational settings such as nonprofit organizations, nature centers, museums, parks and zoos.
The environmental education certificate does not lead to teacher certification.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Division for Advancing Education Policy, Practice
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ED 118
educationadvising@asu.edu
480-965-5555
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.
