Are you passionate about making a difference in the world?

Our changing world presents challenges that leaders in all sectors are called upon to address. Business, government, nonprofit and community leaders need to be prepared to effectively address complex social, environmental and economic issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequities, water and food scarcity. The Sustainability Double degree and Minor provide students with a rich interdisciplinary curriculum that explores sustainability issues in the world today and fosters the knowledge, skills and abilities to address complex sustainability issues in communities and workplaces.

In step with the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, the degree was designed to complement all OSU degree programs and is to be earned as a second Bachelor’s degree in addition to a major area of study. Students are finding that the additional credit hours of the degree can be easily incorporated into their desired academic timeline. We work with each student and their primary advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.

Students may obtain a Bachelor of Science, Sustainability after completing 32 credits of required and elective courses and a practicum, such as an internship or research project.

Students may earn a Sustainability Minor after completing 27 credits of required and elective courses.

Sustainability Double Degree & Minor Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of the Sustainability Double Degree and Minor requirements, students will be able to:

  1. Apply principles and theories of ecological science to issues of concern in environmental science, such as loss of biodiversity and use of nonrenewable resources (scientific literacy). 
  2. Read and interpret graphs and data, and explain sources of uncertainty in scientific data and environmental model predictions (scientific literacy).
  3. Demonstrate proficiency with sustainability assessment tools  and their application to various human systems.
  4. Interpret and apply available data and information to create sustainable solutions for desired future community/organizational conditions. 
  5. Communicate sustainability while collaborating with multiple audiences with diverse backgrounds and interests. Be able to write and talk with both experts and lay people about their special interest in sustainability.