Otago Polytechnic Offers Graduate Degree in Sustainable Practice
Otago Polytechnic's (New Zealand) Centre for Sustainable Practices has begun offering a new graduate diploma in sustainable practice. The program offers students hands-on learning experience with the chance to participate in the development of projects with local businesses. The university also offers a certificate in sustainable practice.
UK Students See Sustainability Curriculum as Essential
A new research report by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) reveals that freshman students believe their university should be responsible for actively incorporating and promoting sustainable development to prepare students for the workforce. The online survey of more than 5,760 first-year students in the United Kingdom shows that more than 80 percent of respondents believe sustainability skills are important to their future employers and that employers anticipate a need to employ staff with these skills. The survey also revealed that 65 percent of respondents believe that sustainability skills should be delivered throughout the curriculum rather than through a separate module and 63 percent are prepared to sacrifice £1,000 in salary to work for a sustainably aware company. With increasing tuition fees on the horizon, the report aims to provide higher education institutions with timely information on the expectations of current students and give insight into students' decision-making processes on where to study. The research highlights a range of recommendations targeting administrations, academic staff, government officials, student union representatives and funding councils.
College of the Canyons to Debut Solar Energy Certificate
College of the Canyons (CA) has announced plans to offer solar and other alternative energy courses this fall. The college’s solar energy technician certificate program will include "Introduction to Energy Technology," "Solar Photovoltaic Systems" and "Solar Thermal Systems." College officials are currently in the process of developing additional solar technology and energy program options in the areas of photovoltaic sales and customer service, weatherization and energy-efficient technology, energy code compliance and energy auditing.
Lewis U Offers Renewable Energy Training to Teachers
With a $160,000 grant from the state, Lewis University (IL) recently held a two-week workshop on green and renewable energy for teachers. The workshop combines lectures, videos, field trips, computer exercises, hands-on experiments and ongoing self-guided action research projects. The goal is for the first-year participants to serve as mentors regarding renewable energy education to others in their schools.
Molloy College Offers Green Building Design Training
Molloy College (NY) has announced that it will offer green building and design training programs. The college has teamed up with Forever Green Training and Sustainable Design to offer courses that will prepare students for LEED accreditation. The new offerings include two LEED Green Associate Plus certificate programs and a Principles of Sustainable Design.
Wilfrid Laurier U, Ghana Partner for Curriculum Exchange
In an effort to strengthen its academic program in the areas of global citizenship and social justice, Wilfrid Laurier University (ON) has announced a teleconferencing curriculum initiative with Ghana. Part of the university's Global Studies and Human Rights and Human Diversity departments, the initiative will deliver courses jointly to students from the university and Ghana's Ashesi University via video conferencing. Twenty-three Wilfrid Laurier students will also receive funding for internships in Ghana, and four graduate students from Ghana's University of Cape Coast will receive internships to study at Wilfrid Laurier. The program is funded by a $264,000 four-year grant through the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada through its Students for Development program.
Gwinnett Technical College Offers New Green Programs
Gwinnett Technical College (GA) has begun offering a variety of courses, seminars and workshops on energy conservation, sustainability and green building practices for business professionals in construction and related fields. The college will also offer the nationally recognized Building Operator Certification course that promotes the use of energy management resources to improve a facility’s energy efficiency. The institution was also recently honored with the Green Reach Award for its efforts to provide a sustainability-focused curriculum.
Penn State U Hazelton Offers Alternative Energy Degree
Pennsylvania State University, Hazelton has announced that it will offer a bachelor's degree in general engineering with an alternative energy and power generation track. The program will prepare students to design wind turbines, make buildings and businesses more efficient energy consumers, and perfect systems to receive power from nature. The curriculum will focus on design, research, manufacturing and technical sales for new energy industries.
Macomb CC, Dept. of Energy Partner for Electric Vehicle Training
As a complement to the Obama Administration's recent launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, Macomb Community College (MI) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a series of new manufacturing job training partnerships. The college will use the National Training and Education Resource, an open-source integration platform that brings together information technologies to support education, training and workforce development, to enhance several of its electric vehicle oriented courses.
Mercyhurst College Launches New Sustainability Programs
Mercyhurst College (PA) has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Arts degree and post-baccalaureate certificate in sustainability studies. Since 2006, the college has offered a sustainability studies minor and a concentration in sustainability studies within the chemistry and biology departments. Interest among students prompted the college’s decision to convert it to a new major with its own requirements.
U North Texas Debuts Sustainable Tourism Graduate Program
The University of North Texas' School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management has partnered with CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) in Costa Rica for a joint master's degree program in international sustainable tourism. The degree offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability and tourism with one year of study in each country. It is designed to prepare students for management and leadership positions in ecotourism and sustainable tourism, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural benefits and concerns.
Central Arizona College Debuts Renewable Energy Associate Degree
With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Community-Based Job Training Alternative Energy Grant, Central Arizona College has debuted a renewable energy program. The college offers a renewable energy technician associate degree that is transferable to all three of Arizona’s state universities. The program focuses on interdisciplinary and outreach learning approaches to train students to develop the skills required to succeed in high growth industries. The college also offers solar energy and biofuel technician certificates.
Owens CC to Offer Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Program
Owens Community College (OH) has announced that it will offer a new urban agriculture and sustainability certificate program. The program will require 26 credit hours of coursework including plant science, soil science, greenhouse management, urban livestock and animal husbandry, organic gardening and food systems management, harvest and post-harvest technology, and urban horticulture and sustainability. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various experiential learning laboratory projects at Toledo GROW’s Oneida Greenhouse.
Santa Clara U Creates Department of Environmental Studies
Santa Clara University (CA) has approved the creation of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences. As a part of creating the new department, the university will also transform the environmental studies companion major into a stand-alone major with coursework that focuses on societal responses to environmental problems. The curriculum includes environmental law, policy, economics and sustainable development.
Wake Technical CC Students Install Solar Hot Water System
Students in Wake Technical Community College’s (NC) solar thermal training class have installed a solar hot water system in a specially outfitted trailer on campus. The project is part of the Green Building Training Program, designed to ready technicians and small business owners with the knowledge and skills to market themselves in the growing green economy. Solar thermal is one of four short-term “green” training classes being offered through a partnership with the City of Raleigh’s Office of Sustainability.
The New School Debuts Enviro Policy & Sustainable Mgmt Program
The New School's (NY) Milano Management and Urban Policy school will offer a new Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management graduate program starting in fall 2011. Offered on a part-time or full-time basis, the program is designed to prepare graduates for roles as planners, managers, policy analysts and consultants in defining environmental policy and giving support to institutions that seek to enhance their sustainability performance.
CNBC Highlights Green Job Training at Community Colleges
More than $500 million of stimulus money for education is targeted for green job training, says recent CNBC article “Hype Aside, ‘Green Jobs’ Are For Real.” The article highlights the growing "green" industry and the efforts of higher education institutions to meet the challenge of training students for “green-collar” jobs. Programs at Columbia Gorge Community College (OR), St. Phillip’s Community College (TX) and Lane Community College (OR) are featured for their alignment with the Sustainable Education and Economic Development Center, which helps community colleges develop green job training programs.
Concordia U Launches Sustainable Investment Certificate
Created in response to the growing interest in sustainable investment approaches, Concordia University's (QC) John Molson School of Business has launched a sustainable investment professional certificate. The program is designed to provide professionals in the finance, investment and corporate world with a unique set of skills, knowledge and analytical thinking.
Living Routes Earns Innovation in Sustainability Award
Living Routes, a program that partners with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst to run ecovillage-based programs around the world, has received the first annual Innovation in Sustainability Award from international education and experiential travel resource GoAbroad. Presented at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference and Expo this month, the awards acknowledge institutions, organizations and individuals who are creating initiatives to move the field of international education forward and going beyond the conventional. Highlighted Living Routes efforts included co-founding the Green Passport Program, pioneering virtual tabling at study abroad fairs and advocating for "carbon consciousness" in the field of international education.
Northern Wake Tech CC Offers Free Solar Installation Course
Northern Wake Technical Community College (NC) has partnered with the City of Raleigh’s Office of Sustainability to offer a free solar photovoltaic installer course as part of the Green Building Training Series. The curriculum for the course is based on the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Solar Photovoltaic Installer job task analysis. Students should gain a thorough understanding of the tools used to complete site evaluations, perform necessary measurements and calculations, and specify balance of system components. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
Clackamas CC Students Will Construct Wind Turbines
Clackamas Community College (OR) has announced the creation of the Homebuilt Wind Turbine workshop that focuses on the mechanical and electronic processes of making a wind turbine. Students will have the opportunity to construct and assemble a wind turbine from scratch using everyday hand tools. Turbines constructed by students will generate approximately 20-kilowatts of electricity a day. The workshop’s $350 fee will go to creating a 12-foot wind turbine on campus.
Indiana U Announces Sustainability Course Development Fellowships
Two Sustainability Course Development Fellowships have been awarded to Indiana University Bloomington faculty. This year’s recipients will receive $8,000 to provide support for newly developed courses in sustainability. The two courses are “Exploring the Challenges of Sustainability: Ecology & Society” and “Sustainability Law & Policy.” The fellowship represents an instructional component of a broad-based initiative originally developed by the university’s Task Force on Campus Sustainability. It is intended to provide support for individual faculty members interested in expanding their teaching into topics related to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
U California Berkeley Announces Energy-Related Law Degree
The University of California, Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group and Berkeley Law have announced a new concurrent degree program. Reflecting a growing interest in energy-related legal work and a spike in job opportunities within the field, students will now be able to earn both a J.D. and an M.S. or M.A. after four years of study. With more law students moving toward energy than ever before, says the director of Berkeley Law's environmental law program in the article, this new degree will enhance the law school's overall energy program and gives the school a competitive edge. "It was very rare five to 10 years ago," he says, "to have a student interested specifically in energy. Now it's one of the areas where law firms are hiring aggressively, even with the economic downturn."
U Oregon Launches Grad Sustainability Certificate Program
The University of Oregon has announced a new one-year graduate certificate program, "Oregon Leadership in Sustainability." Housed in the Department of Public Policy, Planning and Management, the sustainability "boot camp" will provide 30 students a year with the hands-on skills and experiences needed to contribute to a professional work environment engaged in sustainability issues including public agencies, nonprofits and private firms. The program's three components include leadership skills; core courses in energy and climate change issues and solutions for cities, green cities and ecological design; and a practicum working on projects for a real client.
Green Mountain College Creates Sustainable Food Studies Program
Green Mountain College (VT) has announced a new master’s degree in sustainable food systems. The program builds on the interest in food and agriculture issues in the U.S. and on the success of the college’s undergraduate major in sustainable agriculture. The primary objective of the new program is to educate leaders in food and agricultural systems with a graduate-level interdisciplinary program focused on sustainable production and knowledge of the economic, ecological and social forces driving food systems.
U Hawaii Maui College Debuts Sustainable Science Mgmt Degree
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has granted provisional status for a new undergraduate degree in sustainable science management to debut at the University of Hawaii Maui College in fall 2011. With a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, the degree program provides green industry workforce training and integrates topics in energy, ecology, business and management, water and wastewater, agriculture, wastewater management, economics, policy and social science.
Colorado Mountain College Creates Sustainability Studies Degree
Colorado Mountain College has announced the creation of a bachelor's degree in sustainability studies. The program will focus on the economy, environment and social equity. Faculty studied programs offered at 30 colleges before designing coursework that will incorporate business, science and literature studies.
U Florida Announces New Sustainability Studies Program
The University of Florida has announced a new sustainability studies major that will start in fall 2011. The interdisciplinary program will investigate the means to maintain environmental health, create economic welfare and pursue social justice. Students will gain an understanding of how these goals are interdependent and explore how they best can be pursued over the long term on local, national and global scales. Students will also be required to take part in internships or service learning projects.
Washington State U Vancouver to Offer Renewable Energy Option
Washington State University, Vancouver has received a $250,500 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to develop curriculum in renewable energy. The program will develop and combine eight courses from mechanical engineering, computer science and electrical engineering. Students majoring in any of the programs will have the opportunity to complete the renewable energy option. Solar energy and wind power will be the primary focus of the course work. The grant will also be used to equip an energy systems laboratory and radio frequency communications laboratory. Courses will begin in spring 2012.
Central College Creates Global Sustainability Minor
Central College (IA) has created a global sustainability minor to be offered in fall 2011. The program is designed to offer all students a means of acquiring some of the tools and practical experience needed to enter the workforce and deal with complex issues focusing on the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability. The minor requires 20-22 hours of class study and students must complete two courses including "Introduction to Environmental Science" and "Global Sustainability."
U Mass Amherst Launches Sustainable Food and Farming Certificate
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced a new sustainable food and farming certificate program that is open to the public. Available this summer, the 15-credit program is designed to serve students who are not able to make a commitment to a four-year degree but still want to earn college credentials. Available entirely online or by mixing online and campus classes, the program will offer sustainable farming systems, education, and public policy and advocacy areas of study.
Western Kentucky U Creates Master's in Social Responsibility
Western Kentucky University has announced a new master's degree in social responsibility and sustainable communities, scheduled to begin in fall 2011. The graduate program will provide students from diverse backgrounds the tools to lead communities toward social justice and sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to conduct an action research project to understand relevant community issues and to identify possible solutions. The program has core courses and additional electives, with or without a thesis option, for a total of 33 hours.
Bristol CC Receives $900K for Green Energy Curriculum
Including partnerships with area businesses and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Bristol Community College (MA) has announced a new Sustainability and Green Energy Across the Curriculum initiative. With a three-year, $900,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the college will now offer concentrations in solar energy and wind energy including a new green building technologies certificate.
Fielding Graduate U Debuts Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Developed in response to demand from practitioners and executives who want to remain competitive and effective, Fielding Graduate University's (CA) School of Human and Organizational Development has announced a new sustainability leadership certificate program. The program is designed to give students an understanding of sustainability through an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates ecological, economic, cultural and organizational theory and research.
Fleming College Debuts Green Business Mgmt Certificate
Fleming College has announced a new green business management graduate certificate program that will be offered at its Sutherland Campus in January 2012. Offered in a format to accommodate those working full-time, the program will provide students with skills to promote and lead sustainability and green practices in business and industrial sectors.
U Arkansas Announces Minor in Sustainability
The University of Arkansas has announced that it will begin offering an undergraduate minor in sustainability. The new program will provide foundational knowledge and skills related to sustainability, organized by four thematic areas including social systems, natural systems, built systems and managed systems. Students can declare the minor starting this summer.
Ball State U to Offer Sustainability Minor
Ball State University (IN) announced plans for a new minor in sustainability during a recent 10th anniversary celebration of its Council on the Environment. The program, to be offered in fall 2011, will explore issues including systems theory, values and ethics, atmosphere and climate, population, energy, water, land, food (land-based and freshwater/marine-based), health (disease and nutrition), materials (resource harvesting, resource limitations and resource recycling), natural biological systems, and economies and poverty. The minor aims to prepare students to be able to describe social, environmental and economic elements of long-term human survival; understand the systems nature of the interrelationships among social, environmental and economic elements of civilization; articulate their personal values as related to this complexity; and apply concepts of sustainability in decision making.
Kansas City Kansas CC to Offer Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Cert
Kansas City Kansas Community College's Technical Education Center will offer an Automotive Hybrid and Electric Vehicle certificate program in fall 2011. The 40-hour technician certificate level program will allow students with automotive training or experience to understand operation and service for hybrid and electrical vehicles and expand their skills in the new technology.
U Notre Dame to Offer 2 New Sustainability Minors
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has announced plans to offer two new sustainability minors in fall 2011. The interdisciplinary minors, sustainability and energy studies, will be available to students in any major and will offer technical and non-technical course focuses to appeal to the greatest percentage of students as possible.
Duke U to Offer New Sustainable Systems Analysis Certificate
Duke University (NC) has announced a new two-year sustainable systems analysis certificate program. Beginning fall 2011, the certificate is designed to give students in-depth working knowledge of the economic, environmental, technological and social forces driving sustainability in the global marketplace today. The program will be open to students pursuing degrees in environmental management, engineering management, public policy and business administration.
Students Install Solar Panels at Fleming College
Students in a "Solar Installation and Maintenance" course at Fleming College (ON) recently completed the installation of 25 solar panels on the college's Alderville Band buildings. The six-month course also includes 350 hours of classroom training.
Berkshire CC to Establish Sustainable Energy Training Center
Berkshire Community College (MA) has received a $201,067 grant from the Northeast Utilities Foundation to convert its Ralph Hoffmann Environmental Center into the Sustainable Energy Resource Training Center. This new center will provide certification programs for workers interested in joining the renewable energy workforce. Programs will provide training in the development and installation of solar heating, wind and photovoltaic systems, as well as for energy auditors and for technicians trained in weatherization.
U Nevada Reno to Host Geothermal Academy
The University of Nevada, Reno is scheduled to host the nation’s first National Geothermal Academy at its Redfield campus in June. The eight-week educational program is a consortium of national leaders in the geothermal field from colleges and universities throughout the nation. Professionals from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other companies will teach the 40 students who have been selected through a competitive application process.
Daemen College Debuts New Global and Local Sustainability Degree
Daemen College (NY) will offer a new interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in global and local sustainability starting in fall 2011. Students can choose from areas of concentration including liberal arts, business, health care studies and education. Internship opportunities will help students further their skills in economic and social development and cultural and historical preservation, and prepare for environmental careers in government, nonprofits and private businesses.
American U Announces New Sustainability Mgmt Program, Director
American University (DC) has announced that it will enroll the first class of its new sustainability management graduate program in fall 2012. Dan Jacobs, a faculty member in the university's Kogod School of Business, has been appointed to serve as director of the new program. The interdisciplinary business degree will combine coursework from multiple academic units at American University and students may choose to specialize in one of three tracks including business, science and policy.
U Georgia Debuts Local Food Systems Certificate Program
The University of Georgia was recently awarded a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop an interdisciplinary Local Food Systems certificate program. Students will complete 18 hours of coursework with foundation, capstone and internship project-based experiences for a strong foundation for a career in local food issues. A significant component of the grant proposal for the certificate is to develop more academic service-learning opportunities focused on local food issues.
U New Mexico to Create Sustainable Enviro Food Systems Program
The University of New Mexico Sustainability Studies Program has received a $1.5 million grant for an endowed chair in sustainable and environmental food systems and $150,000 in start-up funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The project is intended to provide a professional career path for students interested in pursuing sustainable agriculture and food security issues. Students will work with community groups using media arts, ecology and community engagement. Outreach and research will focus on local foodsheds as integrated systems of land, skill, regional plant varieties, infrastructure and markets.
Pepperdine U Debuts Social, Enviro, Ethical Business Certificate
Pepperdine University's (CA) Graziadio School of Business and Management has launched a certificate in Socially, Environmentally and Ethically Responsible (SEER) business practices. The program allows students to complement their MBA degree with courses and activities that will prepare them to apply SEER values to companies across a diverse range of industries.
RIT Offers Master of Architecture with Sustainable Focus
The Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has announced a new Master of Architecture program that will begin in the fall, with curriculum that focuses on the areas of sustainability, urbanism and integrated practice such as energy efficiency. A collaboration between the school's Golisano Institute for Sustainability and the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, the program is founded upon the principle that architecture programs can no longer afford to teach anything other than sustainable architecture. In addition to courses in industrial ecology, sustainable science and sustainable buildings, traditional courses in design, theory and history will be taught through the lens of sustainability. Students will also have opportunities to collaborate with research labs and academic programs in pollution prevention, sustainable engineering, urban and community studies, and public policy.
San Diego State U Offers Green Job Training Certificates
San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies (CA) was recently profiled for its foresight in offering sustainable energy certificate programs that will meet the increasing need of the region’s green labor market. In addition to the Green Building Construction certificate that launched in 2008, the university now offers online certificates in Commercial and Residential Sustainable Practices and Green Energy Management.
