The Sustainability Studies major explores the relationship between humans and the environment through an interdisciplinary curriculum. This Alaska-based program encourages you to explore Alaska’s cultural and ecological diversity and directly experience the strong connections between the landscape and its communities. Focusing on the ‘triple bottomline’ of sustainability, students draw together studies addressing people, the planet, and the economy.

In the Sustainability Studies major, you will develop an individualized study plan, allowing you to customize your educational experience. With the guidance of an academic advisor, you will choose from various topics, including sustainability, climate change, environmental problem-solving, agriculture, energy, fisheries, and water. This flexible program encourages you to take courses throughout the entire university. A typical study plan may include courses from Liberal Studies, Outdoor Studies, Psychology, Environmental Science, Education, and Business. Once a plan is established, you will develop relationships with federal, state, and local non-profit agencies through internships and course projects that prepare you to enter the workforce in your field of expertise. This hands-on experience provides you with the professional experience sought by a range of employers.

Alaska is positioned on the cusp of great change and great challenges within its terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric environments. Opportunities abound for those who can work across disciplines to study, publicize, manage, and/or predict these challenges. This major is specifically designed for exceptional students who are interested in addressing today’s multidisciplinary, environmental challenges.

As a Sustainability Studies major, you will earn a bachelor of arts degree and achieve the following competencies:

Critical Thinking (CT):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to analysis, problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making

Informed Inquiry (II):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to observation, methodology, methods of interpretation, historical perspective, information literacy, and research

Effective Communication (EC):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to written communication, public presentation, clarity of one’s own expression through various forms, systems, and media, and appreciation for meaning, tone, style, nuance, and context of other’s communications

Creativity (CR):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to innovation, fluency of ideas, flexibility in approach, elaboration, and entrepreneurship

Self Direction (SD):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to resilience, goal setting, project management, professionalism, reflection, and self-understanding

Social Responsibility (SR):  demonstrating knowledge and skills related to advocacy, activism, leadership, service, and regard for one’s own and other’s historical, social, cultural, religious, and ethical backgrounds