Chatham University
Master of Sustainability
From the local level to emerging global initiatives, sustainability principles are growing in importance and influence in all aspects of our society. Individuals and organizations are increasingly seeking to gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary to manage the complex challenges posed by sustainability. With the Master of Sustainability program, Chatham University is educating leaders to confront and address these challenges.
The Master of Sustainability at Chatham University's School of Sustainability and the Environment (SSE) is a two-year, full-time cohort program offering an innovative and unique approach to the study of sustainability. By identifying and finding solutions to real-world sustainability challenges, our students develop an academically sound, yet professionally-oriented understanding of how to simultaneously improve economic development, social justice, and the biophysical environment.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Sustainability is a full-time, cohort-based program. Students are required to complete core coursework along with the cohort they join. To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Sustainability degree program, students must successfully complete a minimum of 41 hours total credit hours, which include:
- 20 hours of core courses
- 21 hours of elective courses that constitute an area of specialization. The area of specialization may be one of several predetermined by the program, or may be designed by the student and approved by the students advisor and the dean.
- students may take more electives
- students are NOT limited to electives listed in SUS
- up to six hours of thesis and/or internship credit may count towards the area of specialization
All students are required to complete a 200-400 hour experience of immersion into a professional setting or field-based research setting. Ideally, students will fulfill this requirement by working or conducting research 20-40 hours/week over a 10-week period during the summer following the first two semesters in the program. A hybrid experience is also possible if a student wants to, for example, conduct research for an organization in a professional setting.
All students are also required to participate in co-curricular activities.