Falk School of Sustainability & Environment

Discover Sustainability and Environmental Science Programs at Chatham University

One of the earliest schools of its kind in the country, the Falk School is a leader in sustainability education, preparing students to address current and future environmental and sustainability challenges. The Falk School's sustainability and environmental programs prepare students to become leaders in sustainability, environmental science, conservation, and community resilience.

Photo of three Chatham University students working in an Eden Hall Campus lab

Bachelor of Sustainability Degree Program

The Falk School has responded to challenging ecological and economic times with an innovative sustainability degree program: the Bachelor of Sustainability. As a graduate of our program, you can do more than tell employers what you're capable of doing; you'll be able to show them what you've done through hands-on sustainability and environmental learning experiences.

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Bachelor of Environmental Science Degree

Chatham University is at the forefront of environmental science, environmental studies, and sustainability education. The environmental science degree program provides students with an interdisciplinary, scientific perspective to help them develop an evidence-based approach to environmental challenges. Employment for environmental scientists continues to grow due to increasing focus on energy, climate change, sustainability, and infrastructure challenges.

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Bachelor of Arts in Food Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Food Studies (BAFS) offers a blend of practical skill-building and perspectives on food systems, sustainability, and agriculture through the analysis of social, cultural, economic, and environmental topics. It prepares students for multi-faceted careers and professional engagement in a wide variety of sectors in food and agriculture, with the skill sets to address the practical, economic, community, and social justice issues that are a hallmark of contemporary food systems careers.

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Photo of Shauna Kearns, MAFS '15 kneading bread dough

Master of Arts in Food Studies

The Masters of Arts in Food Studies (MAFS) emphasizes a holistic approach to food systems, from agriculture and food production to cuisines and consumption, providing practical experience from field to table. One of the greatest attributes our food studies education supplies is deep understanding.

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Food Studies and Sustainable Tourism students at a street vendor

Master of Arts in Food Studies and Sustainable Tourism

In the Master of Arts in Food Studies and Sustainable Tourism (MFSST) program, students spend one year in Chatham’s Food Studies program and one year in the Tropical Agricultural Research and Education Center (CATIE)’s Sustainable International Tourism program in Costa Rica, building knowledge through hands-on experience in sustainable tourism, food systems, and global sustainability studies across two renowned programs.

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Photo of four Chatham University students in a lab on Eden Hall Campus, working on a model of a forest

Master of Sustainability

The Master of Sustainability (MSUS) program in the Falk School prepares students with systems-level thinking to address local and global sustainability challenges and become the agents of change that corporations, governments, and organizations need to lead sustainability and environmental initiatives.

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Master of Sustainability+MBA Dual Degree

This dual degree program leverages the strengths of Chatham’s Master of Sustainability and Master of Business Administration (MSUS+MBA) programs to develop sustainability leadership and business management skills. The MSUS + MBA positions graduates for leadership roles in sustainability, environmental management, corporate responsibility, government, and NGOs.

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Master of Sustainability in Community Planning

Chatham's Master of Sustainability in Community Planning (MSPC) aims to cultivate innovative leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and advocate for sustainable solutions in urban and rural environments. Students develop expertise in sustainability planning, community development, and environmental resilience.

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Master of Sustainability in Environmental Management

Chatham's Master of Sustainability in Environmental Management (MSEM) is dedicated to developing forward-thinking professionals equipped to tackle today’s environmental and sustainability challenges. Using scientific knowledge, policy analysis, and practical skills, graduates create sustainable solutions that balance ecological integrity, economic viability, and social equity.

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EcoChef

EcoChef is the first comprehensive accreditation program tailored to culinary and design professionals, focusing on electrification, decarbonization, and sustainability.

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Eden Hall

Located 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh, Chatham's Eden Hall is the world's first academic community built from the ground up for sustainability. The grounds and infrastructure support research and learning around energy and climate; water and aquaculture; food and agriculture; community and health; and design and planning. The farm produces thousands of pounds of food for our campus cafeterias, culinary courses, community meals, and food pantries on and off campus. As a Falk School student, you will balance your time between the Shadyside Campus and Eden Hall.

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Funding at the Falk School

The Falk School offers competitive undergraduate scholarships, work-study opportunities, and paid graduate student positions that can help students save on tuition and gain valuable experience.

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Rachel Carson Visiting Scholars

The Rachel Carson Visiting Scholars program is a short-term residency at Eden Hall for leading scholars and professionals living the legacy of conservationist, public health advocate, and Chatham alumna, Rachel Carson. Hosted by the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment, the program provides an opportunity for scholars to spend a few weeks living at Eden Hall; engaging with Chatham faculty, students and partners; and sharing their work with local and regional leaders in Pittsburgh.

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Sustainability & Environmental Career Outcomes

As demand grows for professionals who can address environmental, sustainability, and food systems challenges, graduates of the Falk School are pursuing careers across government, nonprofits, private industry, research organizations, and education. Alumni work in sustainability, environmental science, conservation, community development, and environmental management roles at organizations including the City of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Allegheny Land Trust, World Resources Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Evoqua Water Technologies, and 3R Sustainability.

Meet the Dean of Falk School

Emily Heffernan, Ph.D., joined Chatham University as the Dean of the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment in August 2025. Dr. Heffernan comes to Chatham from Bellevue College, where she was dean of science.