Sustainability Minor & Certificate
Build sustainability into your UNI education using personal interests, majors and service-learning experiences
UNI’s flexible Sustainability course opportunities include interdisciplinary certificates and a minor. Our interdisciplinary courses offer a wide selection of topics addressing best practices for human prosperity, resiliency and creativity. We offer a wide-variety of applied sustainability courses each semester: On-campus and Off-campus in our local communities or through studying abroad.
Growth in job postings
On LinkedIn according to GreenBiz (2024).
AACSB
Accredited
Less than 5% of business degree-granting schools worldwide have earned AACSB accreditation.
Median
Salary
According to PayScale for a Sustainability Manager (2024).
Find out More About Sustainability
Looking to enhance your existing major with Sustainability?
Find out more about Sustainability at the University of Northern Iowa by filling out the form to the right or contacting Chad Heinzel at chad.heinzel@uni.edu
Sustainability Certificate
Careers With a Sustainability Focus
Individuals passionate about increasing economic efficacies, developing resilient communities that have access to clean air, water and productive soils should consider adding a sustainability minor or certificate to their academic program. From accounting to finance, economics to marketing, and everything in between, adding a sustainability focus will help you lead projects that lower the cost of doing business while improving our shared environments. You can make positive contributions to your local communities and across our the Earth. Examples of Sustainability-focused careers include:
- Construction Managers
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Environmental Scientists
- Sustainable Engineering to Manufacturing Innovation Managers
- Environmental Accountants to Economists
- Interior to Landscape Designers
- Directors of Corporate Responsibility
- Environmental Lawyers
- Sustainable Investment to Risk Management Analysts
- Energy consultants
- Resources Policy Advocates
- Supply Chain Managers - Energy
- Resource Policy Advocates
Sustainability Courses
The Sustainability minor and certificate framework consists of a progression of classes with one required course. The remaining courses are elective and can be tailored to meet your unique interests. A professional academic advisor can help you select the course options that fit your career goals.
Course examples include:
- Introduction to Sustainability
- American State Politics
- Environmental Economics
- Life: The Natural World
- Introduction to Environmental Earth Science
- Lean and Sustainable Operations
- Environmental Health Science
- Natural Resources and Civilizations
- Global Supply Chain Management
- Intro. to Electronics
- Environmental Ethics
Steps Needed for Earning a Minor or Certificate in Sustainability
- Sign up using the ‘Declaration of Curriculum’ form to add the
Sustainability Certificate or Minor. You do not need an academic advisor's signature to add a Certificate or Minor. - Take Courses 1 Required – Intro. to Sustainability
a. Sustainability Certificate – 15 to 17 credit hours
b. UNI Sustainability Minor – 21 to 24 credit hours
(see the full Certificate and Minor course plan) Complete the final reflection form (Minor OR Certificate), email the completed form to the UNI Sustainability Coordinator Prof. Chad Heinzel and find a time to discuss your UNI Sustainability experiences.
Course Plan
Sustainability is an evolving field of study. With each new advancement in the area, our course offerings must also evolve to keep up with changes and advancements! Download your minor and certificate requirements for the most up-to-date information on our sustainability course offerings.