Sustainability Minor & Certificate
Build sustainability into your UNI education using personal interests, majors and service-learning experiences
UNI’s flexible Sustainability opportunities include interdisciplinary certificates and a minor that includes a wide selection of topics addressing best practices for human prosperity while protecting the planet. Our sustainability opportunities are open to all majors. We offer a wide-variety of applied sustainability courses each semester: On-campus, in our communities or through studying abroad.
Growth in job postings
On LinkedIn according to GreenBiz (2020).
AACSB
Accredited
Less than 5% of business degree-granting schools worldwide have earned AACSB accreditation.
Median
Salary
According to PayScale for a Sustainability Manager (2021).
Find out More About Sustainability
Looking to enhance your existing major with Sustainability?
Find out more about a 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 the environment and decreasing the use of scarce resources should consider adding a sustainability certificate to their academic program. From accounting to finance, marketing to economics, and everything in between, adding a sustainability focus will help you lead projects that lower the cost of doing business and improve our environment. You can make a difference in the world. Some of these careers include:
- Sustainability Project Manager
- Environmental Accountant
- Environmental Economist
- Sustainability Consultant
- Sustainable Investing Analyst
- Supply Chain Risk & Sustainability Associate
- Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
- Supply Chain Manager, Sustainability and Energy
- Director of Sustainable Manufacturing Innovation
- Resources Policy Advocate
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.
Courses include:
- Introduction to Sustainability
- Evolution, Ecology and the Nature of Science
- Conservation Biology
- Introduction to Geology
- Environmental Health Science
- Environmental Economics
- Global Strategic Supply Management
- Rhetoric, Science, and Community Engagement
- 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 - 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) - Write a summary reflection using the format that will be emailed to you by the Certificate Coordinator Prof. Chad Heinzel
- Submit list of courses taken and grades achieved along with Final Reflection to Prof. Heinzel
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.