| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Sept. 17, 2024 |
American University
AC-3: Graduate Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.28 / 8.00 |
Lia
Gomez Sustainability Analyst Office of Sustainability |
3.1 Graduate programs with sustainability-focused learning requirements
List and description of the institution’s sustainability-focused degrees and majors for graduate students:
MS SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
The MS in Sustainability Management degree is offered by the Kogod School of Business and incorporates topics like environmental and social science, public policy, and international relations. Students learn to implement innovative and responsible solutions to some of the most complex issues companies face today. MSSM emphasize an interdisciplinary approach, but students can choose one of three career tracks (business, policy, or environment) for additional expertise.
MS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Environmental Science (MS) prepares students to analyze and develop responses to environmental problems. The program offers two tracks: course-based or research-based. Students in the course-based program take a core set of science and statistics courses and a selection of complementary courses in environmental policy. Additionally, students are encouraged to gain practical field experience through an internship at one or more of the many public and private environmental organizations in the Washington, DC area. Students in the research-based program carry out thesis research projects with faculty in the department, associated and affiliated faculty at AU, or with researchers at one of the many research institutions in the Washington, DC area. Graduates of either track are prepared to engage in high-level, environmental problem solving or pursue advanced studies in environmental science.
MA GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
The Global Environmental Policy program helps you understand causes of environmental harm and identify ways to build a more sustainable world. Particular areas of program focus include climate change, sustainable energy, water, food and agriculture, environment and development, peace-building, and urban design and sustainability.
MA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: NATURAL RESOURCES & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Natural Resources and Sustainable Development is a dual master’s degree in which you will receive degrees from both American University and the United Nations-affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica, where you’ll spend your second and third semesters. American University offers international relations and environmental politics studies and unique exposure to Washington, DC, policy institutions and NGOs, while the University for Peace provides practical experience in sustainable development.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The dual-degree Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRSD) program builds on your passion for social justice and ecological sustainability. It provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in government, environmental NGOs, or sustainable development organizations around the world.
Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused certificate, concentration, or minor for graduate students?:
List and description of the institution’s sustainability-focused certificates, concentrations, and minors for graduate students:
ENVIRONMENT, PEACE, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (GRADUATE CERTIFICATE)
Offered by the School of International Service, the Environment, Peace, and Conflict Resolution (Graduate Certificate) equips students with the knowledge and skills to address a growing set of challenges at the intersection of environmental change, natural resource management, violent conflict, and the mediation and resolution of conflict. Students completing the program are conversant with leading theories of the links between environmental change and violent conflict, and understand and are able to deploy strategies for environmental peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE
The GEP Certicate requires students to take the SIS-660 Environment and Politics couse. This is a gateway course for students entering the SIS programs in Global Environmental Policy (GEP) and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRSD). The course provides an introduction to environmental politics and policy, with emphasis on the international, transnational and global dimensions. The course also lays a foundation for more advanced study by introducing conceptual frameworks, issue areas, and analytic approaches to the field. This certificate is offered through the School of International Service.
Does the institution offer at least one graduate qualification focused on a subject other than sustainability that has a sustainability-focused learning requirement?:
List and description of the institution’s graduate qualifications focused on subjects other than sustainability that have sustainability-focused learning requirements:
MS DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT
Offered by the School of International Service, the Development Management (MS) combines the fields of development and public administration to provide state-of-the-art education, training, and practice in development management. The program is designed both for practitioners and students with prior field experience who plan to work on development programs and projects either within the United States or in developing countries. It provides an opportunity to focus on innovative approaches to development management that are presently being developed both in the United States and in the Third World, with particular attention to the issues of self-reliance, sustainability, and poverty alleviation.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.2 Percentage of graduate qualifications awarded that have sustainability-focused learning requirements
Total number of graduate qualifications awarded:
Number of graduate qualifications awarded that are sustainability-focused:
Number of graduate qualifications awarded that are focused on subjects other than sustainability but have sustainability-focused learning requirements:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following three figures:
Percentage of graduate qualifications awarded that have sustainability-focused learning requirements:
Points earned for indicator AC 3.2:
Optional documentation
Degrees conferred for undergraduate qualifications awarded that are focused on subjects other than sustainability but have sustainability-focused learning requirements can be found on page 97 of the Academic Data Reference Book.
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.