Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.78
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Sept. 9, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

George Mason University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Andrew Wingfield
Fellow for Sustainable Studies
New Century College
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Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree program, or the equivalent for undergraduate students?:
Yes

The name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (1st program):
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, B.A.

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (1st program):

George Mason University’s BA degree in environmental and sustainability studies combines the study of human behavior and environmental science. This innovative interdisciplinary program emphasizes the pivotal role that economic markets, politics, and human behavior play in creating, as well as solving, environmental problems. The program underscores ecosystem dynamics and how these systems respond to external factors. With an emphasis on social and environmental justice, it looks at the impact of sustainability programs on the global environment and human communities. Concentrations in the program include: Climate Change and Society; Equity and Environmental Justice; Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy and Politics; and Business and Sustainability (new for fall 2014).


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (1st program):
The name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
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A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
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The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
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The name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
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The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
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The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
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Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors, concentrations or certificates for undergraduate students?:
Yes

The name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (1st program):
Sustainability Studies Minor

A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (1st program):

The core principle of sustainability is the desire to meet the basic material needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In order to achieve this goal, we must recognize and address the conflicts and trade-offs involved in balancing environmental integrity, social equity, and economic stability. Such complex work necessarily involves contributions from a wide range of disciplines, and it also requires a re-examination of the relationship between human value systems and cultural practices and the associated long-term implications for the ecosystem. To complete the Sustainability Studies Minor, students take two core courses, NCLC 210: Sustainable World and EVPP 480: Sustainability in Action. They also complete at least 8 elective credits from a pre-approved list of courses.


The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (1st program):
The name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
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A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
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The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
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The name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
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A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
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The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
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The name, brief description and URL of all other undergraduate-level sustainability-focused minors, concentrations and certificates:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information is for FY14


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.