Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.15
Liaison Laura Young
Submission Date April 14, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Michigan State University
ER-9: Sustainability Learning Outcomes

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.15 / 10.00 Jennifer Battle
Former Director - left MSU
Campus Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

The number of graduates covered by the sustainability learning outcomes:
279

Total number of graduates :
18,900

A list of degree programs that have sustainability learning outcomes:

1. Sustainability Specialization (undergraduate minor)- 18 credits http://sustainabilityspecialization.msu.edu/(See Public Notes).
2. B.S. in Packaging - http://www.reg.msu.edu/Courses/Request.asp and select "PKG Packaging" for the Subject Code.
3. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) specialization - http://www.safss.msu.edu. (See Public Notes)
4. Ecological Food and Farming Systems (EFFS) graduate specialization - http://www.effs.msu.edu (See Public Notes)


The website URL where the publicly available sustainability course inventory that includes a list of degree programs that have specified sustainability learning outcomes is available:
A copy of the sustainability course inventory :
A list or sample of the sustainability learning outcomes associated with the degree programs:

1. Sustainability Specialization: aesthetic appreciation, ecological integrity, social equity, economic vitality, civic engagement, systems thinking, critical thinking, and personal development.
2. Packaging: Identify packaging reduction and recovery/disposal options; bio-based materials; meaning and implementation of sustainability as it relates to packaging system design.
3. SAFS: Outcomes of the SAFS program will include informed students who understand the environmental, social and ethical issues of the food system, and are familiar with research and action that is responding to such issues. Through problematization and experiential learning exercises, the students gain the ability to articulate their view of sustainability through the lens of both the biological sciences (agro-ecologically) and the social sciences, and realize the application of their knowledge to their practice in their own field of study. Being a specialization, undergraduate students enrolled are from several majors (approximately 10), and chose courses and experiences that prepare them for their future career and role as an informed citizen and consumer.
4. EFFS: Outcomes of the EFFS program include informed researchers and practitioners in the field of sustainable agriculture who understand the environmental, social and ethical issues of the food system. Graduates are familiar with research, investigative methods, and social movements that respond to such issues. Through problematization, practice, and sharing their perspective in a diverse academic community, graduates gain the ability to articulate the context of their work and will be able to understand the implications of their research in relation to others in both the biological (agro-ecological) and social disciplines. Being a specialization, graduate students enrolled are from several programs of study, and chose courses and experiences that best prepare them for their future career.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The undergraduate Sustainability Specialization began in August 2010. As of December 2010, no students have completed the program.

Both the SAFS undergraduate specialization and the EFFS graduate specialization began in Fall 2009. There are currently 42 students enrolled in SAFS and 13 students enrolled in EFFS.


The undergraduate Sustainability Specialization began in August 2010. As of December 2010, no students have completed the program.

Both the SAFS undergraduate specialization and the EFFS graduate specialization began in Fall 2009. There are currently 42 students enrolled in SAFS and 13 students enrolled in EFFS.

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.