Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.15
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date April 8, 2022

STARS v2.2

Western Colorado University
AC-4: Graduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Ashley Woolman
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree program, or the equivalent for graduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program:
Master of Environmental Management

A brief description of the graduate-level degree program:

Using the ecological diversity, natural resource wealth and emerging sustainable community movements of the Colorado Rockies as its central classroom, Western’s MEM offers interdisciplinary training for building environmental and community resilience.


Website URL for the graduate-level degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, graduate-level degree program (2nd program):
Masters of Science in Ecology

A brief description of the graduate degree program (2nd program):

Our program engages a new kind of scientist: one whose ability to perform research with immediate relevance for solving problems is matched only by their skills in collaborating with affected communities. This scientist is also expected to incorporate citizens and citizen science into effective research, producing accessible and accurate results for utilization by both policy-makers and the public. This includes opportunities to address critical information gaps at the local, regional and global levels, across a range of ecological systems vulnerable to climate change.


Website URL for the graduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, graduate-level degree program (3rd program):
Outdoor Industry Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A brief description of the graduate degree program (3rd program):

The Outdoor Industry Masters in Business Administration is designed to provide the tools and skills required for candidates to advance their careers in the Outdoor Industry. The program includes core business academic content necessary for making informed decisions to further our students’ careers. The coursework engages students with material related to the Outdoor Industry to include issues of sustainability, hospitality management, natural resource law and economics and competitive dynamics of the outdoor industry.

A successful master’s candidate must complete 36 credit hours as a part of a two-year cohort based program. The MBA program will prepare students for careers in the outdoor industry with coursework focusing on content specific to this industry. Students can select from one of two emphasis tracks: Products or Services. Completion of the MBA requires a Capstone Project.


Website URL for the graduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused graduate-level degree programs:
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Does the institution offer one or more graduate-level sustainability-focused minors, concentrations or certificates?:
Yes

Name of the graduate-level sustainability-focused minor, concentration or certificate:
Integrative and Public Land Management Emphasis

A brief description of the graduate minor, concentration or certificate:

The Integrative & Public Land Management (IPLM) track will teach you how to balance project management, climate action and collaborative solutions across diverse communities. In the program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to participate in applied projects, field experiences and a self-designed, 600-hour master’s project. In addition, the MEM faculty members’ extensive professional networks in conservation nonprofits, environmental consulting companies and agencies will help you find your niche in land management and climate adaptation.

Through a combination of immersive educational experiences, intensive coursework and industry networks, you’ll be prepared to launch your career in public land management, private land conservation, conservation advocacy and more.


Website URL for the graduate minor, concentration or certificate:
Name of the graduate-level sustainability-focused minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Sustainable & Resilient Communities Emphasis

A brief description of the graduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):

Through its action-oriented approach to learning, the Sustainable & Resilient Communities (SRC) track will prepare you to work in nonprofit and for-profit management, climate action planning, sustainability consulting, alternative building, environmental education and more. In the Sustainable & Resilient Communities track, you can partner with our faculty in complex, real-world projects, so you can apply your knowledge and expand your leadership skills. Below are examples of some of the organizations and projects you could work with. Our faculty can help you identify and connect with engaging opportunities based on your interests.


Website URL for the graduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the graduate-level sustainability-focused minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
Global Sustainability Emphasis

A brief description of the graduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):

Western’s MEM students have completed 80,000+ hours of projects on five different continents to create a more just and sustainable future. Just some examples of student projects include: natural resource conflict management; environmentally sustainable urban and rural development; scalable, place-based climate mitigation and adaptation strategies; international conservation biology; and promoting the use of local knowledge in the co-creation of environmental solutions.


Website URL for the graduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other graduate-level, sustainability-focused minors, concentrations and certificates:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information and URL gathered spring 2022


Information and URL gathered spring 2022

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