Arizona State University, or ASU, is proud to be the first and only School of Sustainability. The school offers undergraduate – graduate – and PhD’s in sustainability. “There is still a debate about whether sustainability is a genuine field, and that’s why we use the word transdisciplinary – it isn’t just that we’re working across fields, but we’re creating a field by working across fields,” says Charles L. Redman, a professor of natural history and the environment and director of Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.

The study of sustainability is hardly a new to academia, in fact ASU has been researching it for 30 years. But only now is it starting to gain momentum in universities across the country as a degree major. Many colleges and universities are integrating multi-disciplinary and ‘transdisciplinary’ degree programs that include sustainability in engineering, architecture, social, environmental, scientific and economic areas. My own major of Environmental Studies (with a concentration in Geology) at the University of St Thomas uses the inter-disciplinary method.

The School of Sustainability at ASU has eight faculty members, 16 more that teach both at the school and one other academic unit. Along with an additional 40 faculty associated with other departments. The expected enrollment this fall is 70 graduate students and an undergraduate class of 500, all with majors in sustainability. The 48,800 square foot campus is itself sustainable. There are several green initiatives around the university, and enough wind turbines and solar panels to provide power for 2,100 homes.

The degrees offered will intertwine several fields of study to create a broad and flexible range, aiming for better employ-ability for the student. This range will also better equip the students to combat our increasing 21st century socioeconomic and environmental issues.

The Institute conducts research, education, and problem-solving related to sustainability, with a special focus on urban environments.

• Organization Type: Higher Education
• Website: sustainability.asu.edu
• Director(s):Jonathan Fink and Charles L. Redman
• Founded: 2007
• Location:Tempe, AZ
•  See complete company list here

Contributor Profile: Justine

Justine is passionate about curing social injustice and global environmental issues. She has traveled extensively in Central America and the Caribbean, and is especially interested in the emergence of the Ecotourism industry.
Twitter: @justine72

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