Master of Science in Sustainability Studies

Innovative curriculum designed around you to meet the needs of the world around us.

The Master of Science in Sustainability Studies program at Lenoir-Rhyne University helps to develop leaders in the field who will tackle future challenges in the world around us as they relate to sustainability. In doing so, we seek to develop advocates for change. What makes our program unique? Read on.

• Innovative program designed with you in mind. We use your experience and interests to shape our curriculum.
• Non-cohort based course delivery, meaning a flexible schedule at your own pace.
• Traditional and career track admission, giving students more than one way to be admitted.
• Involved and engaging faculty with extensive experience in the field of sustainability.

Curriculum Snapshot

Take the program at your own pace, whether that is part time or full tilt. Here are some highlights of what you need to know:

• 33 hours total
• Focus areas include: Sustainability, Business, Public Policy, and Research
• Elective options in topics of interest to you
• Flexible format for classes being either fully online, hybrid (partially online, partially in class), in the evening, or on weekends

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Curriculum Overview

Required Courses (9 Credits)
SUS 501    Visions of Sustainable Communities
SUS 560    Sustainability Capstone (must be taken in final semester)
One of the following Research & Applied Statistics Courses:
EDU 505    Research Methodology & Practicum
MAT 540    Statistical Modeling for Sustainability
POL 512    Methods of Policy Research

Business Sustainability (9 Credit Hours)
BUS 5XX    Sustainability Management & Decision Making.
ECO 5XX    Economics of Sustainability.
BUS 514    Organizational Behavior

Sustainability Science (9 Credit Hours)
SUS 520    Science for Sustainability
SUS 523    Sustainable Energy and Material Use

Students will also choose one of the following courses:
SUS 526    Natural Resources, Processes and Management
SUS 529    Industrial Ecology and Design for Sustainability

Public Policy (6 Credits)
POL: 519  Public Policy Processes (3 credits)
POL: 525  Environmental Policy (3 credits)