Arizona State University (Tempe campus)
Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States Arizona, Tempe, USA Visit web page

Sustainability, BA

Study detals

: Bachelor's degree : Sustainability, BA SUSUSTBA : Full time : 48 Month

Requirements

Academic requirements

First-year students must:

  • Have a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) (a "B" or better where "A"=4.00) from a secondary school. Some ASU programs may have higher admission or English proficiency requirements and may consider a minimum ACT or SAT score.
  • Must have three years of high school coursework. (If you are currently in high school, ASU needs to see 9–11 grade coursework. If you have completed high school, ASU needs to see 10–12 grade coursework.)
  • Must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate.

Conditional admission

ASU may offer conditional undergraduate admission to international applicants to an on-campus program who meet the academic (aptitude) requirements but who are not proficient in English. This offer of conditional admission will give you time to improve your English proficiency before you start classes at ASU. Your conditional admission offer is good for up to three semesters, during which time you must meet one of these requirements to begin your ASU experience.

Competency requirements

International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements:

  • Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
  • Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics).

Provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL 61)

Speciality

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.

Also available online

Additional information

Program description

Students in ASU's School of Sustainability are reinventing the future of a world at risk. Students gain career preparation through experiential learning, study abroad programs, research with faculty, community engagement and leadership development. Their knowledge and innovations will shape the social and environmental quality of life for future generations.

The School of Sustainability offers a BA and a BS degree in sustainability. Students focus on developing practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental, economic and social challenges of sustainability, honing their skills in resilience and systems thinking. They learn to manage trade-offs, engage with diverse stakeholders, utilize future-visioning tools, and assess the ethics and values associated with different solution pathways.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is geared toward students with interests in the social dimensions of sustainability, in local to global contexts, with an emphasis on governance, policy, urban systems and international development.

Concurrent program options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

  • Global Management, MGM
  • Sustainability Solutions, MSUS

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program.

Global opportunities
Global experience 

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the College of Global Futures, are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.

Career opportunities

The growing emphasis on sustainability extends beyond corporate and governmental sectors, offering diverse career opportunities in nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, community development, justice equity and inclusion efforts. Opportunities encompass sustainability coordination, management, leadership and more. Students can explore alumni employment data for career insights on theCollege of Global Futures employment data page.

Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sustainability distinctly contribute to these fields. Their education equips them with a comprehensive approach to addressing sustainability challenges, making them valuable to employers and graduate programs. These graduates possess a deep understanding of complex systems drawn from diverse disciplines, and they excel in forward-thinking strategies and stakeholder engagement.

Their strong communication skills, honed through coursework and authentic experiences, enable them to effectively convey sustainability concepts. Additionally, their expertise in teamwork and relationship-building empowers seamless collaboration in diverse settings. Armed with these skills, graduates are well prepared to make a lasting impact on the environment, society and global sustainability efforts.