Sustainability

program available on-campusWith an area of concentration in Sustainability you will develop skills that apply to virtually any field or profession, although advanced degrees or certifications may be required for certain positions. While the specific work tasks vary, all careers in sustainability share the common goal of promoting healthy organizations and communities, as well as a healthy planet.

Concentration Requirements 30 - 31 hours 
SUST 1000 Introduction to Sustainability  3 hours
ENVN 4700 Sustainable Solutions Capstone (Fall only)
 3 hours
Environmental Science. Choose one from the list below: 3 - 4  hours
BIOL 1330 Environmental Biology
CHEM 1010 Chemistry in the Environment and Society
GEOL 1010 Environmental Geology 
GEOL 1100 Earth System Science
GEOG 1030 Intro Physical Geography (4 hours) 
GEOG 1050 Human-Environment Geography (4 hours)
Economics/Public Policy. Choose one from the list below: 3 hours
ECON 3320 Introduction to Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
ECON 4320 Natural Resource Economics
GEOG 4160 Urban Sustainability
PSCI/ENVN 4270 Global Environmental Politics
PSCI 4290 International Development and Sustainability 
Social/Ethical. Choose one from the list below: 3 hours
ENVN 2000 Landscape and Environmental Appreciation 
ENVN 3660 Sustainable Landscape Design
GEOG 4160 Urban Sustainability
PHIL 3180 Environmental Ethics
PSCI 4290 International Development and Sustainability
SOC 4760 Environmental Sociology
Natural Resources. Choose one from the list below: 3 hours
BIOL 4120 Conservation Biology
ENVN 2120 Sustainable Landscape Plants
ENVN 3660 Sustainable Landscape Design
ENVN 4310 Our Energy Future: Society, the Environment, and Sustainability
ENVN 4320 Ecological Sustainability and Human Health
GEOG 4010 Conservation of Natural Resources
Additional 12 hours to be selected from the courses below or from those not selected above. 12 hours
DSGN 1100 Design Thinking 
CNST 1310 Introduction to the Construction Industry (1 hour)
CNST 3050 Building Environmental Technical Systems I
CONE 4500 Sustainable Construction  
HIST 4450 Native American Environmentalism
PA 4200 Community Organizing and Social Change
BIOL/ENVN/GEOG/PA 4820 Introduction to Environmental Law and Regulation
ENVN 4090 Special Topics (depending on topic, might be able to be used in areas above) 
UBNS 1010 Introduction to Urban Studies
SUST 4090 Special Topics in Sustainability
SUST 4800 Internship in Sustainability
SUST 4900 Independent Study
Secondary Field I 12 hours
Must include courses from the same subject
Secondary Field II 12  hours
Must include courses from the same subject
Electives 26 hours
May include any excess hours in general education, concentration or secondary fields. The number of elective hours may vary but total degree must comprise 120 hours.
University General Education 40 hours
Learn more about general education requirements
TOTAL DEGREE 120 hours
  • Students highly recommended to meet with Dr. John McCarty to learn more jmccarty@unomaha.edu or 402-554-2849.
Students with an area of concentration in Sustainability may find careers in:
♦ Environmental Protection and Remediation       ♦ Waste Reduction
♦ Green Building ♦ Sustainable Agriculture
♦ Climate Change ♦ Corporate Sustainability
♦ Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency ♦ Advocacy
♦ Environmental Policy and Management ♦ Promoting Healthy Organizations and Communities