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Sustainability Studies
The Sustainability Studies program at Mercyhurst University prepares students to engage in the immense environmental, social, and economic challenges that increasingly shape our world. Students engage in coursework aimed at fostering a holistic understanding of issues, such as global climate change, carbon emissions, land use and food production, energy systems, and sustainable economies. Throughout the program and their capstone projects, students work with campus and community partners to hone their systems-thinking and problem-solving skills and graduate as prepared professionals in the sustainability field.
Grounded in a broad range of approaches from the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences, the program emphasizes active engagement and systemic and contextual analysis of the climate crisis and environmental justice.
Mercyhurst sustainability graduates become problem-solving change-makers, helping to advance a more just and secure future wherever they go. Engaging in activities like urban gardening and preparing sustainability and climate action plans, graduates are prepared for success as sustainability coordinators for organizations, local government, and business, as well as a wide range of positions in the private and non-profit sectors.
Fast Facts
- Sustainability students at Mercyhurst are encouraged to develop proposals to the Student Sustainability Fund (SSF). Established in 2006-07 by students, the SSF has led to a number of campus sustainability projects, such as the Mercyhurst Tiny Forest, the Zurn Hall-Ceramics Lab Green Roof, and the Sister Maura Smith Peace Garden.
- Sustainability majors are encouraged to consider the possibility of either a double major or a minor in another program such as Business or Public Health.
- Mercyhurst sustainability graduates are employed in the fast-growing solar energy industry, environmental legal field, and for non-profit organizations.
- The Mercyhurst sustainability program has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Program, as well as by Penn Future for its commitment to renewable energy.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop the foundational knowledge and skills of a sustainability professional
- Demonstrate an understanding of the systemic, complex, and multidisciplinary nature of environmental challenges
- Engage with communities both on and beyond campus on sustainability projects that effect meaningful change
- SUST 101 - Foundations of Sustainability
- SCI 100/101 - Environmental Problem Solving/Lab
- SUST 210 - Responding to Climate Change
- ECON 26 - Environmental Economic and Policy
- ECON XXX - Sustainable Business Operations (AY 2025-26)
- ECON XXX - Global Development
- POLI 321 - Environmental Law
- MGMT 120 - Principles of Management or TBD: Non-Profit Management
- GEOL 288 - Energy and Environmental Justice
- ANTH 254 - Food & Foodways
- SUST XXX - Community Planning (AY 2025-26)
- PUBH 201 - Environmental Health
- HIS 221 U.S. - Environmental History
- COM 262 - Environmental Communication
- COM 312 - Communication and Social Responsibility
- PSYC XXX - Environmental Psychology (AY 2026-27)
- PHIL XXX - Environmental Philosophy (AY 2025-26)
- RLST 375 - Religion and the Environment
- PHIL XXX - Environmental Ethics (AY 2026-27)
- ART XXX - Nature Therapy (or another designated art course)
- ANTH 255 - Dwelling
- GEOL 440/1 - Introduction to GIS
- XXXX 101 - Excel 101 (AY 2024-25)
- STAT 109 - Introduction to Statistics
- SUST XXX - Carbon Accounting (AY 2024-25)
- ENG 386 - Grant Writing
Through these requirements, students build a foundational understanding of key issues related to environmental sustainability and essential tools for addressing those challenges.
Students must take at least one course from each of the four areas below and a total of 9 courses altogether for 27 credits
1. Business: Courses in this area are designed to help students apply and frame the concepts of sustainability through an economic and policy lens, while developing skills applicable to the business world.
2. Social and Behavioral – Systems: Courses in this area foster an understanding of the interconnected nature of social systems and the natural world in which we live.
3. Social and Behavioral – Individuals: In addition to complex social systems, understanding the behavior, motivations, and actions of individuals is critical for ensuring positive change around sustainability initiatives.
4. Analytics: This area provides students with the analytic tools and skills necessary to be a successful sustainability professional.
This first field experience provides students with an opportunity to work with campus and local community partners in advancing sustainability solutions to a range of energy, food production, water, and other environmental challenges.
SUST 390 - Sustainable Solutions and Community Engagement
The Capstone is meant to be a culminating experience in which students apply the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout the program, building on the junior field experience. Whether through a project or internship/externship, students in the capstone will work with partners in the broader community in helping to address a real-world environmental challenge through a substantive project—one that demands that students first, evaluate the problem and then propose and carry out a meaningful project aimed at addressing the issue.
SUST 490 - Sustainability Senior Field Experience
SUST 475 - Sustainability Internship
- SUST 101: Foundations of Sustainability
- SCI 100: Environmental Problem Solving
- SUST 210: Responding to Climate Change
- Two qualifying electives
- SUST 490: Senior Field Experience
Minor Requirements
For more information about our commitment to sustainability:
Dr. Chris J. Magoc
Professor of History, Coordinator, Sustainability Studies
Office: Preston 116