Dec 17, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Global Sustainability, M.A.


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Department: Dean’s Office

Concentrations:

  • Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
  • Sustainable Business
  • Sustainability Policy
  • Sustainable Tourism

Also offered as a Concurrent Degrees  

 

 


The mission of PCGS is achieving sustainable development, both locally and globally, by fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability; we accomplish this through teaching, research, mentoring students and community outreach, as well as by generating practical knowledge and developing innovative technologies, skills and policies.

The M.A. degree in Global Sustainability provides students with a broad education in sustainability studies and applied practices that enable humanity to address current pressing issues facing global ecosystems and to ensure a sustainable future. The interconnections between many fields are highlighted with emphasis placed on systems and nexus thinking, circular economies, sustainable development goals, and the triple bottom line of supporting people, planet and prosperity.

The M.A. in Global Sustainability offers four concentrations: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Tourism, Sustainability Policy and Sustainable Business. All concentrations are offered in online, on-campus format, and blended formats to meet the needs of student schedules. The graduate program is designed to prepare students to address complex regional, national, and global challenges related to sustainability and the ability to innovate in diverse cultural, geographic, and demographic contexts. Career preparation and professional development are emphasized through internships, certification training and applied projects to give students a superior education that prepares them for diverse occupations related to sustainability.
 

Major Research Areas: Sustainable development, sustainability policy, environmental policy, livable communities, ecotourism, climate mitigation, green business.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

  • GRE Verbal score of 153 or higher, Quantitative of 153 or higher, and Analytical Writing of 3.5 or higher, all taken within 5 years prior to application may be required. GRE may be waived with relevant professional experience.
  • At least two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors (signed, dated, and on official letterhead).
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (Up to 350 words including the student’s academic and professional background, choice of concentration, reasons for pursuing this degree, and their professional goals in terms of contributing to global sustainability).

International Students
International students who have not completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution and do not have a GPA on a 4.0 scale, must submit a transcript evaluation that outlines U.S. degree equivalency, along with a GPA estimation. 

Non-English transcripts must be translated by a foreign transcript evaluation service that certifies the U.S. degree equivalency and GPA estimation.

For specific University requirements -– https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/graduate/requirements-and-deadlines.aspx

Curriculum Requirements


Total Minimum Hours - 36 credits

  • Core courses – 12 credit hours
  • Concentration courses – 9 credit hours
  • Electives – 9 credit hours
  • Internship/Research – 6 credit hours
  • Comprehensive Exam

Concentration Requirements (9 Credit Hours Minimum)


Students select at least one concentration.

Choose one of the following courses:

Choose one of the following courses:

Electives (9 Credit Hours Minimum)


An additional nine (9) graduate credit hours is required.  Any other concentration’s courses are preferred electives.

Internship/Research Requirement (6 Credit Hours)


The required six (6) credit Internship or Research Project will be completed in the student’s last semester

Choose one of the following:

Comprehensive Exam


The Internship or research report serves as the program’s comprehensive exam. As part of this process students write a final report and deliver a presentation based on their internship work or research project, both of which are graded.

Concurrent Degree


Also available as a Concurrent Degree  

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