Global Sustainability, M.S.

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Patel College of Global Sustainability (CS)

Department: Dean’s Office

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

Concentrations:

Entrepreneurship
Food Sustainability and Security
Sustainable Energy
Water Sustainability

Also offered as a Concurrent Degrees

This major shares a core with the Global Sustainability, M.A. and Sustainability Management, M.S.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Global Sustainability is an interdisciplinary program rooted in sustainability sciences, designed to equip students with advanced technical skills to address global challenges in areas such as water management, renewable energy, food security, and green entrepreneurship. The curriculum emphasizes research-driven solutions, systems thinking, circular economies, and sustainable development goals, preparing students to innovate in complex, real-world contexts. Students gain expertise in data analysis, environmental modeling, sustainable technologies, and resource management, with hands-on experience through cutting-edge research, applied projects, and internships. The program is designed to prepare graduates for technical and leadership roles in sustainability-focused careers, such as environmental consultancy, policy analysis, renewable energy engineering, and sustainability management, ensuring they are equipped to drive innovation and resilience across industries and sectors

Major Research Areas: Sustainability science, environmental protection, public transportation, sustainable food systems, renewable energy, green technology, biofuels development, material ecology, water resource management.

Admission Information

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

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 4.00 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

Shared Core Requirements - 12 credit hours
Concentration Courses - 9 credit hours
Electives - 9 credit hours
Internship/Research - 6 credit hours
Comprehensive Exam

Shared Core Requirements (12 Credit Hours)

IDS 6233 Concepts and Principles of Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
IDS 6234 Systems Thinking: The Key to Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
IDS 6235 Economics and Finance for Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
IDS 6272 Research Methods for Sustainability Credit Hours: 3

Concentration Requirements (9 credit hours minimum)

Students select one Concentration.

Entrepreneurship Concentration (9 Credit Hours)

Complete the following course (3 Credit Hours):
IDS 6163 Environment, Social and Governance for Business Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
Choose one of the following courses (3 Credit Hours):
ENT 6619 Creativity and Design Credit Hours: 3
ENT 6805 Sustainable Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3
Choose one of the following courses (3 Credit Hours):
IDS 6239 Principles of Six Sigma for Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
ENT 6186 Strategic Market Assessment Credit Hours: 3

Electives (9 Credit Hours)

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 6 credit Internship or Research Project will be completed in the student’s last semester.

Choose one of the following:

IDS 6946 Sustainability Internship Credit Hours: 3-6 (6 credits for this program)
IDS 6935 Capstone Research Project Credit Hours: 3-6 (6 credits for this program)

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.

University of South Florida

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