Skip Navigation
 
School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Sustainability

Online Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability

Apply Now Request Info
Program Requirements Related Programs Admission Requirements Paying for School

Save @ APU

$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
$0 Textbooks & eBooks

About This Program

Sustainability is a complex, multifaceted subject with governmental, technological, and scientific considerations. With this online sustainability certificate program from American Public University (APU), study resource and energy use and policy, emerging renewable energy technologies, and the societal and economic barriers to implementation of sustainable practices.

In this undergraduate program, you’ll learn how to plan and implement integrated, practical solutions that contribute to national and global resource conservation. You’ll also develop a greater understanding of resource and energy sustainability principles, as well as the impact of green infrastructure and sustainable design in managing land use policies and development planning.

This undergraduate certificate is useful for expanding your knowledge of sustainability without committing to a degree program.

NOTE: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

What You Will Do

  1. Study basic resource and energy sustainability principles
  2. Become familiar with current and emerging renewable energy technologies
  3. Understand society’s dependence on fossil fuel and other traditional energy sources
  4. Learn about the social and economic barriers that prevent the acceptance and use of sustainable products, goods, and services
  5. Grow your knowledge of the sustainability principles to land use and development planning, and the impact of green infrastructure and design on global resource sustainability

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits
Cost Per Credit
$285 | $250*
*with military grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

  • Want to Learn More?

    Step One: Introduce Yourself
    Validation message here
    Validation message here
    Validation message here
    Validation message here
    Validation message here
    Validation message here

Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4261

|
This course will introduce students to the principles of environmental sustainability. Students will explore various aspects of sustainability, including energy use, industrial processes, waste generation and disposal, and the built environment. As part of the focus on solutions, the course will introduce students to tools society can use to attain and implement sustainable practices, such as policy, law, education and communication, marketing, research advocacy, and international agreements and collaboration.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/22 - 04/28/23 05/01/23 - 06/25/23 Spring 2023 Session I 8 Week session
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3294

|
This course will introduce students to current and future trends in energy technology, policy, and sustainability. It will address topics such as resource sustainability, relevant aspects of economics, sociology of innovation diffusion, product design principles, and the environmental impacts of existing and emerging energy technologies. Analysis of the range of current and future energy choices will be stressed, as well as the role of energy in determining local environmental conditions and the global climate.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
10/31/22 - 03/31/23 04/03/23 - 05/28/23 Spring 2023 Session B 8 Week session
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 Spring 2023 Session D 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3295

|
This course will introduce students to the basic methods of land use planning, including: goal development and formalization, planning intelligence and information systems, population forecasting, land use forecasting, land suitability analysis, land use location requirements, land classification planning, natural/sustainable land use design, and the analysis of regional or local land use plans. Through lecture, discussion, case studies, and assignments, the class will examine fundamental land use controls (i.e., General Plans and Zoning), land use policy, and contemporary land use management techniques.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/22 - 04/28/23 05/01/23 - 06/25/23 Spring 2023 Session I 8 Week session
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 Spring 2023 Session D 8 Week session
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3298

|
This course illustrates the fundamental concepts of GIS and remote sensing technologies in the context of land use planning and management. Topics include the physical basis for remote sensing, remote sensing systems, digital image processing, data structures, database design, and spatial data analysis. The course is not intended to provide students with extensive training in particular image processing or GIS packages; however course exercises and the final project will require GIS data analysis and presentation skills.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/22 - 04/28/23 05/01/23 - 06/25/23 Spring 2023 Session I 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4279

|
This course will introduce students to the concepts of green infrastructure planning and design and the implementation of renewable technologies. The framework presented for planning and design will focus on increasing the performance of green infrastructure systems. Students will examine case studies and participate in exercises to develop richly layered, interconnected, and sustainable communities that increase human health and ecological resilience.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/22 - 04/28/23 05/01/23 - 06/25/23 Spring 2023 Session I 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3341

|
This course is designed to review the practical application of watershed planning as a tool to manage land, water, and ecosystem resources. Students will explore the public policies and practices of watershed planning by examining case studies in water supply, water quality, drought, floodplain, and storm water management in the U.S. The watershed management curriculum will utilize a multi-disciplinary approach, involving the fields of geography, environmental science, geology, public policy, urban and regional land planning, geographic information systems (GIS) and engineering.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
10/31/22 - 03/31/23 04/03/23 - 05/28/23 Spring 2023 Session B 8 Week session
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 Spring 2023 Session D 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Apr 3
Register by Mar 31
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED).
  • Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $65 per course | $0 for active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

To minimize out-of-pocket costs, U.S. active-duty servicemembers, their spouse/dependents, National Guard members, and Reservists receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, and graduate certificate tuition at $250/credit hour. In addition, a university book grant provides no-cost textbooks and ebooks for all undergraduates and military-tuition-grant-eligible master’s-level students.
See all military student benefits.