This online degree program is a collaborative partnership between IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IUPUI, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast.

About the Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies

The collaborative online B.A. in Sustainability Studies is designed for students seeking the flexibility of the online format with an interest in the study of foundations of sustainability and a desire to learn how to apply this knowledge to the development and implementation of sustainable values, innovations, practices, and technologies in our homes, communities, businesses, as well as on IU campuses. Sustainability studies students often have an interest in applying their critical thinking and research skills in public service and in understanding connections between environment, economy, and society, and building faculty and student groups committed to tackling the complex socio-environmental problems confronting our communities, thus creating positive change in their local communities and beyond.

Your IU Online BA in Sustainability Studies prepares you for such careers as:

• Sustainability policy consultant
• Environmental advocate
• Environmental engineer
• Natural sciences manager
• Environmental specialist
• Sustainability program coordinator
• Energy manager
• Ecotourism guide
• Energy auditor 

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU East, IU Kokomo, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

2. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken at the 300-level or above.

3. A grade of C or above is required in courses for the major.

4. General Education: Students must complete all the requirements of the campus general education curriculum and of the B.A. general education curriculum (for information see academic-regulations/general-education.) 

5. Mathematic and informatics courses (9-10 cr.)

• INFO-I 101 Introduction to Informatics (4 cr.) or CSCI-C 106 Introduction to Computers & Their Use (3 cr.)
• MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus (3 cr.) or MATH-M 199 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)

6. Required courses in the Major:

• SUST-S 201 Foundations of Sustainability (3 cr.)

7. Scientific Foundations of Sustainability - Choose one 

• GEOG-G 101 Introduction to Earth Science (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 107 Physical Systems of the Environment (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 110 Human Geography in a Changing World (3 cr.)
• GEOL-G 185 Global Environmental Change (3 cr.)

8. Scientific Foundations of Sustainability - Choose two (6 cr.)

• BIOL-L 325 Ecological Principles (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 333 Environmental Science (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 303 Weather and Climate Change (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 310 Human Impact on the Environment (3 cr.)
• GEOL-G 400 Energy: Sources and Needs (3 cr.)
• GEOL-G 476 Climate Change Science (3 cr.) 

9. Social & Behavioral Foundations of Sustainability  - Choose two (6 cr.)

• GEOG-G 315 Environmental Conservation (3 cr)
• POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS-Y 346 Politics of the Developing World (3 cr.)
• SOC-S 308 Global Society (3 cr.)

10. Arts and Humanities and Sustainability (3 cr.)

• SUST-C 350 Sustainability in the Arts and Humanities (3 cr.)

11. Methods & Techniques for Sustainability Studies - Choose 2 (6 cr.)

• GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 337 Computer Cartography and Graphics (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information System I (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 348 Geographic Information System II (3 cr.)
• SOC-S 261 Research Methods in Sociology (3 cr.)
• SOC-S 262 Statistics for Sociology (3 cr.)
• SUST-C 350 Methods and Applications in Sustainability (3 cr.)

12. Written Communication - Choose 1 (3 cr.)

• ENG-S 270 Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 230 Professional Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 231 Technical Report Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 234 Science Writing (3 cr.)

13. Business & Economics of Sustainability - Choose 1 (3 cr.)

• GEOG-G 314 Urban Geography (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 331 Economic Geography (3 cr.)
• GEOG-G 478 Global Change, Food, & Farming Systems (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 306 Business Ethics (3 cr.)
• SUST-C 360 Business and Economics of Sustainability (3 cr.)

14. Sustainability Capstone - Choose 1 (3 cr.)

• SUST-C 490 Capstone in Sustainability (3 cr.)
• SUST-S 491 Internship in Sustainability (3 cr.)

15. Sustainability Electives - Choose two courses from two different lists (#8-14). Any courses used as electives cannot double-count to fulfill other major requirements. (6 cr.)

16. General Electives: Additional courses to total 120 credit hours, if needed, after completing all other requirements.