Sustainability Master’s Degree Program

The 12-course Sustainability Graduate Program is designed to help you develop practical skills that you can apply immediately in your career.

Core courses focus on learning research methodologies and building sustainability-specific skill sets around development, design, and management. Our comprehensive selection of elective courses enables you to tailor your program to your personal or industry-specific interests.

Core Courses

The two core courses are taken for admission:

• ENVR 101 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development
• ENVR 210 Analytical Methods in Sustainability

Sustainability Skill-Set Courses

Choose from nearly 30 online course options. Sample courses include:

• ENVR 116 The Carbon Economy: Calculating, Managing, and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• ENVR 151 Life Cycle and Supply Chain Sustainability Assessment
• ENVR 155 Principles and Practice of Climate Change Negotiations
• ENVR 166 Water Resources Policy and Watershed Management
• ENVR 235 Fundamentals of Sustainable Investing

Sustainability Elective Courses

Sample electives include:

• DEVP 113 Leading with Ethics: Professional Practices for Sustainable Development
• DEVP 160 A One Health Approach to Global Sustainable Development
• ENVR 102A Innovative Technologies and Practices for Climate Change Resilience

Graduates of our Sustainability Master’s Program work in the fields of transportation, hospitality, renewables, public policy, biotechnology, civil engineering, venture capital, and more.

Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at the University of Birmingham, New York University, University of Edinburgh, Georgetown University, Bar-llan University, University of Zurich, Tufts University, Cornell University, and Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Our alumni hold such titles as:

• Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability (Fortune 100 Corporation)
• Advocate for Clean Energy Transmission (US Government Agency)
• Consultant of Climate & Sustainability (International NGO)
• International Climate Researcher (International Consulting Firm)
• Program Director of Land Management (US-based NGO)
• Communications Director of Energy and Environment (International News Agency)
• CEO/Founder of Sustainable Investments Start-up
• Owner of Real Estate Development Firm

Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:

• Aetna
• Bank of America
• FedEx
• GE
• The Nature Conservancy
• Trip Advisor
• United Nations

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the online All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Sustainability.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

How Long Does It Take to Complete the Sustainability Graduate Program?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Sustainability?

With a master’s degree in sustainability, you’ll gain the knowledge and flexibility to advance your career while positively impacting the environment.

You might choose to help your organization reduce its carbon footprint, design environmentally friendly products, reduce wasteful packaging, or develop a more sustainable supply chain. You could also help ensure ethical corporate governance or align your organization’s business practices with the interests of stakeholders and customers. For more details, read our blog post What You Can Do with a Master’s in Sustainability.

If you’re interested in working on sustainability at a global level, a focused program on global development practice may be beneficial. Read our blog post Sustainability vs. Global Development Practice — Which One is Right for You?

Is a Degree in Sustainability Useful?

A graduate degree in sustainability allows you to pursue your passion while bringing about positive change. Careers in sustainability are rarely linear, meaning you can create your own path.

You may want to bring sustainability to a specific industry you know well, such as fashion or finance. Or, you could apply your unique skills — such as urban planning, eliminating packaging waste, or food sustainability — to one of many industries.

Is a Career in Sustainability a Smart Choice?

As the fight against climate change grows more urgent, governments, nonprofits, and businesses increasingly need employees with green skills. In fact, the number of jobs in sustainability is quickly outpacing the supply of individuals with the relevant qualifications.

Adding a master’s in sustainability to your resume may give you a competitive advantage in this job market — while helping you play a vital role in keeping our planet healthy.