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. You’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.

Our core courses focus on learning research methodologies and building sustainability-specific skill sets around development, design, and management, for example.

Our comprehensive selection of electives enables you to tailor your program to your personal or industry-specific interests such as natural disasters, water usage and conservation, and energy projects. Your thesis or capstone project will give you the opportunity to apply these skills to a real-world problem.

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 making a positive impact on 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 bring your organization’s business practices into alignment with the interests of stakeholders and customers.

Is a Degree in Sustainability Useful?

A graduate degree in sustainability creates the opportunity for you to pursue your passion while bringing about positive change. Careers in sustainability are rarely linear, meaning that 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 amount of jobs in sustainability are 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.

What does the Harvard Extension School diploma say? Would I be getting a real Harvard degree?

Harvard Extension School is a fully accredited Harvard school and our degrees and certificates are adorned with the Harvard University insignia.

As an example, if you earn the Master of Liberal Arts in a specific field, your diploma will have “Harvard University” at the top and it will state (in Latin) that you earned a Master of Liberal Arts in extension studies. Your official transcripts will list relevant degree information, such as your field of study and any certificates earned.

Harvard Extension School graduates also walk at the University Commencement and become members of the Harvard Alumni Association.