Program Objectives
Contribute to Global Sustainability Knowledge: To produce scholars capable of conducting original, high-impact research that informs the global transition to sustainable development.
Master Advanced Methodologies: To acquire expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and systems-modeling methods for analyzing complex socio-environmental systems.
Bridge Theory and Policy: To train candidates to translate deep theoretical knowledge into practical, scalable solutions for policy stakeholders and international organizations.
Cultivate Scholarly Leadership: To prepare candidates for academic appointments and leadership roles in global research institutions and think tanks.
Promote Transdisciplinary Thinking: To foster the ability to integrate ecological sciences, economic theory, and social justice frameworks in sustained research.
Curriculum Structure & Expected Courses
Doctoral Core & Research Foundation (39 Credits)
SUS 701: Advanced Systems Theory & Sustainability (3)
SUS 705: Environmental Economics & Policy Analysis (3)
SUS 710: Quantitative Research Methods in Sustainability (3)
SUS 715: Qualitative Approaches to Community Resilience (3)
SUS 720: Seminar in Global Climate Governance (3)
SUS 725: Ethics, Justice, & The Future of Development (3)
SUS 730: Seminar in Green Technology & Innovation (3)
SUS 735: Academic Writing for Global Impact (3)
SUS 740: Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (3)
SUS 745: Directed Independent Research (9)
SUS 729: Dissertation Proposal Defense (3)
SUS 799: Comprehensive Exam (0)
Research & Dissertation Phase (21 Credits)
SUS 801: Dissertation Seminar II: Empirical Modeling (6)
SUS 803: Dissertation Writing & Scholarly Development (3)
SUS 805: Dissertation Research & Completion (6)
SUS 807: Dissertation Final Defense & Publication (6)
Areas of Specialization & Career Pathways
Academia: Tenure-track Professor of Sustainability, Environmental Science, or Economics.
Research & Think Tanks: Senior Research Fellow, climate policy advisor, or sustainability consultant.
International Governance: Director of sustainability programs for UN agencies, NGOs, or international development banks.
Policy & Leadership: Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) for global corporations or government department head.
Research Areas
Climate Resilience: Investigating the long-term adaptive capacity of infrastructure and human communities to environmental change.
Circular Economics: Developing new economic models that decouple growth from environmental degradation.
Social Equity in Development: Analyzing the impact of sustainability policies on vulnerable populations and community well-being.
Technological Innovation: Exploring the role of renewable energy, AI, and green tech in achieving global sustainability goals.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate mastery of core sustainability frameworks, environmental economics, and development theory.
• Design, execute, and defend an original dissertation that provides a substantial contribution to sustainable development knowledge.
• Apply advanced research methods to analyze and interpret complex environmental, social, and economic phenomena.
• Display proficiency in communicating scholarly findings to academic peers, professional practitioners, and global policy stakeholders.