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Why study this program?

Earn a credential. Gain the credibility. Lead sustainability in your field. 100% online

The U of A’s four-course online graduate certificate in sustainability is designed to equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to lead and develop innovative solutions for complex, global sustainability challenges. Across all sectors, expectations for sustainability initiatives continue to grow as governments, industries, and communities align with climate goals and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) priorities. Demand for professionals with sustainability expertise is skyrocketing.

This program, offered through the College of Natural and Applied Sciences with founding faculties of Science and ALES, combines the foundations of sustainability, proposed solutions, and future transitions with the fundamentals of data science and artificial intelligence (AI), empowering you to make data-informed, sustainable decisions.

Hands-on projects and case studies enable you to immediately apply theories, tools, and strategies to complex challenges, building applicable skills and aligning sustainable practices with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and SDG (Sustainable Development) goals. You will learn from leading sustainability researchers in a world-class online learning environment.

Why Choose This Program?

The Job Market is Growing — FAST

• 231% growth in ESG-related job postings year-over-year (2025)
• 233,000+ job openings in sustainability expected in Canada by 2029
• Sustainability jobs are growing 4x faster than the national average
• 24 million sustainability jobs projected globally by 2030

Sources: LinkedIn, ILO, ESG Rec, Natural Resources Canada, Made in CA

Top-Ranked Global Leader for Impact on Sustainability

The U of A is ranked #8 in the world and #2 in Canada for its work to address humanity’s greatest sustainability challenges, according to the . The U of A’s Sustainability Council is leading transformative research embedded in this interdisciplinary graduate-level certificate.

Flexible Delivery, Accelerated Completion

Designed for working professionals from across all sectors, study and engage from anywhere. Quickly advance your career by completing four (4) focused, six (6) week online courses. Courses are offered one at a time, providing you with flexibility to balance school, work, and life commitments. Complete the certificate in as little as two (2) academic terms.

Develop Sustainability + AI Future-Focused Skills

Whether you're advising organizations on ESG compliance, designing sustainable infrastructure, reducing carbon footprints, or advancing equity through sustainable solutions, the program will enable you to build skills and confidence to lead and assess sustainability initiatives using systems thinking, critical data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Who Should Apply?

The online graduate certificate in sustainability is ideal for:

• Mid-career working professionals from across sectors pivoting to sustainability roles
• Managers and leaders integrating ESG practices
• Entrepreneurs and innovators across all sectors with sustainability goals
• Educators and communicators shaping the next generation
• Public servants advancing national, provincial, or municipal SDG strategies
• Leaders across urban planning, tech, business and beyond seeking to deepen knowledge in sustainability
• Those seeking to launch a purpose-driven career in sustainability

Whether you're in business, policy, engineering, education, or the nonprofit sector, integrating sustainability into your work is essential and increasingly expected across sectors.

What You’ll Learn

• Analyze the interconnectedness of environmental, social, cultural, health, economic and technical systems 
• Articulate sustainability foundational concepts, methods and scientific principles
• Evaluate research and the roles of various governance structures, policies and regulations in promoting sustainability
• Develop a vision and implement and critically evaluate various solutions
• Exhibit leadership skills in managing sustainability projects and initiatives, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and resource management
• Gain a strategic foundation grounded in innovation, ethics, and resilience

Program Structure

Earn your certificate by completing the required four (4) online courses for a total of 12 credits. Each course is six (6) weeks in length, and students can expect to spend approximately 15 hours of work per week on coursework.

Courses are offered online, asynchronously. Courses have scheduled start and end dates and weekly-paced work over the six (6) week period. SUST 502 & 503 include the option for synchronous sessions.

Courses can be completed in any order, but are conveniently scheduled sequentially, allowing you to complete the program in two terms.

• (offered January - February 2026)
• (offered March - April 2026)
• (offered May - June 2026)
• (offered July - August 2026)

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 throughout the program and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 at the end of the program to earn the graduate certificate in sustainability from the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥.

Important Timelines

• Applications Open: September 1, 2025
• Applications Close: December 5, 2025
• Program Starts: January 5, 2026, with SUST 501: Foundations of Sustainability

Limited spots available, apply today to secure your place and join a global community of learners and changemakers.