Sustainability Certificate Program
The 2024-25 Sustainability Certificate Program is Now Live!
Don't miss Sustainability at the UC class this December 11th!
Enrollment is OPEN!
(at the UC Learning Center portal)
Join us!
Program information
Examine sustainability through multiple lenses and develop knowledge and strategies for building a more inclusive and sustainable campus. Current staff, faculty, and graduate students are eligible to participate.
To complete the certificate, participants must complete five core courses of choice and one elective within two academic years.
You can enroll directly using the links below for each course.
Learn more about the faculty, staff, and community experts who are serving as Program Instructors.
Please review our Course descriptions and cancelation policy.
2024-25 Courses in chronological order
FALL 2024 Courses
October 2nd (2:30 - 5:00 pm) Sustainability at the UC, program KICK OFF (1 of 2) - In person
November 6th (2:30 - 5:00 pm) Beyond the Blue Bin: Understanding Zero Waste (1 of 2) - In person
November 20th (2:30 - 5:00 pm) Climate Change Science & Policy (1 of 2) - In person
December 4th (1-3:30) Climate Justice* (1 of 1) - Virtual via Zoom
December 11th (1-3:30) Sustainability at the UC (2 of 2) - Virtual via Zoom
WINTER 2025 Courses
January 10th (1 - 3:00) Transportation for All: creating sustainable and equitable systems (1 of 2) - Virtual via Zoom
January 22nd (2:30 - 5:00) Sustainability and Environmental Justice (1 of 2) - In person
January 29th (2:30 - 4:30 pm) Green Offices - In person
February 12th (1-3:00) Climate Change Science & Policy (2 of 2) - Virtual via Zoom
March 5th (1-3:30) Sustainable Cities & Social Equity* - Virtual via Zoom
March 12th (1-3:30) Beyond the Blue Bin: Understanding Zero Waste (2 of 2) - Virtual via Zoom
March 21st (1-3:00) Transportation for All: creating sustainable and equitable systems (2 of 2) - In person
SPRING 2025 Courses
April 30th (2:30 - 4:00) Community Engagement* - In person
May 14th (1:00 - 3:00) Sustainability and Environmental Justice (2 of 2) - Virtual via Zoom
* elective courses.
2024-25 Courses by Type
CORE Courses
• Sustainability in the UC (core) - 2 offerings:
- October 2nd and
- December 11th
• Beyond the Blue Bin: Understanding Zero Waste (core) - 2 offerings:
- November 6th and
- March 12th
• Green Offices (core) - 2 offerings:
• Sustainability and Environmental Justice (core) - 2 offerings:
• Transportation for All: creating sustainable and equitable systems (core) - 2 offerings:
- January 10th and
- December 4th
- April 30th
(prior to class 2 hours of volunteer work of your choice is required - see the course description for more information.)
Additional Information
There is no formal enrollment into the program or pre-requisite to join.
Just enroll in the classes of choice.
We encourage you to take Sustainability at the UC, the first class of the program on October 2nd.
If you are not able, you can begin the program with any other course that suits your schedule.
(Note that Sustainability at the UC will be offered one more time this year, via Zoom on December 11th).
If you have issues or need assistance registering for courses, please contact LearningCenter@ucsc.edu.
Email certificate@ucsc.edu with questions about the program.
* If you have taken the Intersections Between Diversity & Environment class through the Diversity & Inclusion Certificate Program (within the two-year time-frame), you do not need to take it again through the Sustainability Certificate Program.
Read our Annual Reports to learn more about the program.