During the last decade, the sustainability movement has changed from conservation efforts and recycling programs to initiating daily individual and organizational changes that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental conservation, economic prosperity and a just society for present and future generations.

To help students prepare for this mindset in their future careers, Missouri State University is now offering a sustainability minor.

“Sustainability is so much more than the sciences and the environment,” said Jordan Schanda, sustainability coordinator at Missouri State. “This minor will teach students more about the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental and economic). It’s really exciting that we have more than 40 courses to choose from to help students complete this interdisciplinary minor.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for graduates educated in concentrations related to sustainability is expected to increase at least 20 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Curriculum

The new minor in sustainability was designed to complement most degree programs and disciplines, from the arts to the sciences, while providing the research, writing and critical thinking skills associated with sustainability that is desired by many employers across many disciplines.

Four curricular tracks are available for those interested in pursuing this minor: technology and built environment, environmental systems, social equity and ethics, and economics and policy. Students will be required to take courses from at least two tracks so they can be exposed to a broader spectrum of sustainability topics.

Other sustainability news

Missouri State recently purchased an additional 200 kilowatts of solar power from City Utilities (bringing the total to 400 kilowatts).

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education issued Missouri State a Silver rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System.

For more information, contact Schanda at (417) 836-4993.