Sustainable Innovation Certificate

The Sustainable Innovation Certificate is an interdisciplinary program open to students in any undergraduate major at VCU. This certificate equips students with the knowledge and skills to address complex environmental and societal challenges through sustainable, systems-based approaches.

By engaging with sustainability-focused coursework across disciplines, students learn to think critically about real-world problems and develop innovative solutions that promote environmental stewardship, economic resilience and social responsibility.

Curriculum Overview

Total Credits Required: 18

Gateway Course (3 credits)

ENVS 300 – Sustainable Societies: James River Basin

This foundational course introduces students to sustainability through a systems-thinking lens, with a focus on regional environmental challenges.

Sustainability Electives (12 credits)

Students will complete 12 credits from courses designated with the Sustainability attribute.

An updated list of approved courses is available through the Center for Environmental Studies or by searching the Schedule of Classes using the Sustainability attribute filter.

Culminating Practical Experience (3 credits)

Students will complete a hands-on learning experience through one of the following:

Directed research project (400-level)
Independent study
Internship

Projects may be in any discipline but must be approved in advance by the certificate program director to ensure alignment with program learning outcomes.

Why Pursue This Certificate?

The Sustainable Innovation Certificate prepares students to:

Apply systems thinking to complex global challenges
Integrate sustainability into diverse career fields
Gain practical, real-world experience through research or internships
Build a portfolio that showcases applied learning and impact