Graduate Opportunities

Graduate opportunities at the Institute on the Environment put you in the middle of real-world sustainability work. Develop professional skills, gain research experience, pursue a graduate certificate and even travel overseas. Opportunities are open to graduate and professional students from all degree programs.

Graduate Programs in Sustainability

Sustainability Leadership Workshop Series

Build the knowledge, skills and community to lead sustainability impact – wherever your path takes you.

The 2026–27 series focuses on four core planning competencies that are essential to sustainability leadership: values thinking, systems thinking, futures thinking, strategic thinking.

UMN students sit in class with their laptops.

Sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership Graduate Certificate

Want to lead sustainability efforts in your company? The Sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership Graduate Certificate may be for you. Developed through a collaboration between Minnesota Carlson, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the Institute on the Environment, this certificate gives you practical tools to develop eco-friendly solutions. Learn from leading industry faculty to implement improvements across a variety of job sectors.

A student gives a presentation to a small group in front of a presentation board.

Graduate Courses across UMN

Deepen your sustainability knowledge through graduate courses across UMN. Courses feature sustainability topics across a wide array of disciplines, from biology to public affairs to computer science and beyond. Understand complex environmental issues and apply what you learn in real-world settings.

Students walking down a path lined with UMN flags and blooming cherry blossom trees.

Related Programs

Interested in related sustainability programs? The University of Minnesota offers a range of graduate programs and courses, including interdisciplinary options and programs that partner with the Law School. Find one that fits your goals.

Browse Related Programs

Take Your Education Across Borders

Paulina Vergara Buitrago poses behind a vibrant COP30 sign at the conference in Brazil.

Conference of the Parties Climate Convention

Join IonE students at the United Nations’ annual climate convention – the Conference of the Parties. Step into global climate negotiations and gain firsthand insight into how international decisions are made.

A Front-Row Seat to Global Change

University attendees stand in front of a Brasil COP 30 Amazonia sign

My first COP was immensely enriching in being able to begin to understand how they actually work, witness the immense work that people from all walks of life put to defending the rights of nature and people, all of that while being rooted in a city that was rich in biodiversity.

Sutirtha Lahiri

COP Delegate, 2025

COP Stories

Find Funding

Diele Lobo gives a presentation to a group in front of an IonE poster.

Search for IonE funding opportunities to support your sustainability research, teaching or education.

Learn About Funding

Sustainability Education on Instagram

Follow On Instagram

Are you a UMN graduate student interested in building sustainability leadership skills?

The Sustainability Leadership Workshop Series is an interdisciplinary professional development opportunity for UMN graduate students who want to strengthen their ability to create positive environmental and social change. Students of all degrees are encouraged to register, free of charge!

Several of the workshops are close to capacity. Register soon to secure your spot. Waitlists will be available once a workshop fills.

Learn more & register at z.umn.edu/sust-workshops

Are you an undergrad ready to take climate action? Join the Institute on the Environment's Clean Energy Leaders! Work with peers to develop leadership skills and go on experiential field trips. Build connections that will help you identify the right career path for your interests and skills. Program participants may receive up to $4,000 and a summer internship.

Learn more & apply by Tuesday, October 20 at z.umn.edu/clean-energy-leaders

Are you a UMN student interested in the renewable energy revolution? Apply to study abroad in Germany over winter break. This 3-credit, experiential course fulfills the Global Perspectives and Environment Liberal Education requirements. Scholarships are available for TC undergrads with financial need. Sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students from any discipline and UMN college or campus are encouraged to apply!

Learn more and apply by Thursday, October 1, at z.umn.edu/ione-germany

Yearly Events

IonE’s yearly events help you share research, connect across disciplines and strengthen your communication and leadership skills. Get more information about the background of each yearly event, then join us for the next gathering.

Showcase Sustainability Solutions

Sustainability Symposium

Connect with students across disciplines and UMN campuses to share sustainability-related ideas, solutions, projects, art and more. The Sustainability Symposium is a space to exchange ideas, receive feedback and connect with others working toward a common sustainability goal.

Advance Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Summit

Join students, community members and organizations for conversations and collaboration centered on environmental justice. The summit creates space to learn from diverse perspectives, build relationships and take on sustainability challenges through a justice-focused lens.

Communicate Science Clearly

Speaking Science

Build practical science communication skills that help translate complex research into clear, engaging messages. You’ll learn how to turn data and ideas into stories, conversations and messages that resonate with broader audiences.