A student works with plants inside a greenhouse.

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

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.

UMN students sit in class with their laptops.
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.

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

Sustainability Education on Instagram

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with student stories, announcements and more.

Do you want real experience in a sustainability-focused career? SUST 4096 offers a range of internships for students across disciplines! Swipe or vistit z.umn.edu/sust4096options to see internships available for fall semester. 

Learn more & register at z.umn.edu/sust4096
As the semester wraps up and finals come to an end, we're looking back with gratitude on the 2026 Sustainability Symposium! Huge thanks to the students, sponsors and partners who made this event a success. From lightning talks to posters and creative works, the event showcased passion and innovation of students across all UMN campuses. 

Missed it or want to revisit the highlights? Read more: z.umn.edu/SustSymposium-Recap

See you next year!
Thank you everyone who submitted nominations for the 2026 Sustainability Student Impact awards! All the sustainability efforts and work by students demonstrated strong dedication to creating a more sustainable future. 

Swipe to learn about this year's Impact Award winners!

Read the full story: z.umn.edu/2026-Impact-Awardees

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.

Students and educators gather in the Atrium at IonE for the Sustainability Symposium poster exhibition.

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.

Attendees visit organization's booths at the 2025 Environmental Justice Summit.

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.

Dr. Tseganesh Selameab presents in front of a University of Minnesota podium at Speaking Science 2025.

Upcoming Events

HazMaTON Webinar: Plastic Paradox

Aug 19
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Public

SustAction Day

Sep 04
08:00 am - 04:30 pm
UMN Only

Practical Water Wisdom: Native Mussels

Sep 10
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
Public
Reach the IonE Graduate Program

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