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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Find Funding
Search for IonE funding opportunities to support your sustainability research, teaching or education.
Sustainability Education on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with student stories, announcements and more.
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
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
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
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.
Upcoming Events