A Minor for All Majors
Apply what you learn in the Sustainability Studies minor to whatever field you’re entering. It’s open to students from any major.
As a future physician associate, I see my role as a provider to go further than just treating my patients in the hospital, but rather at looking at their long-term wellbeing through building a healthy environment for all.
Program Overview
The Sustainability Studies Minor is something you do – not just something you study. Get details and learn how this minor connects sustainability concepts to practical challenges across disciplines.
What You’ll Learn
Through the Sustainability Studies Minor, you'll create connections across majors and colleges, build networks with community leaders and open doors to meaningful careers after graduation.
You’ll Explore:
- How environmental, economic and social systems intersect
- Approaches to solving complex sustainability challenges
- Perspectives from the natural, social and applied sciences
- Leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills you can apply across majors, careers and communities
Undergraduate Courses
Explore undergraduate courses that count toward your Sustainability Studies minor and discover how they can fit into your academic plan.
Course Options Include:
- Core sustainability courses
- Electives across four subject areas
- Optional hands-on learning opportunities, including internships, environmental justice programming and community-engaged courses
Program Requirements & Flexibility
Requirements
Program requirements include:
- No prerequisites
- 15 total credits completed through five or more courses
- Two required courses introducing the foundations of sustainability (6 credits)
- Three or more electives drawn from at least three of four subject areas:
- Social Sciences & Humanities
- Economics & Policy
- Biophysical Sciences
- Design & Technology
Flexibility
The Sustainability Studies minor is designed to fit with almost any major.
- Environment-related courses in your major may count toward the Sustainability Studies Minor
- If a course does not currently qualify, you can request approval through a simple petition process
- For example, a course like Green Chemistry in chemical engineering may qualify toward the minor
- You may also apply relevant study abroad coursework toward the minor
How to Enroll
Students in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences use one registration form. Students from all other colleges should use the non-CFANS registration form.
Explore related undergraduate and graduate programs where sustainability plays a central role.
Outside the Classroom
Take your sustainability studies further through global experiences, leadership programs and hands-on opportunities.
International Experiences
Join an international experience or study abroad and explore sustainability across cultures, environments and communities. Plus, relevant coursework counts toward your Sustainability Studies minor, so you can stay on track academically.
Study abroad opportunities:
- Travel to Germany: Meet leaders who are working to solve the social, technical and political challenges caused by climate change.
- Conference of the Parties: Participate in international climate negotiations as an online delegate. Work with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – no travel required.
- Other UMN Study Abroad Sustainability Opportunities: Search all University of Minnesota study abroad programs with sustainability coursework. Filter by country, date of travel or academic focus to find opportunities that match your interests and goals.
Student Engagement & Leadership
Sustainability education offers ways to get involved beyond the classroom. Whether you’re working on projects or connecting with others who share your passion, you’re building leadership skills that translate across career fields. Opportunities include:
- Joining the IonE Undergraduate Leaders Program, a cohort-based leadership experience
- Taking part in student-driven initiatives and co-curricular opportunities
- Engaging with sustainability programming during Welcome Week
- Connecting with students, educators and partners across campuses and communities
Petitioning Courses
The Sustainability Studies minor is designed to be flexible. This allows you to tailor electives to your academic interests and professional goals. While all students complete two required core courses, many elective options can be customized through petitions, study abroad and independent projects.
All course petitions require approval from the minor advisor or coordinator, Grant McCormack.
What You Can Petition
You can request approval for a range of sustainability-related coursework, including:
- Study abroad courses
- Special topics courses
- New or unlisted courses not currently in the catalog
- Directed study or faculty-supervised research projects
Courses should clearly connect to sustainability themes and align with one of the minor’s elective categories.
To help you plan, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Up to six elective credits may come from study abroad
- Up to one 1xxx or 2xxx–level course may count, with approval
- All students must still complete the two required core courses:
- SUST 3003 (intro course)
- SUST 4004 (capstone course)
Find additional details for students planning to apply study abroad toward the Sustainability Studies minor.
Study Abroad
You may apply relevant coursework completed while studying abroad toward elective requirements. While other programs may qualify, you can find a recommended list of programs through the Learning Abroad Center.
Directed Study
You may also pursue directed study or a research project focused on sustainability. These options allow you to design a project with a faculty member and request elective credit based on the scope and learning outcomes. Speak with your professors for more information. Or you can learn more about opportunities through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
We strongly recommend planning ahead for any of these options.
To submit a course petition, contact:
Grant McCormack
Sustainability Studies minor Advisor
Meet Your Advisor
Grant McCormack is the Sustainability Studies minor advisor. Whether you’re just starting out in the minor or you’re well into your studies, he can help you understand your options and map out next steps. Schedule a meeting to:
- Plan your Sustainability Studies minor
- Review electives and study abroad options
- Get a petition approval
- Ask questions about requirements
Email Grant McCormack: [email protected]
Schedule an Advising Appointment
Use the link below to schedule an appointment online.
Where to Meet:
For in-person appointments: The Advising Center, 130 Coffey Hall, St. Paul Campus
Virtual appointments are also available.
Sustainability Education in the News
Sustainability Education on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with student stories, announcements and more.
Program Leaders
A diverse group of faculty and program leaders from across the University collaborate to develop and support the Sustainability Studies minor curriculum.
Questions
Have questions about the Minor? Contact Sustainability Studies Minor Advisor, Grant McCormack.