The Certificate in Sustainable Innovation is designed to provide students in any VCU baccalaureate program the option of adding a formal certificate program in sustainability and sustainable approaches to problem-solving. The Certificate in Sustainable Innovation will use a systems-thinking approach to problems of sustainability across all of the academic disciplines.
Admissions
Applications are available through the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability administrative office [Trani Center for Life Sciences, Room 111; (804) 828-1562] or by emailing slss@vcu.edu. Admission requires a minimum 2.8 grade point average. For transfer students, grade point average will be a compilation of grade points from transfer credits and courses taken at VCU.
Curriculum
Gateway course: 3 credits
ENVS 300 Sustainable Societies: James River Basin
Sustainability electives: 12 credits
Students should choose from courses with the sustainability attribute. An updated list of these courses is available from the Center for Environmental Studies or may be accessed each semester by searching the Schedule of Classes with Attribute Type, Sustainability.
Culminating practical experience: 3 credits
Students will complete the Certificate in Sustainable Innovation by fulfilling a 400-level directed research project/independent study or internship. The project or internship may be in any discipline, but a proposal must be approved in advance by the director of the certificate program as meeting the learning outcomes for the certificate.
Additional requirements
Students in the certificate program will be required to maintain a portfolio for the duration of the program in which they will summarize their elective courses and describe how each course meets the goals of the certificate program. The portfolio also will include a product from their culminating practical experience.
The minimum total of credit hours required for this certificate is 18.