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Sustainability (B.A., B.S.)

Skills to Solve Today's Environmental Challenges

Experiential learning, research and campus engagement are at the core of your education in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sustainability from the Department of Earth, Environment and Sustainability at the University of Dayton. Designed to train future leaders with the knowledge and values needed to solve complex environmental challenges, both degree options let you join a vibrant network of over 100 sustainability scholars—preparing you for high-impact careers in conservation, public policy, renewable energy and corporate stewardship.

Through the 3+3 J.D. Program, you can earn your Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and Juris Doctor in as little as six years.

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Fast Facts

Flexibility

with two types of degrees

Get Involved

in community-engaged learning and service opportunities
About the Sustainability (B.A., B.S.) Program

Why study sustainability at UD?

Green College

The University of Dayton is a leader in sustainability efforts, and we're committed to making the world a better place — for everyone. Through our work toward our sustainability goals, the University has earned a gold STARS rating for our achievements and the Princeton Review named UD a green college.

Research

Through opportunities like the Dean's Summer Fellowship you can work with faculty to conduct research. You can then share your research at the Stander Symposium, an annual campus-wide forum that recognizes student learning through faculty-mentored undergraduate research and scholarship.

Sustainability Student Leaders

The Sustainability Student Leaders program provides positions to students, giving them opportunities to gain professional experience and leadership in their area of interest — and the ability to combine their expertise with a passion for more sustainable communities.

The River Stewards

River Stewards is a three-year, community-engaged learning and leadership program focused on rivers and watersheds. Stewards provide service to the community, and work together to develop a project in their senior year.

Hanley Sustainability Institute

Our Hanley Sustainability Institute and its sustainability program provide students with a broad base of skills in the emerging field of sustainability. Students with a major in sustainability learn how to work across disciplines to identify and solve sustainability problems.

Two Degree Options

At UD, you can choose the B.A. degree to focus on policy, ethics and advocacy, or the B.S. degree to specialize in environmental systems and quantitative analysis.

Take the Next Step

Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about sustainability at UD.

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How do I apply to the sustainability program?

At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.

Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.

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What is the tuition cost and is financial aid available?

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.

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Undergraduate Tuition
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Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Sustainability (B.A., B.S.) Degree Requirements and Information
Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees each require a total of at least 120 credit hours. These degrees also includes requirements from our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP).

About the Degree

This program offers a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

The Sustainability Program at the University of Dayton connects passion, purpose and vocation. In addition to instilling a strong sustainability ethic, the program integrates a transdisciplinary perspective through which you'll gain knowledge of social, cultural and political dimensions of sustainability from the local to global scale. With faculty from across the university, you'll address the integral connection between natural and social systems.

You'll develop a basic knowledge in systems thinking, ethics and environmental justice, community engagement, urban design and development, ecology and resource management, not only to understand the complex questions and challenges you will face in the workplace, but also to communicate ways to respond to those challenges.

Each student works closely with a faculty advisor and affiliate faculty in developing a vocational pathway through coursework, research and experiential learning. You'll benefit from a broad range of courses that provide a holistic perspective on sustainability, as well as disciplinary and methods courses carefully selected to enhance your skills and technical knowledge.

Community-engaged learning, a capstone project working with community partners, the opportunity for study abroad and local work-experience opportunities provide you with experience beyond the classroom and the university campus.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Sustainability (B.A.)

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • ASI 150 – Introduction to the University Experience
    1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • CMM 100 – Principles of Oral Communication
    3
  • SEE 250 – Introduction to Sustainability, Energy & the Environment
    3
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • Language 101
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • SEE 280 – Sustainable Communities
    3
  • CAP Natural Science with Lab
    4
  • B.A. Humanities
    3
  • Language 141
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • SEE 322 – Cities and Suburbs: Urban Sustainability
    3
  • SEE 325 – Global Sustainable Development
    3
  • CAP Mathematics
    3
  • Language 201 or Contextual
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 4
  • SEE 301 – Earth Systems & Global Climate Change
    3
  • SEE 310 – Sustainability Scenarios
    3
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • B.A. Natural Science or Math
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 5
  • SEE 303, VAR 333 or SEE 435 – 303 or 333: Constructions of Place; 435: System Modeling for Sustainability
    3
  • SEE 323 – Cities and Energy
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    4
  • B.A. Interdisciplinary Programs (other than SUS)
    3
  • B.A. Social Science
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 6
  • ENG 370 – Report & Proposal Writing
    3
  • B.A. Arts
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • B.A. Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • SEE 401 – Sustainability Project Management
    3
  • CAP Advanced Religious Studies/Faith Traditions
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • B.A. Elective
    3
  • General Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 8
  • SEE 402 – Community-Engaged Sustainability
    3
  • General Electives
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 12
* For minor or second major.
** Satisfies CAP major capstone.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Sustainability (B.S.), engineering focus

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • ASI 150 – Introduction to the University Experience
    1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • GEO 109 and 109L – 109: Earth, Environment, and Society; 109L: Earth, Environment, and Society Lab
    4
  • SEE 250 – Introduction to Sustainability, Energy & the Environment
    3
  • CAP Mathematics
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • CMM 100 – Principles of Oral Communication
    3
  • SEE 280 – Sustainable Communities
    3
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • CAP Natural Science with Lab
    4
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • PHY 206 – General Physics I - Mechanics
    3
  • MTH 168 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus I
    4
  • SEE 325 – Global Sustainable Development
    3
  • SEE 303, VAR 333 or SEE 310 – 303 or 333: Constructions of Place; 310: Sustainability Scenarios
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester
  • SEE 301 – Earth Systems & Global Climate Change
    3
  • MTH 169 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus II
    4
  • PHY 207 – General Physics II - Electricity & Magnetism
    3
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 5
  • GIS 450, 451, 452 or HRS 451 – 450: Applied Geographic Information Systems; 451 (both): Geographic Information Systems for Human Rights; 452: Geographic Information Systems Applications in Water Resources Planning & Management
    4
  • SEE 323 – Cities and Energy
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • Additional Course
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 13
Semester 6
  • SEE 435 – System Modeling for Sustainability
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • CAP Advanced Religious Studies/Faith Traditions
    3
  • CAP Diversity and Social Justice
    3
  • Additional Course
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • SEE 401 – Sustainability Project Management
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • Additional Courses
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 8
  • SEE 402 – Community-Engaged Sustainability
    3
  • Additional Courses
    12
  • Total Credit Hours 15
* For minor or second major.
** Satisfies CAP major capstone.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Sustainability (B.S.), science focus

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • ASI 150 – Introduction to the University Experience
    1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • GEO 109 and 109L – 109: Earth, Environment, and Society; 109L: Earth, Environment, and Society Lab
    4
  • SEE 250 – Introduction to Sustainability, Energy & the Environment
    3
  • CAP Mathematics
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • CMM 100 – Principles of Oral Communication
    3
  • SEE 280 – Sustainable Communities
    3
  • CAP Natural Science with Lab
    4
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • CHM 123 and CHM 123L – 123: General Chemistry I; 123L: General Chemistry Laboratory
    4
  • MTH 148 or 168 – 148: Introductory Calculus I; 168: Analytic Geometry & Calculus I
    4
  • SEE 325 – Global Sustainable Development
    3
  • SEE 303, VAR 333 or SEE 310 – 303 or 333: Constructions of Place; 310: Sustainability Scenarios
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 17
Semester 4
  • SEE 301 – Earth Systems & Global Climate Change
    3
  • BIO 152 and 152L – 152: Concepts of Biology II: Evolution & Ecology; 152L: Concepts of Biology Laboratory II: Evolution & Ecology
    4
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    4
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 5
  • GIS 450, 451, 452 or HRS 451 – 450: Applied Geographic Information Systems; 451 (both): Geographic Information Systems for Human Rights; 452: Geographic Information Systems Applications in Water Resources Planning & Management
    4
  • SEE 323 – Cities and Energy
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    4
  • Additional Courses
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 6
  • SEE 435 – System Modeling for Sustainability
    3
  • CAP Advanced Religious Studies/Faith Traditions
    3
  • CAP Diversity and Social Justice
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • Additional Courses
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • SEE 401 – Sustainability Project Management
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • Additional Courses
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 8
  • SEE 402 – Community-Engaged Sustainability
    3
  • Additional Courses
    12
  • Total Credit Hours 15
* For minor or second major.
** Satisfies CAP major capstone.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

3+3 J.D. Accelerated Program for Sustainability

For undergraduate students pursuing any Bachelor of Arts degree, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law offers a 3+3 J.D. program, allowing students to complete their Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor in as little as 6 years.

Please consult with your holistic advisor for eligibility and timeline as you are scheduling your third-semester coursework.

Additional 3+3 J.D. Program Information
Transfer and Exam Credits
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Transfer and Exam Credits

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Transfer and Exam Credits

Courses based on experiential learning and student-run programs allow students to implement sustainability solutions in real-world situations.

University of Dayton students enjoy one-on-one mentorship opportunities to work with faculty on sustainability-related research projects.

Success After Graduation

Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our College of Arts and Sciences, you will have the opportunity to combine the classroom and business world together in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It’s a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.

Explore Career Services
Explore Student Outcomes
Fast Facts

$61,279 average

starting salary across all UD majors

97% success rate

after graduation across all majors

Beyond the Classroom: The UD Sustainability Experience

Developing Leaders

The Sustainability Student Leaders program provides positions to students, giving them opportunities to gain professional experience and leadership in their area of interest — and the ability to combine their expertise with a passion for more sustainable communities.

Explore Sustainability Student Leaders

The River Stewards

River Stewards is a three-year, community-engaged learning and leadership program focused on rivers and watersheds. Stewards provide service to the community, and work together to develop a project in their senior year.

Learn More about River Stewards

Dean's Summer Fellowship

An opportunity for undergraduate students within the College of Arts and Sciences to conduct summer research in any academic discipline under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Explore the Dean's Summer Fellowship

Stander Symposium

An annual campus-wide forum to showcase academic excellence and recognize student learning through faculty-mentored undergraduate research, scholarship and artistic accomplishment.

Explore the Stander Symposium
Walk. Run. Fly. Soar.

Success is a Journey

At the University of Dayton, you'll have a supportive community dedicated to fueling your success. Through guaranteed, real-world experience, you'll build the skills and confidence needed to be workforce ready.
Student Support
Community
Experiential Learning
Outcomes
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Ready to Study Sustainability at UD?

Let’s explore the possibilities. Now you know what we’re about: community, personal attention, hands-on learning, integrity and global thinking. Take the next step and connect with us today.

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