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

Skills to Solve Today's Environmental Challenges

At UD, our major in sustainability trains future leaders with the knowledge, skills and values needed to address today's social and environmental challenges. Experiential learning, research and campus engagement are at the core of your education. You'll join more than 100 sustainability scholars and the Hanley Sustainability Institute in research, education and hands-on learning, both on-campus and in the community.

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
Program Overview

Why Study Sustainability at UD?

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.

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.

Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about sustainability at UD.

Catholic, Marianist Education
UD Is Home
Holistic Advising
Experiential Learning

Degree Information

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

Available Degrees

Transfer and Exam Credits
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Admission Information

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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Tuition and Financial Aid

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.

Transparent Tuition Plan
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Academic Information

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

Sample Plan of Study

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 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 your holistic advisor if you have any 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.

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

Sample Plan of Study

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 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 your holistic advisor if you have any 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
  • General Elective
    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
  • General Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • SEE 401 – Sustainability Project Management
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • General Electives
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 8
  • SEE 402 – Community-Engaged Sustainability
    3
  • General Electives
    12
  • Total Credit Hours 15
* For minor or second major.

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

Sample Plan of Study

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 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 your holistic advisor if you have any 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
  • General Elective
    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
  • General Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • SEE 401 – Sustainability Project Management
    3
  • Sustainability Major Elective
    3
  • General Electives
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 8
  • SEE 402 – Community-Engaged Sustainability
    3
  • General Electives
    12
  • Total Credit Hours 15
* For minor or second major.

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.

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Explore Student Outcomes
Fast Facts

$61,279 average

starting salary across all UD majors

97% success rate

after graduation across all majors

Design Your Academic Path

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
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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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