Master in Sustainability

The Master Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentration in Sustainability is offered by the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies and administered through and housed in the Department of Urban and Public Affairs.

Program Overview

The large-scale goal of the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Sustainability Degree program (both MA and MS degrees) is to prepare students to address complex regional, state, national and global challenges posed by the intersection of human exponential growth and increasingly limited resources that support society. Students seeking a career involving research or doctoral program should consider pursuing the Master of Science option.

The exponentially rising demands that human populations make on natural resources and ecological systems that supply us with energy, food, water and many other ecosystem services will be further threatened by climate change and the pollution of air, soil, and water. Continued reliance on a “business as usual” approach to the economic production and consumption of goods and services, often characterized by the stresses it places on The Commons and by a disregard for environmental and social justice, now threatens the ability of the natural world to absorb our collective impact, erodes our collective security, and polarizes our societies. Substantial changes in social contracts, economic systems, as well as individual and institutional behaviors will be needed to provide more sustainable, healthy and secure societies. National, regional and local experimentation is needed to find solutions to societal challenges.

This Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Sustainability program is an initiative of the University of Louisville’s Sustainability Council which seeks to integrate sustainability into everything that goes on at UofL. Students in the program are encouraged to contribute to the Sustainability Council’s efforts to explore sustainable solutions for UofL and our community. More information about the UofL Sustainability Council can be found on their website at louisville.edu/sustainability

Curriculum

Students may pursue either a Master of Arts (MA) (30 credit hours) or a Master of Science (MS) (33 credit hours) degree with a concentration in Sustainability. All students will complete 15 credit hours of core courses/seminars, 3 credit hours in a core methods course, and 9 credit hours in core elective courses. Students pursuing the MA will complete a 3 credit hour capstone project, while students pursuing the MS will complete a 6 credit hour thesis.

Core Areas

Students will work with their academic committees to select the core area and elective courses required. It is strongly recommended that the student distribute elective courses such that at least three (3) credit hours are in an area other than that of their home department. Courses other than those listed below may be acceptable with the program director's approval. All courses are 3 credit hours unless indicated otherwise in parentheses.

Admissions

The program maintains a rolling admissions policy; the admission decision is made as soon as the application package is complete. Recommended target date of application are July 15 for fall semester admission, November 15 for spring semester admission, and April 15 for summer session admission. Although students may start in any semester, beginning the program in the fall semester ensures the program can be completed on schedule.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. There is no preferred bachelor’s degree. A completed application form, a transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from a university where the language of instruction is English must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 78 or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5.

Tuition/Financial Aid

Current tuition rates for University of Louisville students are here .

Tuition for Kentucky residents for academic year 2020-2021 is $7,530 per semester for full-time (9 or more credit hours) or $837 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state residents is $14,587 per semester for full-time or $1,621 per credit hour.

The Department of Urban and Public Affairs has limited scholarship funding for MA/MS in Sustainability students. The amount of the funding varies from year to year, but is typically about $1,000 per semester. Scholarship awards are highly competitive. Scholarship decisions are made in the late spring for the upcoming fall semester, so students wanting to apply for the scholarship should plan to have a complete application packet by April 1 and should contact the program director for more information.

The University also offers financial support for graduate students. Interested students should check the Graduate School Financial Support website regularly for financial aid opportunities.

Contact

Tamara Sluss, Ph.D., Program Director
Phone: (502) 852-4040
Email: tamara.sluss@louisville.edu