certificate

Environmental Studies

Designed for those who want to make a real difference in the world, this program provides a multidisciplinary perspective on a variety of environmental issues. You'll also acquire a strong foundation for understanding the complex relationship between humans and the environment. This certificate is offered mostly online. 

This program is perfect for...

  • Students interested in environmental studies
  • Students seeking to pursue environmental graduate degrees
  • Environmental professionals seeking career advancement
  • Professionals looking to change careers

What you can learn.

  • Understand the interrelationships between humans and the natural environment
  • Think critically about current environmental issues and recommend effective and creative solutions
  • Analyze and interpret physical geography data, complex global patterns, and processes of the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
  • Formulate environmental research questions and hypothesis to evaluate solutions to complex real world issues
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Virtual Open House

Learn how our programs in sustainability and environmental studies can help you achieve your career goals in this informative online session, with an opportunity for Q&A.

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Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required Courses
GEOG XL 1
Typically Offered: Winter
GEOG XL 5
Typically Offered: Fall
ENVIRON X 14
Typically Offered: Spring
PUB PLC X 461
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

3400.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

350.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

International Students

International students are welcome to take the Environmental Studies Certificate, however, all four courses are in the online format. Since international students must take at least 12 units (typically 3 courses) every quarter to maintain F-1 Visa requirements of which only one can be online, it is recommended that international students complete the Sustainability Certificate and Environmental Studies Certificate simultaneously, since Sustainability courses can be taken on-ground or online.

The Sustainability Certificate is comprised of 5 courses, while the Environmental Studies Certificate is comprised of 4 courses. Together, that is 9 courses: completing three courses each quarter for a total of three quarters fulfills the visa requirements and will earn you two certificates in very related fields. This is a recommended schedule for American students as well.

Rebecca Shipe, UCLA Professor, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability  

Dr. Carol Armstrong, Chief of Staff to Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero, Los Angeles River Works

Stephanie Landregan, Program Director, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Gardening, UCLA Extension  

Scott Hutchinson, Program Director, Arts, UCLA Extension  

Michelle Kinman, Clean Energy Advocate, Environment California/Environment California Research & Policy Center  

Bahram Fazeli, Director of Research & Policy, Communities for a Better Environment  

Kaya Foster, Student Program Director, Sustainable Works  

Noah Garrison, Environmental Science Practicum Director, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability  

Nurit Katz, Chief Sustainability Officer, Executive Officer, Facilities Management, UCLA, Extension Instructor  

Michael Smith, National Chapter Representative, California Association of Environmental Professions, Extension Instructor

Contact Us

Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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