The new semester brings with it a new offering for graduate students from the Department of Political Science. The department is offering a new certificate program in sustainability politics and policy, designed to provide training and analysis on issues connecting environmental and social sustainability, politics and policy making initiatives, according to the program's website.
"We'll cover the environmental and social aspects of sustainability and how they pertain to policy making," said Stacy VanDeveer, associate professor of political science and coordinator of the certificate program.
Colleen Flaherty, who is working towards her M.A. in political science, is one of several students currently enrolled or applying to enroll in the program.
"When I found out about the certificate program, I was eager to enroll because the program dovetails nicely with my research interests in environmental politics," said Flaherty. "I had already taken a few courses about environmental politics, so applying for the certificate program seemed like a natural step."
Current graduate students are just one of the groups that the new program is designed for, according to VanDeveer.
"We think that there will be people in the workforce [interested in the program] and hope that those new people will be drawn into campus," said VanDeveer.
Certificate programs are smaller and more focused than masters degree programs. The sustainability politics and policy certificate requires 13 credits. Two courses in the political science department, POLT 851 (Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy) and POLT 880 (International Environmental Politics) are required, totaling six credits. Two three-credit electives, which can be chosen from a variety of other departments such as history, economics, and natural resources, in addition to political science, are also required, along with a one-credit independent study course.
Flaherty believes the topic is an important one.
"I believe the question of sustainability is going to define our generation," he said. "We need to give serious thought and action towards changing our local, national and global practices. I think creating more sustainable policies is the only way our world is going to be able to survive and have the potential to meet the basic needs of millions of impoverished people."
VanDeveer hopes that the program will attract students from disciplines other than political science, such as those studying economics or environmental education. Although the program might seem to be a natural for those looking to work in the public or non-profit sectors, he believes the opportunities to apply the certificate will go beyond that.
"There are a growing number of opportunities for people with training in sustainability in the private sector," he said.
Flaherty looks forward to putting the certificate to use when she completes the requirements for both the certificate and her masters this spring.
"I hope to work in the field of sustainable development and help impoverished communities create sustainable practices that work for their culture, location and needs," he said.
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