Catholic University offers a number of academic programs, courses, and immersion experiences related to sustainability. As sustainability is interdisciplinary in nature, students can find sustainability-related courses across two dozen majors, minors, and concentrations in the School of Architecture and Planning, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Busch School of Business, the School of Engineering, the Columbus School of Law, the Conway School of Nursing, the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies, and the School of Theology and Religious Studies. 

Explore the opportunities below to see how you can integrate sustainability into your academic career.

Featured Undergraduate Programs

  • Sustainability Minor

    The Minor in Sustainability is open to the entire undergraduate student body. The curriculum for the minor seeks to combine the liberal arts (ethics, social sciences, science and technology) with courses that focus on the practice of sustainability (mostly housed in the professional schools). 

  • Environmental Chemistry Major & Minor

    Housed in the School of Arts and Sciences' Department of Chemistry, the objective of the environmental chemistry major and minor is to provide high-level education for students interested in environmental chemistry and environmental science.

  • Environmental Engineering Major

    Within the School of Engineering, students in the environmental engineering major are exposed to a wide range of fundamental science and engineering courses including math, physics, chemistry, biology, classical mechanics, hydraulics, and hydrology. Additionally, you will take courses designed to prepare you to tackle present-day environmental problems using modern technology.

  • Civil Engineering Major - Environmental Engineering Track

    A professional degree in civil engineering with a concentration in environmental engineering has an interdisciplinary focus that combines sciences, engineering, and public policy. The curriculum will provide you with the knowledge base and skills in physical, chemical, and biological sciences and engineering. You'll also learn how you can help protect the environment and solve problems in waste disposal, remediation, and pollution prevention.

  • Mechanical Engineering Major - Energy and the Environment

    A professional degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in energy and the environment aims to provide students with knowledge and skills of the growing and challenging areas in energy and environmental engineering and technology. Coursework related to this concentration focuses on various traditional energy systems and their drawbacks, modern or renewable energy technologies, fuels and combustion, environmental protection in ambient and indoor air, and waste, pollution, and climate change.

Featured Graduate Programs

  • Net Zero Design

    Housed within the School of Architecture and Planning, the Net Zero Design program provides students with an opportunity for full immersion into the theory and application of sustainable design and provides graduates with leadership skills in the field of sustainable design.

    The Master of Science in Net Zero Design program has earned the U.S. Department of Energy's Zero Energy Design Designation for ensuring students have a solid foundation in building science and an opportunity to apply that knowledge in a zero energy design practicum. The Designation recognizes the program's commitment to imbuing students with a greater understanding of the enduring impacts their design choice have on the built and natural environment.

Featured Courses

  • Sustainable Living Office

    The Sustainable Living Office is an independent study course that provides students with the opportunity to earn course credit for working on sustainability initiatives on campus. The Sustainable Living Office serves as a bridge between the Office of Campus Sustainability, other sustainability and environmental organizations on campus, and the student body, faculty, and staff. The goal of the office is to embrace student ideas, energy, and initiative and turn it into tangible actions and programs through a guided, hands-on approach. Read more about the Sustainable Living Office here.

  • LEED Lab

    LEED Lab is a course designed to explore sustainability principles through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process. LEED is an internationally recognized green building rating system and LEED Lab provides students with first-hand green building experience to prepare them for the workforce upon graduation. Read more about LEED Lab here.

  • Busch School Team Field Studies

    Since Spring 2020, the Office of Campus Sustainability has collaborated with Busch School graduates students taking the MSBA 5150 Team Field Study class. Throughout the course, students work in teams to analyze a real-world business problem under the guidance of a sponsoring company, which in this case is the Office of Campus Sustainability. Read more about the Team Field Study class here.

Course-Specific Sustainability Tours

The Office of Campus Sustainability offers sustainability tours to individual courses every semester. Tours can be tailored to specific course content, such as renewable energy, LEED buildings, or water management, and occur during a regularly scheduled class time. To request a tour, email sustainability@cua.edu.