Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

Certificate

About this program

The Certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions gives you a flexible, in-depth understanding of climate change. You will study a foundational course and choose classes on causes, impacts, and solutions, including at least one advanced climate‑justice course. Most of your work will be at the upper-division level. The program lets students and community members from many sectors explore climate science, social justice, and real‑world action.

Program Curriculum and Requirements

Certificate

What you can do

Employment Opportunities

A Certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions prepares you for careers such as Atmospheric Scientists, Geological and Petroleum Technicians, Geoscientists, Hydrologists, Postsecondary Teachers, Atmospheric Scientist (including Meteorologist), Chemist and Materials Scientist, Environmental Engineers, Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Physicists and Astronomers, Biological Technicians, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, High School Teachers, Natural Sciences Managers.

From Our Students

I think it's really important that we don't view a climate career as just something around the science of climate change or nonprofit work. I think working in urban planning, driving for public transit, [or] working at a sustainable and ethical fashion company can be climate careers as well. You can use the knowledge that you get in the Certificate program to challenge any workplace to be more sustainable and socially just.

Sam Montell

B.A. Environmental Studies, Climate Change Certificate

Program Scope

The Certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions gives students a foundational understanding of climate change’s causes, effects, and solutions so they can take action in their communities.

The program is open to students of all majors, and non-matriculated students as well. While some of the courses that count toward the certificate are in the sciences, the program is not exclusively for science majors. In fact, the program was designed so that students from any major can take any course — there are few to no prerequisites.

Program Learning Outcomes

Explain and analyze the natural, social, economic, and/or political causes of anthropogenic climate change.
Identify the natural, social, economic, and/or political impacts of anthropogenic climate change.
Identify solutions to anthropogenic climate change and demonstrate the ability to translate knowledge into action.
Critically analyze and identify examples of the relationship between anthropogenic climate change and social justice.
Apply evolving understanding of climate change causes, impacts and solutions towards real-world action.

Admissions and Aid

Ready to take the next step? SFSU makes it simple to apply and get the support you need.