University of Wyoming Logo

Sustainability

Minor

Apply Now Visit Campus

Student holds a pen and notepad in a dry field while looks off into the distance

Make a difference with a sustainability minor

Communities, organizations and individuals are looking for ways to live and operate more sustainably… to consume fewer nonrenewable resources, create less waste, make systems that support people to be prosperous, healthy and productive. You can be part of that change!

UW’s sustainability minor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources teaches students how to understand, analyze and implement sustainable solutions. So you can be part of the impactful group of people working toward a better, more equitable world for future generations. 

Request Info

Program Details

Tuition and Fees

Please visit our cost of attendance page

Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources

About the Sustainability Minor

The sustainability studies minor is an 18+ credit-hour program that can be added to any undergraduate degree at UW. This program includes three core sustainability minor courses and your choice of three approved electives. Elective topics include food systems, economics, energy, environment, policy and more.

Throughout your courses, you’ll learn essential skills including written and spoken communication, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. So you’re ready to make a difference regardless of your chosen industry or career path.

A student looks at plants in a greenhouse

Class being taught in a warehouse

All students in undergraduate Haub School programs, including majors and minors, must earn a C or better in all Haub School program requirements. Students enrolled in multiple Haub School programs must earn 12 credits unique to each program.

Student points into the distance while another student looks the same way

 

Can you go to graduate school for sustainability?

 

Sustainability Careers

Many of our graduates go on to pursue additional education, and some choose to pursue academia, teaching and research. Here are some of the advanced degrees our recent graduates are pursuing:

  • M.S. in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh
  • M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University
  • J.D. in Law at the University of Wyoming
  • M.S. in Sustainability at Arizona State University
  • M.P.H. in Public Health Administration at Missouri State University
  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming
  • M.S. in Sustainability Solutions at Arizona State University
  • M.Arch. in Architecture at Arizona State University
  • M.S. in Sustainability in Urban Environments at the City College of New York

 

 

Researcher teaches class in the forest during a study abroad trip

What jobs do UW sustainability alumni have?

Here are some of the positions our recent graduates hold:

  • Sustainability Program Manager at Utah State University
  • Technical Program Manager at Plenty
  • Conservation Director at the Sheridan Community Land Trust
  • Communications and Development Director at Recycle Utah
  • Hydraulic Modeler at Caley Water Ltd
  • CHaRM Operator at Eco Cycle
  • Lead Environmental Educator at Portland Audubon
  • Electrochemical Engineer at Twelve Benefit Corporation
  • Project Engineer at EVS., Inc

 

mountain logo

Sustainability Minor Highlights

The sustainability minor combines important principles with exciting opportunities to get involved in the local community and nature. Here are a few things our students love about this minor.

Field Learning Experiences

Students at the Haub School get outside and put their practical skills to the test through field learning experiences. Learn about two of our most popular programs:

  • Winter Ecology at Grand Teton National Park, WY: Explore the dynamics of winter ecosystems by spending your days snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the Tetons. This program’s goal is to help students understand ecological processes in extreme conditions, learn winter naturalist skills and study snowpack science and safety. 
  • Alpine Climate & Culture in the Austrian & Italian Alps: In this program, students use an interdisciplinary approach to understand how we adapt our relationship to mountains due to pressures from climate change — including glacial retreat, permafrost warning, increased hazards and shifts in agriculture, forestry, and tourism. 

Student-Led Organizations

It’s no secret that UW is a great place to be if you care about the environment. Our beautiful surroundings and the Haub School make UW the perfect place to study sustainability and get involved in the community. Thanks to students like you, UW is home to many thriving, student-led organizations centered around sustainability. Here are some of the organizations you may be interested in joining as a student.

  • Campus Sustainability Committee: Students on this committee work together to advance sustainability at the University of Wyoming and the broader. They promote sustainability awareness, using our campus as a living laboratory, and provide strategies for sustainable operations.
  • Service, Leadership & Community Engagement (SLCE) Office: SLCE is a one-stop-shop for students, faculty and staff who want to get involved on campus and in the Laramie community. SLCE is a great place to start if you're interested in opportunities to get involved in sustainability at UW.
  • ACRES Student Farm: ACRES is a student-managed agricultural operation guided by the principles of economic, environmental and social sustainability. 
  • Sustainability Coalition: The Sustainability Coalition at the University of Wyoming fosters a sustainable culture in UW’s student body, faculty, staff and community. 
  • Environment & Natural Resource Club: This group connects people who want to explore and understand Laramie’s, Wyoming's and the world's environment and natural resources.

 

The sustainability minor at UW provided me with a supportive and encouraging environment, where I tackled real-world, hands-on projects. I was able to make a tangible impact in our community, making this eye-opening program truly rewarding.

- Emily Hakert
B.S. in Marketing, Sustainability Minor '20

Related Programs

Interested in a sustainability minor? These programs may also be of interest to you:

Apply to UW
Visit Campus
Request Info

Contact Us

We're Eager to Help!

Haub School of ENR

University of Wyoming

Bim Kendall House

804 E Fremont St

Laramie, WY 82072

Phone: (307) 766-5080

Email: haub.school@uwyo.edu