Sustainability and Climate Change Policy, Graduate Certificate

This graduate certificate, a collaboration between the School of Public Policy (SPPUA) and the School of Law (NUSL), is designed to prepare students for the dynamic, evolving landscape of climate and sustainability policy. Interest in the area of climate and sustainability policy is expanding rapidly among graduate students in multiple programs throughout Northeastern and among professionals who may be considering graduate coursework at Northeastern. This certificate provides students from multiple backgrounds an option for gaining interdisciplinary skills and perspectives in climate and sustainability policy. Given the growing need in every organization, including private sector, public sector, and nonprofits, for professionals with knowledge and training in how to respond to the rapidly changing policy and regulatory frameworks in climate and sustainability, this certificate is open to JD, master's and PhD students throughout the university. This certificate is also available to professionals who have not yet been admitted to one of Northeastern’s graduate programs.

Academic Standing/Progress 

Students in the program are monitored for academic progress. Those students whose grade-point average (GPA) falls below a 3.000 are notified by and meet with the director of academic programs. They are counseled that if their GPA does not rise to a 3.000 or higher, they run the risk of not graduating and are advised on strategies for improvement. 

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• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
• Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

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Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated. 

Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Policy
Complete 8 semester hours from the following:		8
ENVR 5350	Sustainable Energy and Climate Solutions
LPSC 7312	Cities, Sustainability, and Climate Change
PPUA 5100	Climate and Development
PPUA 5264	Energy Democracy and Climate Justice: Technology, Policy, and Social Change
PPUA 5268	International Environmental Policy
PPUA 5270	Food Systems and Public Policy
PPUA 6101	Environmental Science and Policy Seminar 1
Law
Complete 3 semester hours from the following: 1		3
LAW 7329	Environmental Law
or LW 7329	Environmental Law
LAW 7634	Energy Law and Policy
or LW 7634	Energy Law and Policy
LAW 7666	Human Rights, the Environment, Development and Community Resilience
or LW 7666	Human Rights, the Environment, Development and Community Resilience
Practicum
PPUA 6966	Practicum	1

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Students enrolled in NU colleges other than the School of Law should contact a School of Law advisor at lawstudentaffairs@northeastern.edu for guidance on registering for courses from the School of Law.

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

12 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required