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.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Policy | ||
| Complete 8 semester hours from the following: | 8 | |
| Sustainable Energy and Climate Solutions | ||
| Cities, Sustainability, and Climate Change | ||
| Climate and Development | ||
| Energy Democracy and Climate Resilience: Technology, Policy, and Social Change | ||
| International Environmental Policy | ||
| Food Systems and Public Policy | ||
| Environmental Science and Policy Seminar 1 | ||
| Law | ||
| Complete 3 semester hours from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Environmental Law | ||
or LW 7329 | Environmental Law | |
| Energy Law and Policy | ||
or LW 7634 | Energy Law and Policy | |
| Human Rights, the Environment, Development and Community Resilience | ||
or LW 7666 | Human Rights, the Environment, Development and Community Resilience | |
| Practicum | ||
| PPUA 6966 | Practicum | 1 |
- 1
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