Professional certificates in sustainability
By: Thomas Broderick, Edited by: Mitch Jacobson
Published: May 7, 2025
Do you want to learn in-demand skills without committing to a degree or pausing your career? If so, consider a sustainability certificate. Sustainability seeks to meet people's needs while promoting individual, community, and ecological health.
On edX you can find online sustainability certificates offered by top universities aligned with different fields and careers. Learn more about how these programs can improve your résumé and salary potential.
Why earn a sustainability certificate online?
Earn graduate credit
Many sustainability certificates award college credit that you can apply toward a graduate degree.
Finish quickly
You can finish a certificate in fewer than 12 months, much faster than a traditional master's program.
Balance school and work
Top programs require fewer than 10 hours of coursework weekly, letting you continue to work full-time.
What will you learn in a sustainability certificate program?
Like degree-granting programs, sustainability certificates feature a core curriculum. Your program may require the following classes:
- Leading sustainability transitions
- Pathways to sustainability
- Mastering the global sustainability context
Some programs let learners customize their educational experience with electives. Your program may take up to six months and require you to complete 20 credits.
Sustainability certificates emphasize in-demand skills as well as academic knowledge. These programs can prepare you to:
- Analyze how human behavior impacts the environment
- Identify how employees can improve sustainability
- Recognize public policy's role in promoting sustainability
Curriculum and learning outcomes vary by university, so be sure to research each program to find the best fit.
What can you do with a certificate in sustainability?
Sustainability certificates are applicable to many careers.
Some jobs may require additional professional certifications, many years of relevant work experience, or a master's degree. A master's in supply chain management, for example, can help you refine and develop the skills you may learn in a certificate program.
Here are a few sustainability roles to consider.
Conservation scientist and forester
Conversation scientists and foresters ensure that forestry operations comply with government rules and regulations. They may collaborate with landowners, government officials, and other stakeholders.
- Required skills: Analysis, communication, and management
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023): $68,300
Hydrologists
Hydrologists analyze the movement and distribution of water in ecosystems. Their work helps engineers and managers determine a project's environmental impact.
- Required skills: Analysis, communication, and critical-thinking
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $88,770
Environmental scientist and specialist
Environmental scientists and specialists design experiments that measure ecological health. Responsibilities may include taking and analyzing samples, following federal regulations, and presenting results to stakeholders.
- Required skills: Analysis, communication, and problem-solving
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $78,980
Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers prepare environmental reports, analyze data, and inspect facilities. They may specialize in waste management, site remediation, or another field. Most environmental engineers work for an engineering services firm, management services firm, or state government agency.
- Required skills: Communication, creativity, and critical thinking
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $100,090