Applied Sustainability students outside at a garden with boxes working on a project

Applied Sustainability Major

The way we think about the environment can't be separated from the way we think about people, and vice versa. Learn the skills to cultivate a career in a growing field.

Major (BS)
School of Social Innovation 
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Build Career-Ready Skills for Today’s Fastest-Growing Green Economy Jobs

Companies across every industry are investing in sustainability initiatives, creating growing demand for professionals who can combine environmental expertise with business skills.

At Champlain, you’ll start learning practical sustainability skills from day one, gaining the exact qualifications employers need¡ªwhile building a professional portfolio that helps you launch your career in this high-growth field.

  • Applied Sustainability combines environmental expertise with business skills to help organizations reduce their environmental impact while improving their bottom line. With the green economy growing rapidly, professionals who can implement practical sustainability solutions are in high demand across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.

  • At Champlain, you start gaining marketable sustainability skills immediately with our Upside-Down curriculum. While students at other colleges are still taking general education courses, you’ll already be:

    • Working on real sustainability projects with actual organizations
    • Building professional skills that employers value right now
    • Connecting with industry professionals who can help your career
    • Creating solutions to environmental challenges that showcase your abilities

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that sustainability careers are “vast” and growing rapidly. Our program prepares you for this expanding job market by focusing on the specific skills businesses need to meet their sustainability goals and requirements.

  • By the time you graduate, you will¡­

    • Apply practical environmental solutions ¨C Implement sustainability strategies that work in real-world settings
    • Use data to drive decisions ¨C Analyze environmental metrics that organizations need for compliance and planning
    • Develop business-ready solutions ¨C Create sustainability initiatives that balance environmental impact with economic realities
    • Master effective communication ¨C Present sustainability plans that gain stakeholder support
    • Lead cross-functional teams ¨C Coordinate diverse experts to achieve sustainability goals
student wrapping saplings

Different By Design

Real-World Applications

Learn by doing in 365体育官网¡ªone of America’s greenest cities¡ªwhere you’ll get hands-on experience with cutting-edge sustainability practices used by leading organizations.

Career-Focused Specializations

Customize your degree with high-demand concentrations like Data Science for Sustainability, Environmental Policy or Reinventing Business Through Sustainability¡ªgiving you specialized skills employers are actively recruiting for.

Industry Connections

Work directly with sustainability professionals through internships, projects, and networking events that often lead directly to job offers before graduation.

TOP RANKED

Year after year, The Princeton Review has included Champlain College on its ¡°Guide to Green Colleges.¡±

The Most

Champlain was named a “Most Innovative School” by U.S. News & World Report in its “America’s Best Colleges” 2024 ranking of universities in the North.

Career Possibilities

What jobs can I get with an Applied Sustainability degree?

A Champlain Applied Sustainability degree will prepare you for in-demand roles such as:

  • Corporate Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Green Product Developer
  • Energy Efficiency Consultant
  • Sustainability Communications Specialist
  • ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Analyst
  • Urban Planning Technician

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