Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate
Program Overview
Earth’s climate is changing with far-reaching consequences. The challenges presented by climate change are large and broad, with disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. For students to become leaders to tackle environmental justice issues and pioneer solutions, a breadth of expertise is needed. In the Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate Program, students will address the physical basis of changing climate, its impacts on humanity and justice, and be introduced to solutions. We welcome and encourage applications from students from wide-ranging academic programs across the University of Michigan.
This certificate program will:
- Train interdisciplinary students about the basics of climate change science and equip them to explore solutions needed to mitigate climate change and to adapt to future changes.
- Develop skills in graduates to think in a systems way about the causes and consequences of climate change and enable innovative approaches that focus on climate adaptation and resilience.
The program consists of 12 credit hours (three ‘core’ mandatory courses and the remainder of credits from approved list of electives). The core courses establish a knowledge of climate science and the effects of warming on society, strategies for slowing and reversing the amount of warming that will be realized, and methods for responding to growing consequences of climate change. These three courses cross the formal framework of climate change, mitigation, and adaptation.
How to apply
The Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate Program was developed in partnership between CLaSP and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), and is designed for students already enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Michigan. Master’s or doctoral students from any field, CoE, SEAS, LSA and the professional schools, are welcome to apply.
Any student with a bachelor’s degree who has been admitted to one of the University’s science (natural or social), engineering, or professional graduate degree programs or who is currently enrolled in one of these graduate programs is eligible to submit an application to the Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate Program.
Currently enrolled students must be carrying a B average or better. Students must have at least one semester of grades at U-M before being admitted to a Rackham graduate certificate programs; for students who apply in their first semester, we will hold their applications and evaluate them once their first semester grades have been posted.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Those who wish to apply to the program will submit the following materials:
For students who are enrolled in a Rackham administered program (i.e. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environment and Sustainability, Chemistry, Urban Planning, etc.):
- Complete the Dual Admission application through Rackham. Please choose “Climate Change Solutions Certificate” as your program of application. The program code is 02388.
- As part of the application, include a one-page statement that explains how the Climate Change Solutions program will contribute to the student’s education and future career and includes a proposed course plan (“Academic Statement of Purpose”), and a current CV uploaded as a part of the Rackham application.
For students not currently enrolled in a Rackham graduate program:
- Complete the Rackham application online. Please choose “Climate Change Solutions Certificate” as your program of application. Note that courses taken to complete certificate requirements should be registered for under Rackham (dual-enrollment is allowed).
- One-page statement that explains how the Climate Change Solutions program will contribute to the student’s education and future career and includes a proposed course plan (“Academic Statement of Purpose”), a personal statement, and a current CV uploaded as a part of the Rackham application.
Coursework
The Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate requires 12 credit hours of coursework, including three core courses and one elective of the student’s choice. These course can be taken in any order.
Required Core Courses
- CLIMATE 480: Climate Change: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Problem Solving. This core course focuses on physical climate science and how to address its impacts. Skills taught include systems thinking, model-based reasoning, communications, and multi- constituency problem solving.
- CEE 565: Seminars on Energy Systems Technology and Policy. This core course focuses on sustainable energy solutions, with a goal of understanding how we can change our current world energy portfolio to a carbon neutral world, with a focus on systems thinking across supply and demand, and focusing on technology, innovation, and deployment.
- EAS 677.041: Resilience Solutions. This core course will focus on integrated engineering/policy approaches to protecting people, infrastructure, and ecosystems to ensure sustainable water, food, energy, livelihoods and health. Resilience has been under-studied for almost 20 years, and the new Global Commission on Adaptation report indicates that urgent science and action must take place in this space.
Electives
Students can choose one elective from among a variety of courses offered across the university. Currently approved courses are listed here.
Double-Count Credits
In some cases, students may want to “double-count” courses that they are already taking as part of their graduate coursework requirements. As per Rackham Graduate School, 6 of the 12 credits required for the certificate can be double-counted with other requirements.
Please note: the rules for double counting are slightly different for students enrolled in dual Master’s programs.
If you have any questions about the Climate Change Solutions Graduate Certificate Certificate Program, including application and completion requirements, please email our Student Services Office.