Dec 26, 2024  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2024-25

Environmental Change Management and Leadership Certificate


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study by Academic Unit

Environmental Change Management and Leadership Certificate - CTEMLC

Environmental Studies Program
Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
Building 21, The Ridges
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.9381
gvsinfo@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Enrollment Eligibility: Degree-seeking or non-degree status

Program Overview

The Environmental Change Management and Leadership Certificate trains public officials, community leaders, and environmental professionals on the intersection between science and policy with specific focus on leadership and assessment. In the face of unprecedented change, communities will need new strategies to be resilient to the impacts of climate change including flooding, drought, unseasonable temperatures affecting resources and food systems, wildfires, and others requiring appropriate policy solutions and strong environmental leadership. The coursework builds skills in the interaction between science and policy, policy drivers for change, strategies for environmental leadership, and characterization and assessment of sustainability of decisions, actions, or policies.

This is a part time program. Students taking the normal load of two courses per term, 7 weeks each, complete the program in 6 months.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Describe environmental science concepts,
  • Describe critical environmental policy,
  • Assess the environmental sustainability of an activity, and  
  • Describe the role of environmental leaders in change.

Opportunities upon Completion

Employment categories of graduates from resilience programs, including planning, emergency management, and environmental specialist are all projected to be growth areas with 5-10% growth estimated. Additionally, Climate Change Business Journal has estimated “the United States climate adaptation & resilience services market at $650 million in 2018. Growth has been in the double digits and the forecast is for that rate to continue in the short term at 12-15% per year to at least 2022.” Professionals already working in communities recognize the need for additional training and education in climate change adaptation and resilience, and employers have identified the need for better communication and community engagement skills, improved understanding of climate change, and crisis and risk management as key areas for improved education and training.

Certificate Relationship to Parent Degree Program

The parent program of this graduate specialized stackable certificate is the Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience  (MSSR).

A student who wants to enroll in this certificate does not need to enroll in or complete the MSSR degree. However, completing this certificate does fulfill three required courses in the ten-course degree. Students admitted to this certificate may also seek admission to the MSSR degree, and/or the MSSR program’s other certificates. Two or three certificates also “stack” toward the degree. Previously submitted application materials will be reused as much as possible, as determined by the MSSR Program Director.

Complementary Certificates

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/sustainability-security-resilience/certificates

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission will be evaluated based on the applicant’s experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The personal statement should address the applicant’s career goals and motivation to join the program. A prospective student’s professional experience will be evaluated with an admission preference for multiple years (2 or greater) in a related field. One letter of recommendation is required, however up to three may be submitted; it is preferred that the letters of recommendation are written by the prospective student’s current or past supervisor. Admission of a student with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 will be considered with a demonstrated track record in a related field.

A student may transfer up to 8 semester hours of courses into the Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience, with a maximum of one course (up to 4 hours) in any single associated complementary certificate. Requests for transfer must meet university eligibility rules and must be reviewed and recommended by the student’s advisor, approved by the program director, and the Dean of the Voinovich School. Courses recommended for transfer credit must significantly meet the outcomes of the course for which it is being substituted.

International Students

An I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Completion Requirements

Complete a minimum of 9 credit hours with a cumulative Ohio University graduate GPA of at least 3.0 and no certificate course grade below C+, as follows:

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study by Academic Unit