Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience
Sustainability, Security, and Resilience - MS4414
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
Program Overview
In a time of great environmental change, social and community systems must become more resilient to remain both secure and sustainable. This program focuses on training professionals to plan for more sustainable, secure, resilient communities and organizations in the face of rapid environmental change. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn and apply key theoretical concepts and practical tools across the spectrum of sustainability, security, and resilience. This combination includes examination of specific systems (environment, energy, climate change, agriculture); methodological training in sustainability assessment, resilience practice, science literacy, risk management, and environmental approaches to leadership and innovation. The program consists of three embedded certificates and a capstone. The certificates are Community Risk and Resilience, Environmental Change Management and Leadership, and Planning Resilient Systems. Students will complete a capstone in Resilient Infrastructure and Communities in which they will develop a community resilience plan for their organization or their community, where possible with input from local stakeholders and organizations.
This is a part time program. Students taking the normal load of two courses per term, 7 weeks each, complete the program in 1 year and 8 months.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Describe the concept of resilience,
- Evaluate the impact of a change on sustainability and human security,
- Describe the value of community engagement,
- Evaluate a community’s vulnerability to change,
- Demonstrate written communication skills, and
- Formulate a resilience plan for a community or organization.
Opportunities upon Graduation
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.” The MSSR degree meets both the foundational knowledge and core competencies developed by the American Society of Adaptation Professionals including risk and vulnerability management, climate related hazards and impacts, adaptation and resilience to climate change, systems thinking, change management, justice and equity, and communication.
Related Certificates
Students admitted to this program may seek completion of complementary certificates. Three certificates “stack” with a capstone course toward the degree:
Further Information
Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/sustainability-security-resilience
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.
Graduation Requirements
Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a cumulative Ohio University graduate GPA of at least 3.0 and no course grade below C+, as follows:
