Environmental Degrees, Certification and Research

Several Minnesota colleges and universities have environmental studies’ majors available and the University of Minnesota has programs and research centers focused on new energy sources and global warming issues.

A growing number of colleges and professional organizations offer certificates as their professions change to reflect the changing reality of global warming and a greening economy.

Whether you’re looking to start a career, change to a new one or green your business several programs exist – or are being developed – that may fit your needs.

Environmental and Cross Disciplinary Degrees

• The University of Minnesota’s Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering integrates science, engineering, technology and management to promote sustainable use of renewable resources. Students can chose from six degrees that focus on topics such as renewable energy, environment and ecology, advanced building systems, energy efficiency and food production.
   
• The university’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences has several divisions, departments and degrees focused on the environment, ranging from the Division of Environmental Science, Policy and Management to the Division of Plant Science.
   
• Bemidji State University offers an environmental studies major and many eco-related majors and courses through the Center For Environmental, Earth and Space Studies, Economics and Sociology.
   
• Many of Minnesota’s private colleges – Macalester, the University of St. Thomas, Bethel College, Hamline University, The College of St. Benedict St. John’s University, Carleton College and St. Olaf College – have environmental science and/or environmental studies programs.
   
• Vermillion Community College has several programs in outdoor recreation, sustainable tourism and protection, preservation and recreation.
   
• The University of Minnesota at Morris has an environmental studies degree which complements its commercial-scale wind turbine (two more are being added), a biomass heating/cooling plant that is reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions from heating, cooling and electricity by 80 percent.
   
• The University of Minnesota Duluth has a environmental education master’s degree.
   
• The University of Minnesota Crookston has a biofuels and renewable energy emphasis within its agriculture program.
   
• Winona State University offers an environmental science option in four degree programs: Biology, Chemistry, Geo Science and Global Studies.

Continuing Education Credits

• The Minneapolis College of Art & Design offers a groundbreaking Sustainable Design Certificate online course directed at graphic, packaging and product designers, brand managers, product planners and product buyers and executives.
   
• The Changing Beliefs and Behaviors Through Energy Education (CREED) offers teacher training on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and energy conservation. Continuing credits are available through Hamline University’s Center For Global Education.

Research Programs

• The UMN’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment is a cross-disciplinary effort that works to create solutions and science leaders that will help attack global warming and other environmental problems.
   
• The UMN-Duluth has several centers focused on the environment.