Launch Your Career in Sustainability. Develop skills and tools to make organizations more sustainable.

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Christopher Boone

Offered By

Sustainability Analyst Fundamentals SpecializationArizona State University

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

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The ASU Sustainability specialization introduces the role of a sustainability analyst, assesses sustainability challenges that face the planet and employers, and equips learners with the foundational skills needed to address these challenges. By developing competency in goal-setting, reporting and data analysis, learners who complete the specialization will be able to make an impact on their organization as a sustainability analyst. This specialization is designed to build on the foundational skills developed in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate; earn a dual credential when you complete a Google Career Certificate and this specialization.

Applied Learning Project

Learners will practice skills through interactive activities, hands-on application opportunities and the chance to build their own templates to use on the job as a sustainability analyst. Experts from the ASU School of Sustainability provide pre-recorded instructional content and step-by-step assignment walkthrough videos, and learners are encouraged to interact and learn from one another.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Careers in Sustainability

4.1

stars

14 ratings

This course is an introduction to careers in sustainability, focusing primarily on the role of a sustainability analyst at public and private organizations. Through a mix of video, print, peer review, and interactive content, learners will be able to explain sustainability and the specifics of a sustainability analyst’s job within an organization.

The course is structured around two elements: topical knowledge and practical application. Throughout the course, learners can practice what they learn and get feedback from their peers to build their skills. Additionally, knowledge checks provide milestones for learners to ensure that they understand the necessary information about each topic presented. Each module begins with a video that introduces the concepts taught in the lesson, including interviews with ASU School of Sustainability professors. Interactive activities and hands-on application are central to the learner experience in this course. They include participating in mini-application experiences, trying out real-life skills with expert feedback, and creating personalized tools like presentation slide decks and spreadsheet templates to use in the role on day one of a new job. The interactive and hands-on activities are specifically designed to teach not only sustainability skills but also professional skills like professional writing, presentation skills, and conducting successful video meetings. This combination of practical skills and specialized content makes this course a unique foundation for the rest of the specialization.

Course2

Course 2

Sustainability Challenges for the Planet and Employers

This course builds on the foundational knowledge gained in the first course in the series. Learners will continue to shape their understanding of global problems like climate change while developing their skills in using sustainability indicators, managing waste streams, addressing challenges, and providing green building recommendations. Mixed modalities continue to be used to provide text, video, interactive activities, and peer reviews so all learners can add to their knowledge around sustainability issues. Content overviews and instructional lecture videos produced with ASU School of Sustainability professors are the cornerstones of the content presented in this course.

Topical and practical knowledge is the central combination of elements driving this course. Through interactive learning objects and peer-reviewed submissions, learners have the opportunity to practice their skills and receive feedback from experts and their fellow learners. Learners also participate in regular knowledge checks throughout the course, with mid-course and final assessments to evaluate their overall learning. This course uses interactive activities, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to build tools like checklists and memo templates to help learners gain confidence in their skills and support their entry into the workforce. Building on the skills they have learned in the first course, this learning experience provides learners with more specialized knowledge while still tying it to real-world scenarios and skills that they will need when they get into the field as sustainability analysts.

Course3

Course 3

Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies

The third course in this specialization takes the skills and knowledge learners have gained in the previous two courses and develops them into concrete skills that will serve the learner when they enter the field as a sustainability analyst. These skills include developing sustainability goals and initiatives, reporting and planning, maintaining document accuracy, and identifying partners for sustainability initiatives. This course focuses on the real-world application of all the skills the learners have gained in the previous two courses, using video, text, interactive, and peer-reviewed content and activities to support continued growth and learning.

In this course, the topical knowledge presented is directly related to the practical skills learners will demonstrate since the content presented is about tasks crucial to a successful sustainability analyst. Interactive learning objects and peer-reviewed submissions provide opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration with fellow learners. Knowledge checks ensure that learners clearly understand the skills and competencies needed in the field of sustainability. At the same time, the hands-on activities provide them with opportunities to practice those skills and competencies. Because this course is intended to be the final learning experience in the sequence, it supports learners as they prepare to enter the job market and seek sustainability roles. By presenting opportunities to practice developing reports, setting goals, and evaluating potential external partners, learners will be able to speak to those tasks in job interviews and complete the tasks successfully when they are hired into a role. The focus on practical application in this course supports learners’ confidence and development toward the position they seek.

Instructor

Christopher Boone

Professor

School of Sustainability

1,541 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

Industry Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Each course will take between 12-15 hours to complete, for a total of 36-45 hours to complete the Specialization.
What background knowledge is necessary?
This specialization builds on the skills developed in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate such as project planning, risk management, task estimation, and procurement. If you’re new to this field, we recommend building foundational skills in project management with a Google Career Certificate.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
No, but it is recommended that you proceed through the courses in order. The first course provides foundational knowledge and skills, which are built upon in the second and third courses.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will be able to apply for sustainability analyst positions and go into interviews with a solid background in sustainability topics and skills. You will also be able to complete many of the tasks assigned to sustainability analysts when you start the job by using the tools you develop through this course.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Sustainability Analyst Fundamentals Specialization

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project