This is an interdisciplinary program that enables students to create their own course of study to address their intellectual, ethical and practical concerns.
Among the earliest of its kind to be developed, this degree can enable students to merge the field of liberal studies with critical issues related to sustainability and community life.
Since sustainability implies interconnectedness and a systems understanding of knowledge, sustainable communities (SUS) students study the intersections between human social structures and the natural world, paying attention to the philosophical, ethical, and practical dimensions of such study. This program is issue-based: Rather than learn a discipline, SUS students focus on a particular issue or nexus of issues.
If you're looking to expand your personal and professional perspectives on the complex issues of contemporary society, then consider the Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University. Among the first of its kind, this degree can help you merge the field of liberal studies with critical issues related to sustainability and community life.
You create your own course of study, focusing on your personal, intellectual, ethical, and practical concerns. Through this program, you will take an integrated approach to several areas of study, such as anthropology, business, economics, the performing arts, and many more. Building your expertise in sustainable community practices will prepare you for a wide range of employment opportunities.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Thesis | Thesis is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
The mission of the Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities is to provide interdisciplinary face-to-face graduate education on the complex issues of sustainability and social justice, encouraging students to pursue important social and environmental issues concurrently. The program seeks to educate students as critical thinkers for community leadership and to enable its graduates to contribute to the well-being of communities. At the same time, the program aims to push students intellectually, looking to produce thoughtful and critical graduates who can think theoretically. The curriculum is student-centered; students bring their intellectual, ethical, and practical concerns to bear on their particular academic inquiry. These skills are sharpened in collective collaborations between students and different communities through praxis.
Central Concepts Of The Program
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 36 units:
In preparing your thesis , you may end up taking more than the 6 units of thesis credit because you must enroll each term while you are working on your thesis.
Students are required to complete 18 units of formal letter-graded coursework.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and start a Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and start a Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Sociology and start a Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities at NAU.
Students accepted into one of the Accelerated Programs should complete the same requirements for the graduate degree as defined above.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.