The Carbon Management Certificate in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS) equips practicing environmental and sustainability professionals with the foundational knowledge and technical skills needed to advance their careers in this high-demand, rapidly evolving field.
The certificate can be completed through traditional on-campus coursework or through CSU Online.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to the analysis and management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Explain the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and strategies for managing them.
- Critically discuss current GHG policy frameworks and emerging climate change issues.
- Evaluate the connections between socioeconomic and ecological processes that drive increases in atmospheric GHG concentrations.
- Conduct GHG mitigation analyses in accordance with current ISO standards.
- Design, implement, and evaluate GHG information management systems and assurance processes suited to specific applications and applicable standards.
- Perform GHG assessments using systems-based and integrative approaches, including life cycle analysis and other quantitative tools.
Effective Fall 2026
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ESS 524 | Foundations for Carbon/Greenhouse Gas Mgmt | 3 |
| ESS 542 | Greenhouse Gas Policies | 2 |
| ESS 543/ATS 543 | Global Climate Change | 2 |
| Select courses from the following list totalling at least 3 credits: | 3 | |
| Animal Nutrition, Emissions, and Management | ||
| Sustainability Reporting & Analysis | ||
| Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emission Accounting | ||
| Voluntary Carbon Markets - Quality & Risk | ||
| Introduction to Carbon Markets | ||
| Environ Data Sci-Greenhouse Gas Inventories | ||
| Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainability | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 10 | |
*This certificate may have courses in common with other graduate certificates. A student may earn more than one certificate, but a given course may be counted only in one certificate.