Pathways to Sustainability Minor

Set in a student-centered learning community, the Pathways to Sustainability minor begins with an introductory two-course series focused on systems thinking across natural, social, and economic contexts. This is followed by elective courses in the domains of humanities, environmental science, and art and design, in addition to an integrative capstone course.

Why do it?

Students need an expansive, multi-college conceptualization of sustainability and complementary set of tools and strategies to empower them to lead in a diverse, interconnected and dynamic world. This minor integrates perspectives and tools from natural and social sciences with those from art, design, and humanities. 

Through these diverse fields, students gain strategies to think about connections, change, context, objectivity, and subjectivity, as well as practice integrating them - skills that will support personal growth and career development. Plus, it's just a cool minor.

Requirements

The 18-credit hour minor in Pathways to Sustainability includes 9 hours of required courses and 9 hours of elective Pathways courses selected from a list.

Who is it for?

The primary audience for this minor includes STEM and professional majors. However, majors outside STEM fields will also benefit from the broad interdisciplinarity of this minor.

Video Gallery

Watch short videos profiling the minor's introductory, core courses and check out the website for the capstone course, Practicing Sustainability.

This minor is hosted by the Department of Geography in collaboration with numerous departments across Virginia Tech.