Sustainability Engineering
Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Engineering provides those with computational literacy—but not an engineering background—with knowledge and skills to collaborate effectively with engineers.
Program overview
Help guide sustainability solutions
The challenges in building a sustainable relationship between civilization and the earth system are inherently complex and multidisciplinary and demand action from nearly every economic sector in the coming decades.
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Engineering provides those who have computational literacy but do not have an engineering background with the knowledge and skills to collaborate effectively with engineers.
This certificate provides non-engineering students with the foundational knowledge and technical expertise required to conceive of and participate in multidisciplinary solution development for sustainability.
The challenges in building a sustainable relationship between civilization and the earth system are inherently complex and multidisciplinary and demand action from nearly every economic sector in the coming decades.
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Engineering provides those who have computational literacy but do not have an engineering background with the knowledge and skills to collaborate effectively with engineers.
This certificate provides non-engineering students with the foundational knowledge and technical expertise required to conceive of and participate in multidisciplinary solution development for sustainability.
- Graduate certificates in the College of Engineering can be taken alongside a master’s degree in the College of Engineering or pursued separately. Students not pursuing a master’s degree who have completed the graduate certificate can apply the certificate credits toward an eligible master’s degree in the College of Engineering.
- This certificate program is open to students with nonengineering undergraduate degrees.
Society is increasingly facing highly complex interdisciplinary challenges, resulting in evolving industry needs. Skills that bridge multiple disciplines and a perspective that enables design, implementation, and communication of solutions to complex interdisciplinary challenges is in demand by employers as varied as local and regional governments, environmentally related nongovernmental organizations, and consulting firms, among others.
Admissions
Apply to the program
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
Applications received after the stated deadline dates will be accepted and processed as quickly as possible; however it may not be possible to have a decision rendered in time for the applicant to begin taking classes for the desired term if admitted.
Applications submitted by the referenced dates will receive full consideration for the referenced term. Applications received after the referenced dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Fall Semester Entry
| Early Action | December 1 |
| Final Deadline International Students outside the US | June 1 |
| Final Deadline: International Students Inside the US | July 1 |
| Domestic applicants | August 1 |
Spring Semester Entry
| International Students Outside the US | October 1 |
| International Students Inside the US | December 1 |
| Domestic Applicants | December 1 |
Minimum 3.0 GPA and the completion of an undergraduate degree and coursework covering the fundamentals of basic mathematics, including statistics
Complete online application form
Two letters of recommendation
Transcripts from all institutions attended
GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic years
Statement of purpose
Resumé
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants
The application fee is waived for all new applicants applying to any of our Master of Science or Graduate Certificates for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 application terms.
Program objectives
Prepare for success
Nonengineering students will gain a foundational knowledge of sustainability engineering, including sustainability challenges from an engineering perspective.
Understand how environmental chemistry is a key aspect of sustainability challenges and solutions, engineering tools for understanding and addressing sustainability challenges, and data methods.
Gain foundational familiarity with sustainability methods and learn the vocabulary needed to collaborate effectively with engineers.
Degree building
Stack your certificate
Earning a graduate certificate is a fast and affordable way to acquire specialized skills while building toward your master’s degree. Upon completion of this certificate program, you may be able to apply your credits to an eligible master’s program, saving time and money on your degree.
Some of the eligible master’s programs for this certificate include:
Contact an enrollment counselor to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Occupations
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Cost of attendance
Tuition and financial aid
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$30,864Tuition in USD
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.
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