Climate Change Policy and Management Certificate

Program Overview

Western Michigan University's graduate certificate in climate change policy and management equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to address climate-related challenges in various sectors. The program offers a foundation in climate science, policy, and management, with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, adaptation, and displacement. Students can choose from a range of approved courses to tailor their studies to their interests.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Overview:

The graduate certificate program in climate change policy and management at Western Michigan University aims to provide professional training for addressing challenges related to the climate crisis from different perspectives, be it policy or management within government, private, or nonprofit sectors. The program's goal is to address national and international challenges posed by climate change, including the transition to renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, adapting to events like droughts, heat waves, and rising sea levels, and supporting individuals displaced due to these factors. Emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive societal changes as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the program serves both early professionals and mid-career students, providing a strong foundation in climate change science and its implications, along with training in policy and management domains with increasing demand. The program can be pursued as a standalone certificate or concurrently with another WMU graduate program, allowing classes to be credited towards both programs.

Course Outline:

The program requires the completion of six classes (18 credit hours), consisting of three required courses and three selected from a list of approved courses based on individual interests. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to complete the certificate program.

Required Courses (9 credit hours):

• GEOG 6250 - Climatology (3 credit hours)
• PSCI 5700 - Managing Challenges from Climate Change (3 credit hours)
• PSCI 5710 - Environmentally Sustainable Development (3 credit hours)

Approved Courses (select three, for 9 credit hours):

• BIOS 5440 - Global Change Ecology (3 credit hours)
• FCS 5820 - Food, Nutrition, and Climate Change (3 credit hours)
• GEOG 5570 - Environmental Impact Assessment (3 credit hours)
• GEOG 6260 - Disaster Management (3 credit hours)
• GEOG 6280 - Data Analysis in Climate Science (3 credit hours)
• GEOG 6300 - Climate Change and Geography (3 credit hours)
• PSCI 6311 - Monitoring and Evaluation of International Development Projects (3 credit hours)