Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation and Risk Management (CARMA)

Program Overview

The online Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation and Risk Management (CARMA) from Colorado State University equips students with scientific knowledge and practical skills to identify, evaluate, and implement climate-adaptive solutions across diverse ecosystems and land uses. It covers climate change impacts, risk assessment, adaptive planning, and communication strategies. The program is suitable for professionals from various fields seeking to address the challenges posed by climate change.

Program Outline

Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation and Risk Management (CARMA) - Colorado State University

Degree Overview:

The online Graduate Certificate in Climate Adaptation and Risk Management (CARMA) is designed for post-baccalaureate students and professionals from various disciplines. It provides advanced knowledge of adaptive climate change solutions within the context of risk management and social considerations.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with:

• Scientifically-based knowledge, tools, methods, theories, and tactics to identify, compare, evaluate, and apply climate-adaptive strategies.
• The ability to apply these strategies across diverse ownerships, rights holders, sectors, and land-uses at local, state, regional, and global levels.

Outline:

Content:

The program focuses on:

• Assessing, quantifying, and understanding the impacts of climate change on social and ecological systems.
• Identifying, comparing, and evaluating climate models, risk management frameworks, and adaptive planning approaches.
• Developing climate adaptation plans that incorporate scientific, social, economic, and policy considerations.
• Analyzing social justice implications, historical/legacy considerations, policy approaches, and communication strategies related to climate adaptation, mitigation, and risk assessments.

Structure:

The program consists of 10-13 credit hours, including:

• Required Courses:
• ESS 516/NR 516 Climate Justice and Policy (2 credits)
• ESS 543/ATS 543 Global Climate Change (2 credits)
• NR 517/NRRT 517 Climate Change Communication and Engagement (2 credits)
• NR 518 Climate Impacts and Risk Assessments (3 credits)
• Elective Course:
• Choose one course from the following:
• F 574 Climate Adaptive Forest Management
• FW 579 Wildlife Conservation Policy--Current Events
• NR 501 Leadership and Public Communications
• NR 535 Action for Sustainable Behavior
• NR 678 Advanced Ecological Restoration Program

Other:

• 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.