MSUS
Curriculum Overview
Classes and Curriculum (30 credits)
Required Core (9 credits)
SOS 508: Pathways to Sustainability
SOS 511: Advanced Sustainability Problem Solving
SOS 582: Project Management
Capstone (3 credits)
SOS 593: Capstone
Methods and Competency (6 credits of each/12 total)
These courses are selected based on your interests. Check out the Tools and Tips section for the MSUS Course list to determine which courses meet these requirements.
Elective Credits (6 credits)
500-level graduate courses related to your interests in sustainability. They may be from other departments or subject areas.
Courses to Take in First Semester
MSUS
SOS 508 Pathways to Sustainability (register for the section offered on M/W at 3:00 - 4:15pm, it is reserved for MSUS students)
SOS 511 Advanced Sustainability Problem Solving
One methods or competency mastery course
*MSUS Accelerated Master's (4+1) students take only SOS 508 and 511 in their first semester
Concurrent Programs
If you are in a concurrent program, please meet with academic advisors/coordinators from BOTH of your programs. Below is an Excel document which serves as a sample plan for concurrent programs. However, YOU SHOULD CONFIRM with both your program advisors prior to registration each semester.
Courses to Take in Second Semester
SOS 582 Project Management
Methods course
Competency course
*reference the MSUS Course List to determine which classes count toward each requirement
MSUS Course List
Please reference the MSUS Course List to determine which courses meet your requirements. Important tips for using this tool are listed below.
It is helpful to
use the class search to determine which classes are offered first
then reference the MSUS Course List to determine which classes count toward each requirement.
The rows will have color-coded notes to show which requirements each course meets.
Courses may have meet more than one requirement, but you can only use a course to satisfy a single requirement (i.e., SOS 517 can count for either methods OR competency on your iPOS/check sheet, but not both).
Your 2 electives can be any grad course, including a SOS course that meets other requirements. Electives can be any course related to sustainability, in SOS or other subject areas (COM or PAF, for example).
Unofficial Tracks List
The MSUS Unofficial tracks: Guidance for MSUS Electives is another helpful tool to determine if the program may be a good fit.
Tools and Tips
Check Sheet
Please be sure to download the appropriate check sheet for the year you were admitted. MSUS Check Sheet (for those admitted in fall 2023 and later) . Important tips for using this tool are listed below.
Download a copy for yourself to track your progress. The Google sheet will open a new page.
Culminating Experience: Applied Project
SOS 593 Applied Project must be taken in your last semester (offered in spring semester only). In order to graduate, students must successfully complete SOS 593 with a "B" grade or higher. If a student earns a grade lower than a B in SOS 593, they will need to retake the class the following spring semester.
The MSUS Culminating Experience is completed collaboratively with a team in the class SOS 593: Applied Project. Students complete assignments, including the proposal and deliverables, as a part of the classes.
Carried out collaboratively in lieu of a thesis, the capstone provides practical experience positioning graduates for today's competitive, knowledge- and skill-intensive job market. Here are the links to the project briefs for 2022-2023 , project briefs for 2021-2022, and project inventory for spring 2024. which will give you a sense of the scope and type of projects.
Check out the YouTube Link to the Final Presentations in 2023 and the 2024 Presentations!
