Popular sustainability master’s program coming to Dallas
The University of Texas at Arlington is expanding its popular master's degree program in sustainability issues into downtown Dallas with the start of the new year.
Beginning Jan. 4, UT Arlington will offer an Interdisciplinary Studies Master of Science in Sustainability program through The Universities Center at Dallas, 1901 Main St. The 36-hour program is designed to be completed within a year. Courses address sustainability across a variety of academic and professional disciplines.
Some courses will focus on core sustainability concepts such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the Energy Star program and high-density development. Others will examine the cost and regulatory issues involved with "going green." In addition, students will study the psychological and socio-economic dynamics of this cultural paradigm shift to more conscientious consumption.
The interdisciplinary studies approach is a good fit for sustainability issues, said Professor Stuart Henry, director of UT Arlington’s Interdisciplinary Studies program.
"Complex problems require comprehensive solutions and an integrative synthesis of the best approaches to what works," Henry said. "Interdisciplinary degrees provide the flexibility and adaptability to deal with emerging problems as well as those that are seemingly intractable."
The sustainability degree appeals to professionals in a variety of fields, including attorneys, architects, government employees and educators, said Mike West, the program's chair and executive director of UT Arlington's Fort Worth Center. The degree is a valuable tool for those seeking entry into growth positions, such as corporate sustainability officers, social responsibility officers and consultants, he said.
Jyl DeHaven, an instructor in the new degree program, has worked on sustainable development projects for 15 years and said businesses are seeing the economic benefit of sustainable practices and smart employees are looking to gain the most up-to-date information about the field.
"It’s for anyone. I'm not sure I could think of a profession that couldn't benefit," DeHaven said. "This is getting yourself as much information as possible and putting yourself on the front of the process rather than the end."
An information forum will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at The Universities Center at Dallas. To register, contact Jana Prew at 817-272-5956 or jprew@uta.edu. Call 877-587-SUST (7878) or e-mail SUST@uta.edu for more information.
For more information about sustainability programs at UT Arlington, visit www.uta.edu/sustainablity/.
Media contact: Traci Peterson, tpeterso@uta.edu, 817-272-9208
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