Why study this program?

See the system. Shape the strategy. Lead real-world sustainability impact.

The Master of Sustainability prepares you to turn complex challenges into actionable solutions. In this interdisciplinary, course-based master’s program, you will develop in-demand skills in systems thinking, sustainability strategy, policy analysis, and data-informed decision-making to tackle issues such as climate adaptation, resilient urban infrastructure and the sustainable management of food, water, and energy systems.

This program, offered through the College of Natural and Applied Sciences with founding faculties of ALES and Science, enables you to tailor your degree by choosing one of five concentrated areas of study: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Environmental Policy, Collaborative Governance, The Built Environment and Consumption and Production.

Why Choose This Program?

The Job Market is Growing — FAST

• 231% growth in ESG-related job postings year-over-year (2025)
• 233,000+ job openings in sustainability expected in Canada by 2029
• Sustainability jobs are growing 4x faster than the national average
• 24 million sustainability jobs projected globally by 2030

Sources: LinkedIn, ILO, ESG Rec, Natural Resources Canada, Made in CA

Top-Ranked Global Leader for Impact on Sustainability

The U of A is ranked #8 in the world and #2 in Canada for its work to address humanity’s greatest sustainability challenges, according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. The U of A’s Sustainability Council is leading transformative research embedded in this interdisciplinary graduate-level certificate.

Build Skills and Tailor Your Program

The program will enable you to develop in-demand skills and knowledge on systems thinking, critical data analysis, and artificial intelligence to shape sustainable solutions and effectively communicate sustainable outcomes. Personalize your program for career impact by choosing a focused concentration and culminate your master’s program with an applied, industry-engaged capstone project.

Flexible, Hybrid Delivery - Blending the Best of Online and On-campus Learning

Experience an accessible and high-impact delivery model combining the convenience of online learning with the credibility and engagement of an in-person graduate experience. Complete the core courses fully online, enabling flexibility and your concentration on-campus, creating an immersive, hands-on learning experience rich with peer networking, faculty and industry partner engagement.

Who Should Apply?

The Masters of Sustainability is ideal for:

• Early- to mid-career professionals across sectors transitioning into sustainability roles or expanding expertise
• Business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, across all sectors, leading sustainability initiatives and strategy
• Public servants advancing national, provincial, or municipal sustainability policy
• Nonprofit and international development professionals leading environmental advocacy
• Educators and communicators shaping the next generation
• Anyone seeking to launch a purpose-driven career in sustainability.

Whether you're in business, policy, engineering, education, or the nonprofit sector, integrating sustainability into your work is essential and increasingly expected across sectors.

What You’ll Learn

• Analyze the interconnectedness of environmental, social, cultural, economic, health and technical systems, and apply systems thinking approaches to advance sustainability goals
• Understand how sustainability transitions occur across organizations, governments, and communities, including the role of governance models and Indigenous perspectives
• Apply research, sustainability assessment tools (including ESG indicators and global frameworks), and data science and artificial intelligence to evaluate challenges and develop evidence-based solutions
• Develop, assess, and implement sustainability strategies across policy, business, community, and civil society contexts
• Lead sustainability initiatives through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration across sectors and disciplines
• Communicate complex sustainability challenges clearly to diverse audiences while navigating ethical considerations, including equity, justice, reconciliation, and intergenerational responsibility

Program Structure

The master’s program is delivered in a hybrid structure (online and on-campus requirements) over 30 total credits. 

Online Components:

Core Courses (complete all four (4), 3-credit courses):

Each core course is seven (7) weeks in length, and students can expect to spend approximately 15 - 20  hours per week on coursework.

• SUST 501: Foundations of Sustainability
• SUST 502: Integrated Sustainability Solutions
• SUST 503: Leadership for the Sustainability Transition
• DATA 555: Fundamentals of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

All four (4) core courses in the Master of Sustainability are also offered as part of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. If you complete the certificate and are later admitted to the Master of Sustainability, those courses will count toward the master’s core requirements through transfer credit.

On-campus Components:

Program Concentrations (complete four (4), 3-credit courses in one of the following areas):

• Climate Mitigation and Adaptation: Build expertise in climate science, policy, and practical mitigation and adaptation strategies. Analyze climate impacts through an interdisciplinary lens and design solutions that strengthen environmental resilience and support vulnerable communities.
• Environmental Policy (Fully Online or Hybrid): Examine the intersection of environmental science, governance, and policy development. Build skills to shape evidence-informed policies to address climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability challenges at local, national, and global levels.
• Collaborative Governance: Explore participatory decision-making and co-governance models that bring together governments, Indigenous communities, industry, and civil society. Learn to design inclusive, equitable governance frameworks to support long-term environmental stewardship.
• The Built Environment: Integrate engineering, planning, and policy perspectives to design resilient, sustainable urban and rural systems. Gain expertise in smart infrastructure, transportation planning, energy efficiency, and sustainable community development. A Bachelor of Engineering is strongly recommended to support academic success in this program concentration.
• Consumption and Production (Launching Fall 2027): Investigate the cultural and economic forces shaping consumption patterns and sustainable design. Develop innovative approaches that advance circular economy models, reduce waste, and promote responsible production systems.

View course options by concentration in our enrollment guide.

Capstone (six (6) credits):

• The capstone course features a group project that showcases the learning outcomes achieved throughout the program.

Ethics and Academic Citizenship (non-credit):

• 6-hour, online, non-credit course: INT D 710

Professional Development/Individual Development:

• All graduate students at the University of Alberta must meet the Professional Development Requirement to complete their program.

Completion time:

• Earn your graduate degree in as little as 12 months full-time, pending the availability of selected concentration courses
• You have up to six (6) years of part-time study

Important Timelines

Fall 2026 Admission

• Applications Open: Mar 25, 2026
• Applications Close (Domestic Students): Jul 31, 2026
• Applications Close (International Students): May 31, 2026

Winter 2027 Admission

• Applications Open: Mar 25, 2026
• Applications Close (Domestic Students): November 30, 2026
• Applications Close (International Students): September 30, 2026