The Master’s Pathway in Foundations of Sustainable Development is a program for learners who want to earn academic credit towards a Master’s degree.
Sustainable development is the most urgent challenge facing humanity. Its fundamental question is: How can the world economy continue to develop in a way that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable to face global challenges? A thriving global society relies on the stability of the Earth and its resilience across oceans, ecosystems, waterways, biodiversity, the atmosphere, and more. So, how do we shape sustainability at a global scale? And with the growing demand for “green skills” in jobs around the world, how can professionals drive sustainability in their industries?
The Master’s Pathway is a partnership between the SDG Academy and University College Dublin (UCD), one of Europe’s leading universities, to give learners a flexible, accredited pathway to further education in the field of sustainable development.
- Start with the SDG Academy’s Master’s Pathway Professional Certificate on edX.
- Then, apply to UCD’s online Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development. If accepted, you’ll automatically receive 10 credits. UCD’s 10-credit online Global Classroom module rounds out the Professional Diploma.
- You can also enroll directly in the UCD Professional Diploma and complete the edX Professional Certificate as part of the program.
- Continue on to UCD’s online Master’s of Science (MSc.) in Sustainable Development—with 20 academic credits already in hand! This is an excellent option for learners with nontraditional academic backgrounds who want to strengthen their CVs before starting a Master’s program.
Delve into the foundations of sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with world-renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs, environmental scientist Johan Rockström (one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2023), and other global leaders in the field. For this graduate certificate, you will learn the tenets of sustainable development and how our societies can develop within the planet’s boundaries to prevent biodiversity loss, deforestation, desertification, and environmental degradation.
From learning the interactions between sustainable economic growth and environmental sustainability to understanding activities that drive climate change and the boundaries set by the planet’s natural resources, this sustainable development micro-credential will set you on a path to tackle challenges locally and globally.
FAQs
What is the Master’s Pathway?
The Master’s Pathway in Foundations of Sustainable Development is a program for learners who want a flexible way to earn academic credit towards a Master’s degree.
Who is the Master’s Pathway for?
The Master’s Pathway is for anyone who is looking for a flexible, affordable way to earn academic credit towards a degree in sustainable development. Anyone can complete the Master’s Pathway Professional Certificate on edX.
If you want to take the next step, apply for UCD’s online Professional Diploma. (See entry requirements here.) The Professional Diploma, which consists of the edX Professional Certificate and UCD’s online Global Classroom module, is worth 20 academic credits.
If you complete the UCD Professional Diploma with Second Class Honours or above, then you will be invited to continue on to UCD’s online Master’s of Science (MSc.) in Sustainable Development—with 20 academic credits already in hand!
The Master’s Pathway is a great option for students who aren’t ready to start a Master’s right away, or who want to strengthen their credentials before applying to a Master’s program.
Is the Master’s Pathway accredited?
The edX Professional Certificate is not accredited on its own. However, once you are admitted to the UCD Professional Certificate, you will receive 10 credits for having completed the edX Professional Certificate.
Do I have to complete the edX Professional Certificate before I can apply to the UCD Professional Diploma program?
No! You can start with the SDG Academy’s Master’s Pathway Professional Certificate on edX and then apply to UCD’s online Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development.
OR
You can enroll directly in the UCD Professional Diploma, where you will complete the edX Professional Certificate as part of the program.
What are the fees involved?
The Professional Certificate in Master’s Pathway in Foundations of Sustainable Development on edX, consisting of three SDG Academy online courses, is available for 147 USD. edX offers financial assistance to applicants who qualify.
As of 2024, fees for the UCD Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development are 2,624 Euro. Please note that completing the edX Professional Certificate prior to starting the UCD Professional Diploma does NOT constitute a discount on the fees. However, completing the edX Professional Certificate first offers more flexibility.
As of 2024, fees for the UCD MSc. in Sustainable Development are 5,630 Euro per year. UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Are there scholarships available?
For the edX Professional Certificate, edX offers financial assistance to applicants who qualify.
For the UCD Professional Diploma and the UCD MSc. in Sustainable Development, UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.