DePaul Sustainability Scholars Program
The DePaul Sustainability Scholars Program is a bold, forward looking initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders. Beginning in 2027, a select cohort of 20 incoming first year students will annually embark on a four-year interdisciplinary journey that integrates environmental science, policy, business, ethics, the humanities, and community engagement. Through a carefully designed curriculum and hands on research experiences, students develop the leadership and analytical skills needed to address complex sustainability challenges. Working closely with faculty, staff, and alumni mentors, Scholars complete a sequence of sustainability focused courses and design and implement applied research projects that generate tangible solutions for DePaul and the broader community over their four years at the university.
Environmental Pathways Program
Students interested in developing their skillset in sustainability have multiple combined graduate options:
DePaul’s innovative MS program in Environmental Science provides a theoretically-grounded and professionally-oriented preparation for careers in environmental science. The degree will prepare students for a variety of environmental professions, including research careers. We envision that graduates will focus especially on careers in land management, including restoration ecology, species and landscape conservation, biodiversity management, green infrastructure management, urban ecology and a variety of ecological consultancy services.
The Grace School’s concentration in Environmental Diplomacy is the first university program in the world designed to train future practitioners of diplomacy in this vital field and reflects the fact that the new language of diplomacy is emerging from three terms which are common to all cultures and geographic locations: “clean air,” “clean water” and “arable land.” The Environmental Diplomacy concentration provides a foundation for those who are interested in pursuing multiple career trajectories, including work in international and domestic NGO’s, the foreign service, science diplomacy, community organizing, municipal government and activism.
Earn your master’s in Sustainable Urban Development and explore how cities cope with the demand for environmental sustainability while supporting economic growth and social justice. The program is framed by a simple value—that a sustainable city is one that’s sustainable for everyone. You will look at sustainability holistically, researching urban environments as an integrated system. Beyond theoretical knowledge, you’ll gain a technical foundation using industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping software.