Sustainability Studies, minor

Sustainability Studies, minor

Program Overview

Do you want to make a difference in global challenges related to resources and the environment? Are you the type of person who explores all sides of an issue to solve complex problems or come up with innovative solutions? Can you see yourself helping organizations understand how certain actions will affect the environment, or implementing policies and strategies for a more sustainable future? If so, a sustainability studies minor could add immense value to your career goals.

The sustainability studies minor is interdisciplinary, since it draws together themes from across campus. You will set the foundation to address sustainability issues with a biology class to gain understanding in how the needs of people and the environment intersect. From there, you will select classes from business, sociology, consumer science, international development, theology, and political science as you explore sustainability from multiple perspectives. At the end, you will combine what you have learned across campus in a sustainability internship or research project. This broad range of academic disciplines will empower you to understand the connections and interactions between the environment and people, and provide you with critical skills needed to tackle sustainable use problems facing our world.

Studying Life to Sustain It

The Care in Corporation: How Isabel Ashley’s Role at Amazon Blends Sustainability and Success
PLNU’s Catalina Ecology Trip Immerses Students in Nature

Protecting What Matters

Videos (7)
Articles (10)
The Care in Corporation: How Isabel Ashley’s Role at Amazon Blends Sustainability and Success Though she didn’t know it at the time, her passion for international development would lead to a career at Amazon in social responsibility.  Discover
PLNU’s Catalina Ecology Trip Immerses Students in Nature When PLNU ecology students went on a trip to Catalina Island they came back with a fresh perspective on appreciating and stewarding creation. Discover
Marcos Mujica Works to Heal Creation Through Agrarian Craft Marcos Mujica was driven to start Agrarian Craft by a calling from God. Discover
How Do We Live Like Every Day Is Earth Day? How to talk about sustainability in a way that motivates us to keep striving for better, while encouraging others to join us on the journey of caring for creation. Discover
Turning The Tide: Ensuring A World With The Ocean For Future Generations The ocean is under threat, read about how carelessness is destroying God’s creation, and what the rest of us can do to help. Discover
Is Adding a Minor to Your Degree Worth It? Learn more about college minors, how to add a minor to your degree, and how future employers see value in adding a college minor to your degree. Discover
Faith and Hip-Hop: Lindsey Lupo’s Journey to Social Justice through Music For Lindsey Lupo, growing up in the golden age of hip-hop meant a view into the power behind lyrics, stories, and speaking up about injustice – a perspective she now brings to her students at PLNU. Discover
Talk to Me: Dean Nelson on Better Conversations If you ask Dean Nelson, Ph.D., founder and director of the journalism program at PLNU, about the driving force behind his life and work, he’ll most likely tell you it’s curiosity. That same curiosity is also the driving force behind his most recent book, Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, Discover
4 Impactful Research Projects from PLNU Professors PLNU is home to a variety of talented and hardworking professors doing important research in San Diego and beyond! Here are 4 professors in the biology and chemistry departments whose projects stand out as creative, fascinating, and impactful. Discover
What Degree Should I Get to Work in Nonprofits? There are many undergraduate degrees that prepare you for a career in the nonprofit sector, many of which can be tailored to your specific cause interests. Discover

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Sustainability Studies, minor program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Start Application

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Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Career Opportunities

Sustainability concerns are becoming more relevant in nearly every industry. As a result, there are many organizations interested in hiring people who understand how decision-making activities may affect various sustainability issues and opportunities. Whether you plan to pursue a career in business, science, law, journalism, or many other industries, a minor in sustainability studies could be an excellent addition to your degree.

A minor in sustainability combined with your bachelor’s degree can lead to careers in the following:

  • Environmental Law
  • Biotechnology
  • Research and Development
  • Marketing
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Nonprofit/NGO
  • Public Policy
  • Urban Planning
  • Consulting

From Classroom to Earth: Leading the Charge for Change

"Doing the Right Thing, Together"
"A Passion for Purposeful Change"

From Awareness to Action

Quotes (3)
Pictures (5)
Doing the Right Thing, Together
"I’ve been involved for more than 30 years in ocean conservation efforts, and it used to be that when you talked about a beach cleanup, people looked at you like you were weird. But now, it’s a badge of honor to do something environmentally sound. There are so many more people taking action and talking about doing the right thing and voting with their wallets and supporting grassroots organizations. We are at the tip of the iceberg of this movement blowing up. I am extremely hopeful of where we are headed. I wish it was faster, and it needs to be faster, but more people are talking about it and engaging with these issues, and that is what gives me hope."
Vipe Desai Business Writing B.A.
A Passion for Purposeful Change
"My passion for community health, food security and sustainability was sparked in my Sustainability In Action class at PLNU. You can really see how much our professors cares about the values of sustainability and environmental stewardship."
Molly Guldin International Development B.A. and Sustainability minor
The Calling Was Always There
"I always knew I wanted to help people at every opportunity. I would give presentations to my class in elementary school about global warming and recycling and saving the polar bears. I had never heard of Point Loma at the time but when I picked up a pamphlet and saw the majors offered and noticed things like sustainability and nonprofit management I thought, 'This is for me; I am so ready for this."
Isabel Ashley International Development B.A.

Department Faculty

Get Involved

A bird's eye perspective of hands shucking green lima beans into a large metal pot

Center for International Development

Passionate about relieving global poverty? Interested in learning sustainable economic solutions? If so, join PLNU's Center for International Development (CID).

Microfinance Club

Microfinance Club

PLNU's Microfinance Club brings students together who have a passion for global poverty issues, and serving "the least of these" by combining viable business solutions with a compassionate mindset.