Climate change
Certificate, graduate
Advance your climate expertise
Earn your graduate certificate in climate change and gain advanced knowledge of climate systems and their impacts. This 12-credit program begins with an in-depth study of global climate change and includes three electives focused on topics such as climate ecology, mitigation, societal resilience, water-energy systems, glaciology and tree-ring science.
Ideal for professionals and current graduate students in environmental science, geography, resource management or policy fields, this certificate strengthens your ability to design, evaluate and lead climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Overview
Elevate your climate leadership
Degree fit
This certificate could be a good fit if you:
- Are pursuing or have a graduate degree in environmental science, geography, policy or a related discipline.
- Want advanced skills in adaptation, mitigation and communication of climate solutions.
- Aim to deepen expertise in water‑energy‑climate systems, ecological resilience or resource planning.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,279 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Compliance Managers
$48,420 - Recycling Coordinators
$44,716 - Financial Sales Agents
$44,825 - Chief Sustainability Officers
$91,572 - Forest and Conservation Workers
$26,908
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Clubs and organizations
- Environmental Science Club
- Conservation and Environment Club
- Vandal Clean Energy Club (VCEC)
- EcoVandals
Application information
Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate level certificate as a standalone program are encouraged to submit a graduate application. A bachelor’s degree earned with a minimum 3.0 GPA in a similar or generally related field or a master’s degree is required for admission. Applicants who do not immediately meet the criteria above may still be admitted upon review by the academic program. The graduate application requires transcripts from post-secondary education (bachelor’s and master’s if applicable), a resume and a $30 application fee.
International graduate certificate applicants must meet the graduate admission English language proficiency requirement. International students admitted to a graduate certificate program as a standalone program are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa status.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I undergraduate students
Current undergraduate students who wish to earn a graduate academic certificate must be eligible to participate in graduate level courses (minimum requirements — senior standing and an overall GPA of at least 3.0). If the course is not being used for the undergraduate degree, the student should file a Course Level Adjustment form to reserve the course for the graduate transcript (maximum of 12 credits may be reserved for the graduate transcript). Once the student earns their bachelor’s degree they may apply as a graduate certificate seeking student and complete the certificate program.
Contact your academic advisor for additional information and support.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I graduate students
Current graduate degree seeking U of I students will be required to fill out a Change of Curriculum form adding the graduate certificate as an additional curriculum. Students should obtain the proper signatures from the department and return this form to the College of Graduate Studies for processing.
U of I students who earned a master’s or a doctoral degree and wish to apply for a graduate certificate must submit a graduate Readmission application.
It is recommended that you consult with your major professor prior to selecting a graduate certificate to go concurrent with your graduate program.