CWU Sustainability
Academics
Central Washington University has numerous programs in which sustainability is a central theme:
Through this program, students will gain the necessary professional and technical skills for entry into successful environmental careers or for graduate studies in environmental fields.The major offers five specialization options in environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental geography, environmental geology, and environmental policy.
CWU’s Sustainability Certificate offers students from any academic path an opportunity to develop experiential, service-learning projects that focus on improving the sustainability needs of the university or a community partner.
In the Sustainable Tourism Minor, we invite you to explore the dynamic world of tourism through a lens of environmental stewardship, cultural appreciation, and social responsibility. You will learn about sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impacts, ways to support local communities, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Together, we will discover innovative ways to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for the tourism industry.
ENST 480 - Campus Sustainability
Campus Sustainability is a project-based course, in which students complete a project that enhances environmental, social and/or economic sustainability at CWU. Projects may be focussed on reducing CWU’s environmental impact, improving resource use efficiency, and/or community engagement. The class is open to students of all majors and all levels. All that is needed is an interest in being active to improve CWU sustainability. For Environmental Studies students, the class can be used towards fulfilling your ENST internship credits.
The Sustainable Practices in IT minor or certificate explores how information technology—including procurement, lifecycle impacts of IT systems, artificial intelligence, and data center sustainability—can advance environmental stewardship, social equity, and ethical innovation. Students gain practical skills in data analysis, systems evaluation, and sustainable IT strategy, preparing them to lead responsible tech initiatives across industries. Open to all majors, the program is ideal for those interested in reducing environmental impact and promoting equity in digital systems.
The Sustainable IT Graduate Specialization or Certificate prepares professionals to lead environmentally responsible digital transformation through strategic policy, scalable technologies, and lifecycle stewardship. Students gain expertise in sustainable IT governance, AI-enhanced infrastructure, and low-impact lifecycle management of digital systems.
Courses include frameworks for policy and compliance (Sustainable IT Policy and Governance), AI-driven strategies to scale sustainability across industries (Scaling Sustainable IT), and best practices for minimizing environmental impact throughout the IT lifecycle (IT Lifecycle Management). Graduates will be equipped to implement sustainable IT solutions that align with organizational goals and global sustainability standards.
Master of Science in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management
Central Washington University's interdisciplinary program leading to a Master of Science degree in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management offers two emphases: Cultural Resource Management and Natural Resource Management.
Additionally, CWU offers over 60 undergraduate courses that include sustainability.
CWU News
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