As the climate crisis demands not only technological innovation but new ways of learning and leading, Teachers College, Columbia University is proud to launch the Master of Arts in Sustainability & Education — a first-of-its-kind Ivy League graduate program preparing changemakers at the intersection of environment, education, and equity.
Developed through years of collaboration and research at the Center for Sustainable Futures (CSF), the program positions education as a catalyst for systemic change. It empowers educators, policymakers, and organizational leaders to design learning experiences and policies that advance ecological integrity, social justice, and economic vitality across schools, nonprofits, universities, and communities.
Through a curriculum that integrates systems thinking, climate justice, and leadership, students explore the frameworks of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Climate Change Education (CCE) — gaining the mindset and tools to connect people, policy, and the planet. Courses like Climate Change, Society, and Education and Science in the Environment help learners translate sustainability principles into meaningful practice for teaching.
Offered as a cohort-based online program, the degree combines the flexibility of virtual learning with the close-knit connections of a collaborative community. Students engage in seminars, group projects, and webinars hosted by CSF, guided by faculty whose expertise spans environmental sustainability education, food systems, health, and learning design. Partnerships with the Columbia Climate School, NYC Public Schools, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, and international organizations provide opportunities for applied research and field experience.
Graduates will be equipped to lead sustainability initiatives across sectors — influencing curriculum design, shaping policy, managing programs, or advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance and climate literacy initiatives worldwide.
The program builds on a strong foundation of sustainability scholarship across Teachers College, including work through the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy and the Development, Ecopsychology, and Wellness (DEW) Lab. Together, these communities have helped define what sustainability education can be: inclusive, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented.
Ultimately, the M.A. in Sustainability & Education affirms TC’s belief that education - broadly defined - is central to solving the climate crisis. Students don’t just earn a degree — they join a growing movement to use learning as a lever for building a more just and sustainable world.
Prospective students who are interested in learning more about the program are warmly invited to attend an upcoming information session or reach out to the Center for Sustainable Futures to coordinate a visit — either in person or via Zoom — to one of our weekly meetings. These sessions offer a chance to experience how faculty and students collaborate on real-world sustainability projects and research.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact csf@tc.columbia.edu