Ecological Economics

Program Overview

Ecological Economics starts with the premise that humanity, and the economies and societies we have designed, is inseparable from the biophysical world we share with all life. It comes to terms with dominant systems of thought that are disconnected with nature and result in unsustainable, unethical, and ultimately inefficient economies. Ecological economics sets out to reclaim our future from an ideology of separation and enable a well-being economy for all.

This Certificate of Graduate Study in Ecological Economics is one of the first fully online programs of its kind, dedicated to co-creating the knowledge and skills that sustainability practitioners and change markers of all backgrounds can use to design economies in service to ecological sustainability, social equity, and economic resilience. Rooted in the transdisciplinary approach of ecological economics, the program includes insights and expertise from academics and practitioners from around the world.

The program is anchored by three core courses in theory, methods, and practice of ecological economics, plus an additional two electives from diverse offerings such as ecology, sustainability leadership, political economy, and management. Subject matter experts include interdisciplinary University of Vermont (UVM) faculty, members of the International Society for Ecological Economics and affiliated regional societies, and research-to-practice partnerships with groups such as the Vermont Prosperity Project, Ecological Economics For All, Leadership for the Ecozoic, Wellbeing Economy Alliance, and Doughnut Economics Action Lab. 

Managed by the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, the program was developed in partnership with UVM’s Gund Institute for Environment and Planetary Health Initiative. 

A new online Masters in Ecological Economics is currently under development, which will accept credits transferred from this Certificate program. Other allied graduate programs at UVM include the PhD in Sustainable Development, Policy, and Governance, PhD in Natural Resources, PhD in Food Systems, MPS in Leadership for Sustainability, CGS in Agroecology, and the Sustainable Innovation MBA. 

In this program, you will

• Co-learn, network, and collaborate with change makers from around the world.
• Compare and contrast economic worldviews and resulting theories and decisions.
• Deliberate and design a new economics for a new economy grounded in biophysical reality and directed toward ethical purpose.
• Integrate systems thinking and post-growth frameworks to promote well-being for all within planetary boundaries.
• Develop plans for sustainability and resilience in the public and private sectors by bridging ecological economic theory to practice.
• Build and apply an ecological economics toolbox to analyze sustainability challenges, synthesize transdisciplinary approaches, and communicate ethical and science-based interventions. 

Curriculum

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Ecological Economics includes 15 credits of graduate level coursework: 9 credits of required core courses and 6 credits of approved electives. Core courses are available online in an asynchronous format. Learning modules are designed as one- to two-week units, completed at your own pace with regular check-ins and instructor feedback. Each course culminates in a signature assignment designed to be put into practice in the workplace, policy bodies, consultancies, local governments, advocacy campaigns, and much more. 

Required Core Courses

Ecological Economic Theory: 3 credits 

Ecological economics (EE) seeks to understand and respond to complex and co-evolving sustainability challenges from local to global scales. As such, this course presents a transdisciplinary and systems-based approach to economics that draws on natural and social sciences, diverse schools of economic thought, and a range of academic and practice-based perspectives. This heterodox approach is aligned with contemporary understanding of earth systems, human biology, and deliberative democracy. While orthodox approaches to economics tend to be oriented around market efficiency and economic growth, EE is presented with a three-tiered focus on sustainable scale, equitable distribution, and efficient allocation. Students will come to understand human economies as historically contingent on social norms and as co-evolved with biophysical systems.

Ecological Economic Methods: 3 credits

Ecological economics considers the human economy as embedded in a social system and constrained by the biophysical world. As such, problem definition, analysis, and synthesis draw from many disciplinary perspectives. This course develops the problem-based approach of EE, reviews key analytical tools used by ecological economists, and develops methods for transdisciplinary synthesis such as systems dynamic modeling, multi-criteria analysis, input-output analysis, energy return on investment, and spatial modeling of ecosystem services. Students develop a model of coupled human-natural systems to investigate a current management or policy decision.

Ecological Economic Practice: 3 credits 

The full problem-solving process includes both credentialed experts and experiential knowledge in defining, analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating action. This hands-on course brings together students, faculty, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to address a specific local, regional or global environmental problem. Students learn to apply the principles and methods of ecological economics, systems thinking, and post-growth frameworks to messy, complex, real-world problems. Outcomes include collaborative research papers, extended peer reviews, policy briefs, grant proposals, policy agendas, advocacy campaigns, and management interventions.

Elective Courses

Beyond the three core courses, completion of the full Certificate of Graduate Study requires two additional electives selected from an annually approved list of online options.  For on-campus students, other in-person graduate courses are available.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, online electives include:

Fall Semester

• Transformative Agroecology (ALE 6110)
• Participatory Action Research & Transdisciplinary Agroecology (ALE 6130)
• Data Visualization and Communication (NR 5450)
• Geospatial Computation (NR 5460)
• Principles of Modeling (NR 5990)
• Leadership for Sustainability (NR 6110)
• Transdisciplinary Leadership and Creativity (NR 6720)
• Research and Evaluation Methods (CDAE 6510)
• Sustainable Family Enterprise (BUS 6450)
• Accounting and Reporting for ESG (BUS 6670)
• Green Operations Management and Supply Chains (BUS 6700)
• Non-Profit Administration (PA 6230)
• State and Local Government (PA 6990)
• Social Justice Teaching and Advocacy (EDML 6220)
• Environmental Public Health (PH 6040)
• Social and Behavioral Public Health (PH 6060)
• Global Health Leadership (PH 6211)
• Case Studies in One Health (PH 6990)
• Applied Statistics (STAT 5020)

Spring Semester

• Ecological Foundations of Agroecology (ALE 6120)
• Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Social Movements (ALE 6140)

More to be announced soon!

Admissions

Certificate Program Only Applications: Applicants seeking to enroll in only a Certificate of Graduate Study program must complete the online UVM Graduate Application and all associated requirements. 

Current Graduate Students: Students currently enrolled in a University of Vermont graduate program must also complete the online UVM Graduate Application to apply to the certificate program. 

Dual Graduate Degree/Certificate Program Applications: Students applying at the same time for a graduate degree program and a Certificate of Graduate Study at UVM must first complete the online UVM Graduate Application for the degree program. Once accepted into the degree program applicants can then log back into the portal and choose the option to apply as a certificate student. A fee waiver will be provided by the Graduate Admissions office. 

Standalone Courses: If you wish to take courses individually, and not as part of a certificate program, no application is required. You can register through the Office of the Registrar. Note that some courses have prerequisites; instructor permission is required to bypass any prerequisite courses.

NOTE: A new online Master of Science degree in Ecological Economics is currently under development. We expect to be enrolling students for the Fall 2026 semester. Any courses earned as part of the Certificate of Graduate Study in Ecological Economics will be transferable into the new M.S. program. Stay tuned for details on the program and how to apply.