Who We Are

The Environmental Ethics Certificate Program (EECP) is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to synthesize ideas from a wide variety of perspectives to solve complex environmental problems, both in theory and in practice. It is the first certificate of its type in the United States, established by Eugene Odum and Frederick Ferré in 1983.

The program emphasizes environmental leadership and the knowledge, skills, values, and competence necessary to address environmental issues in interdisciplinary and collaborative ways. The program provides a forum where philosophers, scientists, and people from all other disciplines can discuss social and scientific responsibilities toward our environment in a rational manner that clearly defines problems, considers all the information, and maintains our values.

Required courses include a core course in ecology and philosophy, an environmental ethics seminar, and a capstone independent research project. Through elective courses, students explore other facets of environmental ethics, such as environmental justice, aesthetics, perceptions of nature, animal rights, ecofeminism, environmental economics, sustainable design, and environmental policy.

The Environmental Ethics Certificate will complement any area of study. Alumni of the EECP have gone on to successful careers in business, landscape architecture, academia, environmental advocacy, planning, and more.

EECP Emblem

Sea oat drawing used as the EECP Emblem.The endangered plant, sea oats (Uniola paniculata), is primarily responsible for the stability of the dunes on Georgia’s barrier islands. Without sea oats, the barrier islands would soon be destroyed by the ocean. Sea oats exhibit the beauty of form and function characteristic of nature; consciousness of such a value in nature is one basis of environmental ethics. This illustration of sea oats, by Allen Rowell, is the official emblem of the EECP.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed at the end of the month.

Undergraduate Certificate Application
  1. Please read the Requirements and Guidelines page to learn more about the certificate program.
  2. Complete the application form. You will receive an email confirming your application has been submitted.
  3. The director will review all applications, and applicants will be notified of approval.
  4. Once approved, you will need to add the Environmental Ethics Certificate to your plan of study in Athena.
Graduate Certificate Application
  1. Please read the Requirements and Guidelines page to learn more about the Certificate program.
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. The director will review all applications, and applicants will be notified of approval.
  4. Once approved, you will need to meet with the director to complete a certificate form.

Financial Aid

Environmental Ethics Student Ambassador Scholarship Program

Student representatives, chosen before the Fall semester each year, serve as leaders, ambassadors, and peer mentors for the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program. Students commit to 10 hours per semester and receive group programming / professional development, mentoring and leadership experience, and connection to a small group of like-minded students. The ambassadorship is accompanied by a $1,000 scholarship.

For more information, visit this page.

Kleiner Award

Picture of Mr. and Mrs. Kleiner.The Margaret S. Kleiner Graduate Fellowship Fund provides support for an outstanding graduate student pursuing the Environmental Ethics certificate. Income from the fund may be used for tuition, living expenses, and other special expenses incurred in the course of graduate study.

Margaret Shippen Kleiner (1908-1998) was born in Ellijay, Georgia, raised in Marietta, and resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, most of her life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati. She was an avid naturalist, conservationist, horticulturalist, and gardener whose involvement with conservation issues began in the 1940s with efforts in soil conservation.

Honored by the Garden Club of America for lifetime achievements as a gardener, propagator, and judge, Mrs. Kleiner was also a dedicated supporter of the Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the National Audubon Society. The Fund was created by Mrs. Kleiner’s sons, Scott and Eugene, and Scott’s wife, Heather. Scott and Heather Kleiner are UGA faculty members.

College of Environment + Design

Financial aid through the College of Environment + Design can be found here.

University of Georgia

University-wide financial aid information can be found at the Office of Student Financial Aid.

EECP Student Ambassador Scholarship Program

The Environmental Ethics Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary program involving students, faculty, and staff from across campus. Student representatives, chosen before the Fall semester each year, serve as leaders, ambassadors, and peer mentors for the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program. Students commit to ~10 hours of ambassador related activities per semester and receive a scholarship, group programming / professional development, mentoring and leadership experience, and connection to a small group of like-minded students.

This scholarship is specific to the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program and separate from College of Environment + Design scholarships.

Award

The Environmental Ethics Student Ambassador Scholarship program supports students with a $1,000 scholarship throughout their service term. A service term includes a full academic year.

2024-2025 Scholarship Deadline

The Environmental Ethics Certificate Program is currently accepting Environmental Ethics Student Ambassador applications. Applications are due March 1, 2024. Decisions will be sent out by March 15th.

Requirements
  • Attend a kick-off meeting upon acceptance to the Ambassadors program in late Spring 2024.
  • Meet monthly as a group (virtually or in person) during the service year.
  • Organize or co-organize at least one environmental ethics event outside of the classroom per semester. This can include Philosopher’s Walks, film screenings, a service activity, a social event, fundraising, or a professional development activity.
  • Contribute material to EECP social media.
  • Represent the Environmental Ethics Certificate at a minimum of one (1) programming events and classes each semester (Philosopher’s Walks, film screenings, interest meetings, etc.).
  • Provide student feedback to the Certificate Program staff and director.
  • Support outreach and recruitment efforts at potential tabling opportunities.
Terms of Service

EECP Student Ambassadors must commit to a full academic year of service. Students may re-apply to the program each year.

Eligibility
  • Students are selected based on passion and interest, academic records, interpersonal skills, and dependability.
  • Students must be enrolled in the Certificate.
  • Show a strong commitment to the Certificate and environmental ethics.
  • Students must be in good academic standing with the university at the time of application.

Support Us

Donations

If you wish to support the EECP monetarily, contributions may be made online at our Environmental Ethics Support Fund. Click here to donate now!

Checks should be made payable to The University of Georgia Foundation. On the memo portion of your check, write “Environmental Ethics Certificate Program” and mail it to the following address:

Office of Development
College of Environment and Design
285 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602

In Person

Visit our News and Events page and follow the EECP’s Instagram and CED’s Facebook and Instagram to get updates on upcoming events to support us in person! Seminars, Philosopher’s Walks, etc., are open to all students and are open to the public.

The Latest CED News

Yulia Shaffer
Banner graphic collage of art from CED students with the American Society of Architectural Illustrators logo.
CED alumni spotlight banner graphic picturing Lauren Brandes and Marisa Scalera.

Join the College of Environment + Design and prepare to shape our world.