Requirements and Guidelines
Environmental Ethics Certificate Course Outline
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 which clearly defines problems, considers all the information, and maintains our values.
Required courses include a core course in ecology and in philosophy, an environmental ethics seminar seminar, and a capstone independent research project. Through elective courses, you will choose to explore other facets of environmental ethics such as environmental justice, aesthetics and perceptions of nature, animal rights, ecofeminism, environmental economics, sustainable design, and environmenta 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.
Admissions Requirements
- Students must fill out the EECP application here. There is no application fee.
- Students must be in good academic standing with the university at the time of application.
Students will be notified by email when they have been accepted into the program. Once accepted, undergraduate students must add the Environmental Ethics Certificate to their active curricula program via the MyPrograms option in Athena. Graduate students must meet with the director to fill out a certificate form.
Deadlines to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, students will be considered for entry into the program starting the semester after the application has been submitted.
Advising
Students are encouraged to meet with the director and/or the certificate graduate assistant after an application has been approved to plan a program of study and then periodically after as needed.
Maintaining Regular Progress
Regular progress is expected to remain in the program.
Pre/Post Certificate Surveys
Upon admittance into the certificate program, students will be prompted to complete an online survey to measure their baseline environmental ethics attitudes and knowledge. Near completion of the certificate, students will gain access to another online survey measuring approximately the same domains. These assessments are for internal use only (primarily to measure the effectiveness of the program), and responses will not have bearing on the students' approval to receive the certificate; however, students are strongly encouraged to complete both surveys.
Technology Requirements
Students will need access to internet and a computer. Technology requirements will depend on the department and individual class requirements of the relevant certificate course.
College of Environment + Design technology questions can be answered at the CED Technology Services page.
Completing the Certificate
When you Apply to Graduate - you must apply to Graduate with the Environmental Ethics Certificate. This will be done the semester you graduate - do NOT forget. Here is what you will do when the time comes:
Log onto Athena: athena.uga.edu
Click: Student > Apply to Graduate > Follow the Directions to add the Environmental
Ethics Certificate.
Exceptions
Students can petition for exceptions to any requirement for the certificate. A written rationale for the exception should be included in the Checklist under Exceptions. The director, in consultation with the Advisory Board, will review the petition and let the student know the results.