Certificate Frequently Asked Questions

There is no need to apply for the Certificate before completing its requirements; instead, please complete this survey to let us know you are interested in earning it. To earn the Certificate, follow these instructions. (follow the steps on the front page of the certificate).

Please fill out this super short survey (2 min). This survey will also help us keep you in the loop about how to earn the Certificate and anything Climate-related at SFSU.

Yes. If you are a current SFSU graduate student and you took undergraduate courses at SFSU, those courses can also be used toward the Certificate (even if the Certificate didn’t exist when you took the courses).

Yes. You would enroll via the College of Professional & Global Education through Open University

For  questions contact Professor Aritree Samanta at asamanta@sfsu.edu

• For students whose first semester of enrollment at SFSU is Fall 2023, see the new certificate coursework checklist or the SFSU Bulletin.
• If your first enrollment as a student at SFSU began before Fall 2023, you may choose the original certificate coursework checklist or the new certificate coursework checklist or the SFSU Bulletin.

You can start taking courses for the certificate at any time they are offered. You may have already taken courses that will count! See requirements and course options:

• For students whose first semester of enrollment at SFSU is Fall 2023, see the new certificate coursework checklist or the SFSU Bulletin.
• If your first enrollment as a student at SFSU began before Fall 2023, you may choose the original certificate coursework checklist or the new certificate coursework checklist or the SFSU Bulletin. 

You need to complete Area 5 “applied component” if: 

• Your first semester of enrollment at SFSU is Fall 2023 and you are following the new certificate coursework checklist OR; 
• Your enrollment at SFSU began before Fall 2023, and you are choosing to follow the new certificate coursework checklist

The applied component requirement can be met in multiple ways, including service learning, internship, work projects, or integrating climate into a major or minor requirement, such as a capstone or thesis that focuses on applying your learning for real world impact. You can also meet this requirement through select classes (BIOL 681 and COMM 675 OR combination of RRS 694+BIOL 681). Click here to see the ways you can meet the applied component requirement.

For questions on how to meet the applied component, please contact Professor Gopal Dayaneni at gopaldayaneni@sfsu.edu

Identify an advisor and email them to set up an advising appointment. A list of advisors can be found on the Climate HQ Certificate Advising Page.

Yes. To illustrate, here are 2 examples: 

• If you were an ENVS major, you could count ENVS 130 for your ENVS major, for the Environmental Sustainability requirement, and for the Climate Change Certificate. 
• Any major could count RRS 276 for their B2 requirement and as one of their four courses in the Climate Change Certificate.

Yes. Note that all Certificate coursework must be completed within 7 years from registration for your first Certificate course.

If a course is transferred in as a specific SFSU course that is already part of the certificate then it can fulfill certificate requirements. At least half the Certificate units must be taken in residence at SFSU. 

Some certificate courses might be offered in the summer and winter semesters. Once you choose the courses you are interested in, please check the bulletin or contact the current course instructor to see if their courses are offered over summer or winter sessions. 

After you turn in your paperwork and all the signatures are complete, you will see that your Certificate has been earned by going to the Student Center, clicking on “My Academics” and then “Graduation Status.” Your Certificate credential will appear on your transcript and you will also receive a physical copy in the mail.

You can add it to your resume/CV, include it as information in cover letters for internships or jobs, and use it to apply for jobs in consulting, government, education, nonprofits, etc.

Yes.

Yes.