Institute for a Sustainable Future

DePaul Sustainability Scholars Program

The DePaul Sustainability Scholars Program is a bold, forward looking initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders. Each year, a select cohort of 20 incoming first year students embarks on a four-year interdisciplinary journey that integrates environmental science, policy, business, ethics, the humanities, and community engagement. Through a carefully designed curriculum and hands on research experiences, students develop the leadership and analytical skills needed to address complex sustainability challenges. Working closely with faculty, staff, and alumni mentors, Scholars complete a sequence of sustainability focused courses and design and implement applied research projects that generate tangible solutions for DePaul and the broader community over their four years at the university.

Environmental Pathways Program

Students interested in developing their skillset in sustainability have multiple combined graduate options:

Environmental Science (MS)

DePaul’s innovative MS program in Environmental Science provides a theoretically-grounded and professionally-oriented preparation for careers in environmental science. The degree will prepare students for a variety of environmental professions, including research careers. We envision that graduates will focus especially on careers in land management, including restoration ecology, species and landscape conservation, biodiversity management, green infrastructure management, urban ecology and a variety of ecological consultancy services.

Environmental Diplomacy (MA)

The Grace School’s concentration in Environmental Diplomacy is the first university program in the world designed to train future practitioners of diplomacy in this vital field and reflects the fact that the new language of diplomacy is emerging from three terms which are common to all cultures and geographic locations: “clean air,” “clean water” and “arable land.” The Environmental Diplomacy concentration provides a foundation for those who are interested in pursuing multiple career trajectories, including work in international and domestic NGO’s, the foreign service, science diplomacy, community organizing, municipal government and activism.

Sustainable Urban Development (MA)

Earn your master’s in Sustainable Urban Development and explore how cities cope with the 
demand for environmental sustainability while supporting economic growth and social 
justice. The program is framed by a simple value—that a sustainable city is one that’s 
sustainable for everyone. You will look at sustainability holistically, researching urban 
environments as an integrated system. Beyond theoretical knowledge, you’ll gain a 
technical foundation using industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
mapping software.

Chicago Climate and Community Innovation Initiative

An applied research initiative working with community partners to address pressing climate 
and sustainability challenges in Chicago, in partnership with the Steans Center and SPARK Centers.

Sustainable Urban Food Systems

The Sustainable Urban Food Systems Initiative seeks to channel DePaul resources toward the development of a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable food system in the Chicago Metropolitan Region.

Care for our Common Home: The DePaul Climate Action Plan

DePaul University’s Facilities Department and Facilities VP, Richard Wiltse, hosted campus listening sessions to inform design of a campus Climate Action Plan focused on strategies to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions on DePaul’s campus and other sustainable initiatives