PhD Sustainability at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in sustainability prepares you to become a scientist and leader in research who investigates the urgent sustainability challenges of this century. The flexible, transdisciplinary nature of the program allows you to focus on problems of interest to you, drawing upon relevant knowledge from sustainability science and a variety of disciplines. This full-time program includes a high degree of faculty interaction and collaboration.

What you will study

86 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (11 credit hours) SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3) SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3) SOS 525 Social-Ecological-Technical Systems (SETS): Domains and Interfaces (3) SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2) Solutions Workshop Electives (6 credit hours) Open Electives (45 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) SOS 792 Research (12) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SOS 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students take SOS 589 twice for one credit hour.

Career pathways

Graduates acquire an advanced understanding of sustainability frameworks, the dynamics of coupled social-ecological-technical systems, and research methods for qualitative and quantitative data. They use this knowledge to conduct original interdisciplinary research to address urgent sustainability challenges.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. The school encourages applicants with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences that are relevant to the school's core objectives. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of intent three letters of recommendation resume or curriculum vitae proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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