Academics
One of the primary functions of Coastal Carolina University is to educate its students. By training and educating future leaders, scholars, workers and professionals, the institution is uniquely positioned to prepare students to understand local and global sustainability challenges, and develop approaches to address those challenges. The following programs provide pathways for CCU students to study sustainability topics in depth, which better prepares them to address current and future sustainability challenges.
Undergraduate Degree Opportunities
Sustainability & Coastal Resilience, B.S. / B.A
At CCU, students can pursue either a Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainability and Coastal Resilience. Unique to this program, students apply knowledge and skills to the issues specifically facing coastal communities through coursework that focuses on coastal resiliency, a growing subfield in the sustainability profession. CCU is the first public institution in South Carolina to offer an undergraduate degree with a focus on sustainability, and the only institution in the nation to offer a degree in Sustainability and Coastal Resilience.
This interdisciplinary degree program employs a transformative learning approach that empowers learners to question and change the way they see and think about the world through knowledge acquisition, practical experience in the field, reflection and observation, and the co-generation of new ideas and solutions for 21st century challenges and opportunities. Because our students work directly on local sustainability and coastal resiliency issues, they are uniquely prepared to meet the needs of companies and organizations whose day-to-day business will directly benefit from the implementation of sustainability practices that increase coastal resiliency. For more information about the major, click here.
For a detailed description of the program, view the Undergraduate Course Catalog:
- Sustainability and Coastal Resilience, B.S.: Science and Ecosystems Concentration
- Sustainability and Coastal Resilience, B.A.: Policy and Culture Concentration
- Sustainability and Coastal Resilience, B.A.: Business and Economics Concentration
To learn more about what you can do with this major, click here.
Contact Megan McIlreavy at mmcilrea@coastal.edu for more information.
Certificate in Sustainability
The Certificate in Sustainability is a multidisciplinary academic program of 15 to 17 credit hours that gives students the opportunity to choose electives with sustainability based in their area of study. The program encourages students to critically analyze their chosen fields with an eye toward 21st century problem solving skills to help create a better tomorrow. The certificate in sustainability program is designed to offer students an integrated interdisciplinary structure to develop diverse competencies and tools for fields in both public and private sectors, including energy, education, corporate, government and nongovernment, and international.
For a detailed description of the program, view the Undergraduate Course Catalog:
Contact Dr. Andrew Busch at abusch@coastal.edu for more information.
Graduate Degree Opportunities
Coastal and Marine Wetland Studies Concentration, MBA
Due to the ever-increasing demands on our climate and ecosystem, this new MBA concentration is intended to prepare students to understand the impact of environment strategy as a fundamental component of business strategy and daily business operations. Career paths associated with this degree include but are not limited to: maritime business operations, environmental compliance/policy/consulting, sustainability programs, strategic sourcing/global supply chain and logistics, and more.
For a detailed description of the program, view the Graduate Course Catalog:
Contact Heather Carle at hread@coastal.edu for more information.
Other Curricular Opportunities
Solar Ambassadors
Solar Ambassadors are Coastal Carolina Students who have a deep interest in energy and renewable energy. These ambassadors are enrolled in a full year six credit program that requires the minimum of one outside the classroom work hour a week. Their goals as Solar Ambassadors are to raise awareness of solar and to educate the community about solar panels and renewable resources. They have given back to the community by raising money to install solar panels for various local organizations. For example, in Spring 2019, Solar Ambassadors raised $35,000 through crowdfunding to pay for the installation at the Veterans of foreign War (VFW) Post in Little River, SC and Murrells Inlet, SC. This project will divert 65% of the total energy used and prevent 456,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.
The United Nations Georgetown RISE Youth Corps
In 2018, Georgetown RISE launched a local initiative to better prepare leaders of tomorrow in making smart and sustainable choices for the future. Called the UN Youth Corps Program, this program is a high impact, transformative learning program centered on giving CCU students real life skills and professional experiences surrounding issues on sustainable development.
Each spring and summer semester, approximately 45-50 UN Youth Corps students work at a paid internship in Georgetown County, as designated by public and private county leaders. CCU faculty oversee the internships and experiences with county officials. Students are also enrolled in a class led by CCU instructor(s) with special lectures from county leaders on sustainable development and coastal resilience. At the end of each semester, students relate their internship experiences to local, national, and international goals, and present their findings in a public forum as part of a data collection effort for county leadership and stakeholders.
Questions about the Solar Ambassadors or UN Youth Corps Program can be directed to Pamela Martin at plmartin@coastal.edu.
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