University of Utah
IN-38: Sustainability Course Designation

Earning a Sustainability Course Attribute
URL: https://sustainability.utah.edu/faculty-resources/earning-a-sust-designation/
A formal Sustainability course designation program was implemented in Summer 2018. The URL links to the current application for an SUST designation. Note that the designation was updated in 2023, and prior to that time there were two designations for SUSC (sustainability complete) and SUSL (sustainability limited). The 2022 performance year course list attached uses the older SUSC/L designation system.

A SUST course must:
--Include and explore four of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
--Course learning outcomes must be linked to at least two of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
--The two SDGs addressed in course learning outcomes must be directly connected to a significant course assessment.

Sustainability course attributes appear in the General Catalog and are searchable in the Course Schedule. They can be accessed through the Office of Registrar- Course Catalog/ Class Schedules website. Class Schedules-> select: semester/year->Filter classes-> Other course attributes-> SUST

Pre-2023 Course attributes are:

Sustainability—Limited (SUSL)
Course content incorporates a unit or module on sustainability or a sustainability challenge, includes one or more sustainability-focused activities, or integrates two of the three sustainability concepts throughout the course.

Sustainability—Complete (SUSC)
Course content identifies and describes the relationship between the course topic, equity, economy, and environmental dimensions.

Instructors can submit a course syllabus and application form to apply online for a course attribute. Special topics courses cannot receive a designation though they may be approved as electives for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability on an individual basis.

In addition, core courses for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability are identified by a SUST course designation

NOTES

As of the 2023-24 academic year, the single sustainability course attribute is SUST. Between 2018-2022, there were two possible sustainability designations: SUSC (Sustainability Complete) and SUSL (Sustainability Limited).

SUST attributes do not apply to special topics or continuing education courses (AOCE). However, some AOCE courses are cross-listed with for-credit courses that do have a sustainability attribute.

SUST attributes do not show up on student transcripts. However, in 2017 many undergraduate degree programs identified emphasis areas that do appear on student transcripts. Many of these emphasis areas indicate significant sustainability course content.

SOURCES

Earning a Sustainability Course Attribute
URL: https://sustainability.utah.edu/education/faculty-resources/earning-a-sust-designation/