Sustainable Practices - Bachelor of Applied Science | Cascadia College

Sustainable Practices

Degree:

Bachelor of Applied Science - Sustainable Practices (focus in Environmental Studies)

Area of Interest:

Earth Sciences, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies

Program Length:

90 College-level Credits (see minimum entry requirements)

Cost:

Review tuition, fees, and residency classifications

Review international rates

Modalities:

Coursework may be completed through a combination of (web enhanced), hybrid and online modes. Most core classes in the BASSP program are offered 2-3 days a week, between 3:30 PM and 7:50 PM. A typical schedule will allow students to be on campus only 2-3 days a week, M/W or M/T/W. Not every course is offered in the same modality each quarter. Specific courses may be offered at certain times of the year. Consult the current Class Schedule, or contact the program advisor.

Placement:

The BASSP program has entry requirements.  See the Application Process Tab - students must have completed at least 90 credits equivalent with specific courses required.

Math Notes:

You will need to consult with an academic advisor after placement to be sure to enroll in a course that is consistent with your planned course of study. 

MATH& 107 or higher required to enter program.

Contact:

If you have any questions about this pathway, contact: Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices – Stephan Classen sclassen@cascadia.edu

Planning Your Courses: 

Students in this program have access to a dedicated academic advisor. Your advisor will help you develop the skills to make academic and career pathway decisions. Through advising, your advisor will support you to make connections between academic interests, long term goals, and career opportunities. The advisor will assist with education planning, internship and career planning, and graduation processes. Contact Stephan Classen sclassen@cascadia.edu for more information.

The Annual Course Planning Guide shows Cascadia’s tentative plan for classes and the quarters in which they are offered. It is intended for planning purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee of class offerings. Actual quarterly sections may be changed, added, or removed. Students should use the Searchable Quarterly Class Schedule to see up to date class offerings.

Courses:

0-30 credits

  • SUPR 300 BAS-SP Program Orientation
  • BIOL 320 Biodiversity  
  • GEOL 360 Earth Systems and Global Climate Change
  • SUPR 301 Introduction to Sustainable Practice
  • SUPR 290 Career Pathways:  Sustainable Practices  
  • SUPR 310 Statistics for Research in Sustainable Practices
  • SUPR 325 Social Perspectives on Sustainable Practices
  • *Approved Elective Requirement

*Talk to academic advisor. Electives should be confirmed with advisor before registration.

30-60 credits

  • BUS 480 Sustainable Business Practices
  • SUPR 410 Research Design and Methods in Sustainable Practices
  • ENVS 370 Environmental Chemistry, Pollution, and Waste Management  
  • GEOG 440 Global Natural Resource Management  
  • *PHIL 243 Environmental Ethics and Sustainability or Elective Requirement 
  • *Approved Elective Requirement    

*Talk to academic advisor. Electives should be confirmed with advisor before registration.

60-90 credits

  • ECON 460 Economics of Natural Resources
  • POLS 306 State Government and Public Policy
  • POLS 445 Environmental Politics and Policy  
  • SUPR 397 Sustainable Practices Work-Based Learning I or SUPR 497 Sustainable Practices Work-Based Learning II
  • SUPR 490 Sustainable Practices Capstone

Every student will design and complete a capstone project. It is intended to provide work-based learning opportunities so you can apply your knowledge and further develop your skills in a workplace setting for sustainability!

Career Possibilities

Find a career in Sustainable Practices, Environmental Management, Social work, Government positions, and more! 

Existing alumni position titles include: Project Management positions, Transportation Manager, Waste Zero Education Specialists, Natural Resources Manager, Stormwater Manager, Store Managers, Operations Manager, Lab Technicians, Survey Technicians, Green Building Rating System Project Assistant, Field Ecologist, Program Coordinator

See student stories on our campus blog!

You can learn more about career possibilities related to your interests in this pathway through O*Net Online. O*Net Online shares information about related careers, salary, skills related to the industry, and more.

Connect with Cascadia’s Career and Transfer Center for assistance as you go through the process of planning career and future educational goals.

Some job opportunities may also exist in business corporations, non-profits, and Tribal Enterprises.

The Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Sustainable Practices is intentionally designed to prepare students as sustainability professionals who can build resilience and implement meaningful change in response to complex environmental, economic and social problems. The program seeks to develop five competencies:

  • Systems Thinking - the ability to collectively analyze complex systems across different domains (society, environment, economy, etc.) and across different scales (local to global)
  • Interpersonal - the ability to motivate, enable, and facilitate collaborative and participatory sustainability research and problem solving
  • Anticipatory - the ability to collectively analyze, evaluate, and craft rich "pictures" of the future related to sustainability issues and sustainability problem-solving frameworks
  • Strategic - the ability to collectively design and implement interventions, transitions, and transformative governance strategies toward sustainability
  • Normative - the ability to collectively map, specify, apply, reconcile, and negotiate sustainability values, principles, goals, and targets

Prerequisites

In order to consider your application, you must meet one set of the following conditions (please contact our advisor for more info or questions!):

  • An Applied Science Associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the area of sustainability, environmental technology, or equivalent, consisting of at least 90 credits, with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average and a 2.0 grade in each of the following courses:
    • English 101 (5 credits) or equivalent
    • Any Math course that required Intermediate Algebra (MATH 085) as a prerequisite (5 credits)
    • Natural Science course with lab in either Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, or Geology (5 credits)

Or

  • A transfer Associate degree from a regionally accredited college consisting of at least 90 credits or a bachelor’s degree; with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average and a 2.0 grade in each of the following courses:
    • English 101 (5 credits) or equivalent
    • Any Math course that required Intermediate Algebra (MATH 085) as a prerequisite (5 credits)
    • Natural Science course in either Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Natural Science, or Geology (10 credits with at least 5 credits in a lab science)
    • Social Science course (5 credits)

Students with relevant work or volunteer experience and some college credit but without degrees are encouraged to meet with the Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices, sclassen@cascadia.edu, to discuss enrollment options.

International Students are welcome to apply for the BASSP program and will need to have foreign transcripts evaluated by a Cascadia approved evaluator and English language placement with Cascadia's international department. Please contact the Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices, sclassen@cascadia.edu, with questions.

Students who wish to take courses without being admitted to the program (non-matriculated) may be considered on a space-available basis, following state policies for students at bachelor's level courses.

Apply

Please select Bachelors of Applied Science Degrees from Get Started for step-by-step application instructions.

We will 3 additional steps from you:

  • Write an essay (no more than 2 pages, 500 words) answering the following questions:
    • What sustainability challenge (local, national or global) matters most to you and why?

    • What are the ecological, political, social and economic factors contributing to this challenge?

    • How will courses and opportunities from this degree help you address those factors and contribute to alleviating this challenge?

    • How will this degree help you accomplish your educational and career goals?

  • Submit your resume

    • Skills based resume including all relevant work and volunteer experience.

  • Submit official transcripts

    • Have your official transcripts sent from colleges attended even if you did not earn a degree from that college. Transcripts should be sent to enrollment@cascadia.edu, or the Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices (bas@cascadia.edu). If you earned credits or a degree at Cascadia, you do not need to submit a Cascadia College transcript. (Transcripts do not need to be submitted at the same time as the application, but must be received for consideration to enter the program.)

Put your passion to work

We teach it and we live it. Put your passion to work on a campus that is nationally recognized for its achievements in sustainability. #1 Sustainable grounds campus in the nation. Nationally awarded Cascadia Food Forest. LEED buildings. 58-acre restored wetland. Other major projects include: Energy and Waste Management Activities. Campus garden. Vermicomposting. Pollinator plantings.

Why study sustainability at Cascadia?

Sustainability is a concept, a discipline, an ideal. It is the recognition that the prosperity of our planet, our people, and our economy are inextricably linked. By blending coursework in natural sciences, environmental studies, social sciences, management, and technology. There is no other degree like this in Washington state.  Learn about what sustainability means for people, planet, and profitability - considering equity and inclusion, social justice, environmental efforts, and more!

Careers that keep the earth in balance

Cascadia College's Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices provides a pathway to careers in the green industry. Graduates will learn the skills necessary to plan and implement sustainability approaches to how we live and work by managing complex projects for government agencies, private and non-profit organizations, environmental water, energy, and agriculture industries, construction management firms, and educational institutions. Read some of the stories and journies of our alumni!

Atlas Turner - Green Building Rating System Project Assistant with O'Brien360

Rhianne Janovich - Outreach Coordinator for Waste Management

David Han - Education Manager at Friends of North Creek Forest -> now a project manager at EnviroIssues

Our graduates have gone on to work for organizations including:

  • Alderwood Water and Wastewater District
  • Artisan Electric
  • Barn2Door
  • Carlsbad Parks and Recreation
  • Cascade Ecology
  • Department of Ecology
  • Esalan Institute
  • Friends of North Creek Forest
  • Green Kirkland Partnership
  • King County
  • O’Brien360
  • Recology
  • Ruta Verde
  • Sphere Solar Energy
  • Swedish Medical Center
  • Waste Management

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