Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Post-baccalaureate certificates (PBCs) offer an opportunity to specialize and customize your graduate education, either by 1) adding a PBC to an existing master’s or doctoral degree, or 2) furthering your education as a stand-alone credential. The courses for most of the PBCs in the Department of Geography, Environment, & Sustainability (GES) offer a mix of online and in-person classes. The PBC programs are open to all current and prospective graduate students at UNC Greensboro.

Application Process and Deadlines

PBC application deadlines can be found in the Guide to Graduate Admissions.

For most PBCs listed below, the priority deadline for Fall entry is February 1 and the final deadline is April 1. For Spring entry, the deadline is September 15.

For UNCG students who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and who would like to apply for a certificate: simply create a new application for a certificate. You will not need to pay the application fee. Most of your materials will roll over, except for recommendations, but simply reach out when your application is complete and we can transfer them for you.

PBCs in Geography, Environment, & Sustainability

The PBC in Sustainability (18 credits) is a pathway to (or from) the MSSE. The requirements for the PBC-S overlap directly with the MSSE. A student not wanting to commit to the MSSE, or a student in another graduate program at UNCG, may do the PBC-S as a compressed version of the MSSE. Similarly, a MSSE student who decides not to complete the degree may elect to switch to the PBC-S. (MSSE students should not simultaneously pursue the PBC-S.)

The PBC in Conservation (21 credits) is ideal for MSSE students interested in environmental and biological sciences. In addition to three courses (9 credits) from the core MSSE curriculum, the PBC-C requires two graduate courses in GES (6 credits) and two (6 credits) in ecology from the Department of Biology. The PBC-C is also a good option for students in Biology to expand their coursework in the discipline of Geography and in interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability studies.

The PBC in Urban and Economic Development (18 credits) requires core courses in Geography (6 credits) and in Political Science (6 credits). The PBC-UED further combines a choice of 6 credits from elective options in both departments, making it a good choice for students in Geography, Political Science, and the MSSE.

The PBC in Global Societies and Governance (15 credits) requires two courses in geography (political/economic) that take an international perspective. Up to three courses (9 credits) may overlap with the MSSE, making the PBC-GSAG relevant for MSSE students with particular geographical interests.

The PBC in Climate Justice (15 credits) requires two core courses (6 credits) from the MSSE curriculum alongside three electives, two of which (6 credits) come from the Peace and Conflict Studies Program. The PBC-CJ emphasizes social-ecological critique rather than the purely technical aspects of the climate crisis.

The PBC in Environmental Humanities (18 credits) is a flexible option for MSSE students interested in cultural work. In addition to two courses (6 credits) from the core MSSE curriculum, the PBC-EH requires courses in two other humanities departments (6 credits from each). Graduate students in related programs — e.g. English, History, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies — would also benefit from taking courses in GES and another department.

The PBC in Digital Earth Technologies (12 credits) requires core courses in GIS and remote sensing (6 credits), plus 6 additional credits chosen from a list GIS/Technology focused electives.