UNU Hub on R-SIRUS Undergraduate Certificate of Distinction in Sustainability Stewardship for Earth System Science and Environmental Engineering (ESE)
Offered at The City College of New York (CCNY) in collaboration with the United Nations University- Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) Link to application formAbout the Program
Designed for undergraduate ESE students, the certificate enables students to integrate policy analysis, engineering design, and sustainability frameworks in addressing urban challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program encourages students to complement rigorous engineering training with policy and governance perspectives relevant to cities and urban systems.
The certificate complements CCNY’s ESE curriculum through UN e-learning, seminars, and a UN-aligned capstone project, recognizing graduates for their ability to design innovative, policy-aware solutions for sustainable and resilient cities.
Students earn the certificate in addition to their undergraduate degree.
Why Pursue This Certificate?
The certificate prepares ESE students to apply engineering design within real-world policy and governance contexts. Through coursework, seminars, and a UN-aligned capstone project, students develop the ability to design technically sound, socially equitable, and policy-relevant solutions for urban sustainability challenges.
Program Structure
Students complete three required components: 1) policy coursework, 2) a UN-relevant capstone project, and 3) participation in the Professional Seminar Series on the United Nations. This structure ensures that graduates meet ABET-defined engineering design standards while also understanding the policy, social, and governance dimensions of urban sustainability.
- PSC 12500- Introduction to Public Policy (CCNY): Provides students with an understanding of how technical information and engineering solutions are translated into legislative and administrative processes, ensuring policy-relevant design outcomes.
- SOC 27400- Urban Politics and Policy (CCNY): Examines how political, economic, and social forces shape urban challenges, enabling students to contextualize engineering solutions within real-world governance structures.
- UN System e-Learning Coursework (10 hours): Students may complete approved online courses offered through UN platforms such as UN CC:e-Learn, the UNU-INWEH Learning Centre, FAO eLearning Academy, UNEP eLearning, or UNDRR eLearning. Each course must provide a certificate of completion and supports global exposure to sustainability, climate, water, health, and environmental issues.
- Senior Design I & II (Environmental Engineering): Students develop their senior design capstone project with objectives aligned to one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals, framed within an urban context. Capstone projects must be approved by the leads of the UNU education pillar and demonstrate integration of engineering design with sustainability and policy considerations.
- UNU Seminar Series: Students attend at least three seminars from the Professional Seminar Series on the United Nations (ENGR 19500) organized by R-SIRUS. The seminars feature experts from UN agencies and related entities and provide students with exposure to international perspectives on sustainability, resilience, and global development.
- Apply ABET-defined engineering design principles to emerging urban challenges
- Connect technical solutions to policy and regulatory frameworks while ensuring societal equity
- Address UN SDGs with a focus on urban infrastructure, resilience, and sustainability
- Demonstrate the ability to work across disciplines, integrating engineering and policy perspectives
- Communicate project outcomes effectively to both technical and policy audiences
- Distinguishes graduates with formal credentials in urban sustainability stewardship
- Prepares environmental engineers to deliver policy-aware, high-impact solutions for cities
