Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are self-paced learning opportunities that are free and available to all. They often include video lectures from experts, assignments or quizzes to assess your understanding and discussion forums to engage with other learners.
MOOCs are available through the Michigan Online platform, as are other learning opportunities, such as degree and certificate programs. Through Michigan Online, U-M alumni, faculty, staff and students with a U-M login and password have access to over 200 open online courses spanning sustainability, programming, business and more. The wide variety of learning opportunities is designed to help users develop their skills and expand their knowledge, offering flexible formats to fit any schedule.
SEAS currently offers two MOOCs and two Teach-Outs at no cost, as well as a MasterTrack Certificate in Sustainability and Development. We also offer an Online Lectures portal that gives anyone access to recordings by SEAS faculty, guests and collaborators.
Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action
Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action is intended to help learners understand, address and respond to climate change as individuals and in partnership with their communities and political leaders. The course focuses on how to translate learning into action on climate change in the areas of food, energy, transportation and the built environment (cities). This course was co-developed and taught by SEAS Professor Michaela Zint and U-M students.
Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development
Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development is the first course in the Sustainability and Development MasterTrack Certificate (detailed below), but you can also take this course as a stand-alone learning opportunity. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to the theoretical currents in Sustainability and Development and will garner an in-depth understanding of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This course was developed by SEAS Professor Arun Agrawal.
MasterTrack Certificate
The MasterTrack Certificate is available to all and can earn credits toward a degree at SEAS.
MasterTrack Certificate in Sustainability and Development
The six courses are self-paced and, once validated, can earn credits toward a degree at SEAS in Sustainability and Development. This option allows you to get a jumpstart on your degree and can also save money on tuition.
You will learn how to understand and explain the world’s most pressing sustainability and development challenges. In addition, you will be able to critically analyze the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and how they relate to global challenges while learning how to use core frameworks and evidence to assess and develop effective solutions.
Teach-Outs
Teach-Outs are short online learning events on important sustainability topics. The teach-outs are self-paced and free and available to all.
Earth Day at 50 Teach-Out
This teach-out allows you to engage in an intergenerational and interdisciplinary conversation about what sustainability means across different sectors, disciplines and lived experiences. You will explore themes including global sustainability efforts, climate change, environmental justice and more to inspire you to take action on Earth Day and beyond. Together, we will collectively develop visions for a sustainable, just and peaceful world.
Sustainable Food Teach-Out
Join other participants and a range of experts in this teach-out to explore the complexities of the food system and how we can, individually and collectively, create food habits that reduce our impact on climate change. We break down behaviors in three parts: 1) what we choose to eat, 2) where we source our food from, and 3) reducing food-related waste.
Online Lectures
Through the Online Lectures portal, anyone can access recordings by SEAS faculty, guests and other collaborators.
Online Lecture Channels
Browse various channels to discover and learn about a wide range of topics such as food literacy, environmental justice, and much more.