Why Enroll in the LiS Program?

Program overview

View 2023 LiS Kick-Off Presentation

Apply to the LiS Program Here

If you have questions about the LiS program, email the Graduate Program Administrator.

Leaders in Sustainability graduate certificate program

The Leaders in Sustainability program aims to provide a mechanism for graduate students at UCLA to pursue their interests in sustainability and collaborate with students from different fields.

National award-winning, model program

Leaders in Sustainability (LiS) is a national award-winning program that provides a large value add, with no additional tuition cost, to the experience of enrolled UCLA graduate students. Unique to UCLA, LiS is a model sustainability certificate program for the nation. LiS facilitates multi-discipline knowledge breadth to enhance the subject matter depth provided in graduate school. LiS students have a career edge by developing leadership and collaboration skills as well as a broad knowledge of sustainability topics that are increasingly relevant to employers.

Preparing the upcoming generation of leaders

Sustainability, defined as the simultaneous consideration of economic, environmental and social factors, has become a key element in decision making in many areas of the public, private, and non-profit sectors. By definition, sustainability requires a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Over 190 students from 24 distinct disciplines across UCLA participate in the LiS program. Students can tailor the certificate program to best further their interests in sustainability and enhance their educational and career trajectories through collaboration and knowledge sharing with students, faculty, and professionals from different fields.

Tailor-made value adds for students and alumni

Specifically, students take a core course in sustainability as well as electives of their choosing to provide both breadth and depth to their sustainability related training and education. In addition, students have a positive community impact as they work with other students, faculty, and professionals on a self-initiated leadership project, guided by UCLA instructors, that measurably advances sustainability. For many LiS students, their LiS leadership project is a jumping off point to their careers after graduate school.

LiS students and alumni alike benefit from their LiS network. Mentoring and resource connection is provided to LiS students by program staff, affiliated faculty, other LiS students, the growing network of LiS alumni, and a broader network of sustainability professionals who view the LiS program as a breeding ground for the upcoming generation of sustainability leaders.