Climate Science & Adaptation Certificate

The online Graduate Certificate in Climate Science & Adaptation provides students with the content knowledge and skill set to integrate climate change into their profession. Core graduate-level coursework targets knowledge areas that provide student sight the physical science basis for climate change., integration of diverse disciplines to examine the intersecting impacts of climate change to the biosphere and society, and practical application of the content. In this program, students will:

1. Gain an understanding of Earth’s physical an chemical climate system;

2. Gain an understanding of the relationships among climate, ecosystems, and humans;

3. Develop basic proficiency with climate analysis tools;

4. Strength professional skills in interdisciplinary science, including communications to diverse audiences, collaborative skills, and proposal development.

Curriculum

The coursework builds key knowledge areas including the physical science basis for climate change, climate-biosphere-society interactions and its impacts, and real-world applications.

Core Course

The following course is required (3 credits):

ERS 542: Atmosphere, Ocean, Ice, and Climate Change (3 credits) (Summer 2023)

Practical Application Course

Choose one of the following courses (3 credits):

ESC 556: Climate Change Education (3 credits) (Spring 2024)
INT 500: Interdisciplinary Applications of Climate Science (3 credits) (Spring 2024)
INT 500: Communicating Climate Change Science (3 credits) (Summer 2023)
As a part of this summer course, students must attend an online 2-day professional development workshop with experts from the Climate Change Institute and their partners.

Elective on Social-Biosphere Impacts

Choose one of the following courses (3 credits):

ANT 530: Human Dimensions of Climate Change (3 credits) (Summer 2024)
INT 500: Contemporary Issues in Global Biodiversity (3 credits) (Fall 2023)

Admissions

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, 3.0 or above preferred
In addition, for international applicants, a TOEFL score of at least 80 or an equivalent test accepted by the Graduate School

Application Materials

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted at any time. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. When you are ready to apply, please first review the application instructions. Then submit the following:

Online application
Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
A brief essay (300-500 words) highlighting your academic and personal goals related to climate change and/or science

The Climate Change Institute (CCI) faculty focus on innovative graduate education and interdisciplinary research involving both domestic and international exploration. Several of the CCI’s faculty were involved in the Maine Climate Council, a government initiative started in 2019 to craft the four-year climate plan “Maine Won’t Wait.” To learn more about the research conducted by CCI faculty, visit climatechange.umaine.edu/research.

View Faculty