Doctoral Degree in Sustainable Environmental Studies
Guideline for
Sustainability Science, Technology, and Policy Program(SUSTEP)BACKGROUND & CONCEPTS
The increasing demand for food, water, energy, and land has caused large-scale
environmental degradation worldwide. The developing world is especially vulnerable tothese debilitating consequences. Higher education and R&D are vital in mitigating
environmental problems through the creation, dissemination and application ofinnovations for the sustainable world. Considering these urgent needs, the Universityof Tsukuba has launched the Sustainability Science, Technology, and Policy Program(SUSTEP) to foster global leaders, who are highly trained in science/technology,
humanity/social sciences, and diplomacy/leadership. While societies face different
challenges to overcome, effective education for nourishing prospective global leaders
is the first step. In this regard, the University of Tsukuba has offered the Environmental
Diplomatic Leader (EDL) Program and the Waste Management Expert Course (G30Program) since 2009. Through running these programs, the Master’s Program inEnvironmental Sciences and the Doctoral Program in Sustainable EnvironmentalStudies have acquired valuable experiences and insights that are essential inproducing promising global leaders. By incorporating all of our past experiences andinsights, SUSTEP has merged the EDL and G30 programs and go beyond them byoffering an innovative and practical education system that promotes sustainable humanresource development in the world, particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

SUSTEP under the Doctoral Degree Program
SUSTEP is a certificate program, which is administered by the Master’s Program in
Environmental Studies and the Doctoral Program in Sustainable Environmental Studies.
It is designed for educating both Japanese and international students. A successfulstudent will earn a SUSTEP certificate along with a doctoral degree. All students, whoare admitted to the doctoral program at the University of Tsukuba or an officiallyaffiliated university, are eligible to apply for this certificate program.

Implementation Pillars in SUSTEPStrong research skill in knowledge acquisition;
Increased intellectual capacity and awareness of global and local issues;
Enhanced curriculum for global leaders education;
Multinational cooperation and brainstorming.

Innovative Curriculum:
SUSTEP—

Offers courses on advanced technologies, sciences and policies forsustainability;
Provides research supervision through the academic committee system
Offers field studies in Japan and abroad;
Provides the opportunity to work for an international research project that is led
by our faculty members;1

Offers rigorous training in four major areas;
Fosters interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that are necessary to solve
complex sustainability issues.

Requirements
In order to receive a SUSTEP certificate, all students must meet the following criteria:

Take either International Internship or Special International Internship;
Take Forum on Sustainable Environmental Studies I & II;
At the time of graduation, have 8 credits or more from English courses;
Complete doctoral dissertation in English;
Dissertation must be related to SUSTEP concepts.

Requirements to obtain a Doctoral Degree in Environmental StudiesComplete 3 credits from compulsory courses;
Complete at least 5 credits from compulsory/elective courses;
Pass final thesis defense and final examination in English.

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