St. Thomas University's Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SEST) program has received accreditation by Environmental Careers Organization Canada (ECO Canada).
SEST at STU is the only ECO Canada accredited liberal arts program in Atlantic Canada, and one of only a few in the country.
SEST majors and honours students are now eligible to apply for Student Environmental Professional in Training designation, and on graduation are eligible for EPt (Environmental Professional in Training) status.
The intensive accreditation process demonstrates that STU's SEST program meets national standards of environmental education and is aligned with the growing environmental jobs market in Canada.
For students, this provides early recognition of the knowledge and skills graduates have acquired in pursuit of a career in a career in the environmental sector and opens the door to ongoing career development opportunities towards Environmental Professional status.
"ECO Canada accreditation for STU's Sustainability and Environmental Studies program is a huge achievement," said Dr. Janice Harvey, Director of SEST at STU. "It recognizes the importance of liberal arts education in the sustainability sector, and specifically the unique set of skills and perspectives that our graduates bring to the table."
The goals of post-secondary ECO Canada accreditation includes providing students with learning opportunities that can lead to relevant employment or further education; providing educators with knowledge of relevant employment fields, and assuring students, industry, and the public that accredited environmental programs meet high standards.
St. Thomas University Sustainability and Environmental Studies
Grounded in critical thinking, social justice, and community engagement, Sustainability and Environmental Studies invites students to explore the complex relationships between human communities and the natural world.
The program, which evolved from STU's longstanding Environment and Society program, offers flexibility to explore areas of focus from topics like food and energy systems, policy and politics, ethics and values, activism and social change, and community sustainability.
Students at STU can pursue a major, minor, or honours in SEST with many opportunities for directed research, community-based projects, and field-based learning.
About ECO Canada
ECO Canada is a not-for-profit organization that was first established in 1992 under the federal government's Sector Council initiative.
Over the past 18 years, ECO Canada has grown into its own as an organization focused on supporting Canada's environment industry by communicating with industry stakeholders, conducting research and creating the necessary resources required to address human resource needs in order to ensure the success of this dynamic sector.
