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Sustainable Development Studies Program
Sustainable Development Studies Program
Overview
Overview
Sustainable Development Studies programs offer a comprehensive suite of graduate degrees designed to tackle global sustainability challenges through academic research and professional practice. The Master's level includes the research-oriented Master of Science in Sustainable Development Studies (MS SDS), which delivers foundational courses like Fundamentals of Sustainable Development and GIS, flexible cognate electives, second-year major-specific courses across seven tracks: Community Development, Economic Development, Environmental Education, Environmental Engineering, Resource Management, Rural and Urban Planning, and Peace and Conflict Transformation culminating in comprehensive exams and a thesis to build scholarly expertise. Complementing this, the Master in Sustainable Development Studies (MSDS) provides dual tracks: an Academic Track mirroring the MS SDS for in-depth analysis and thesis work, and a Professional Track geared toward practitioners with core coursework, summer intensives, 240 hours of field practice, comprehensive exam capstone for real-world application.
At the doctoral level, the Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development Studies (PhD SDS) emphasizes advanced research without bridging courses (36 units total) or with qualifiers, featuring core courses such as Advanced Research Methods, Sustainable Project Management, Sustainable Development Policy and Governance, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, alongside track-specific majors (e.g., Gender, Security and Sustainable Development for Community Development), cognates, special problems, exams, and a dissertation with continuous enrollment. The Doctor in Sustainable Development Studies (DSDS), its practice-focused counterpart, follows a similar structure but incorporates 320 hours of field practice and a practice-based dissertation to equip expert practitioners for impactful sustainability solutions across the same tracks. Overall, these programs blend rigorous training, interdisciplinary flexibility, and practical components to foster contributions in policy, community building, environmental management, and conflict resolution.
Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development Studies
The Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development Studies (PhD SDS) delivers an advanced, research-intensive academic track program for scholars pursuing original contributions to sustainability knowledge, offered without bridging courses (36 units total) or with bridging for qualifiers, featuring core advanced courses like Advanced Research Methods, Sustainable Project Management, Sustainable Development Policy and Governance, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, track-specific majors (e.g., Gender, Security and Sustainable Development/People and the Environment for Community Development, Advanced Local Economic Development Strategies/Advanced Methods for Ecosystem Valuation for Economic Development), cognates, special problems, comprehensive examinations, and culminating in a Dissertation with continuous enrollment until passing, across tracks including Community Development, Economic Development, Environmental Education, Environmental Engineering, Resource Management, Rural and Urban Planning, and Peace and Conflict Transformation.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ComDev)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Gender, Security and Sustainable Development
People and the Environment
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Sustainable Landscape Processes and Governance Strategies for Community Empowerment
Gender, Security and Sustainable Development
People and the Environment
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (EconDev)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Advanced Local Economic Development Strategies
Advanced Methods for Ecosystem Valuation
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Advanced Economic Analysis of the Environment
Advanced Local Economic Development Strategies
Advanced Principles of Development Economics
Advanced Methods for Ecosystem Valuation
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EnviEd)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Context-Based Environmental Education
Managing Educational Environment for Sustainable Development
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
 Designing Educational Materials for Sustainable Development
 Smart Technology for Sustainability
 Context-Based Environmental Education
Managing Educational Environment for Sustainable Development
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (EnviEng'g)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Air Pollution Control and Engineering for Sustainable Environment
Environmental Modelling and Management
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Solid Wastes Management System and Engineering
Water and Wastewater Engineering
Water Quality Control and Management
Air Pollution Control and Engineering for Sustainable Environment
Environmental Modelling and Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN PEACE AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION (PCT)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Special Problem
Cognate
Second Year, First Semester
Field Practice
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Advanced Peace Education
Advanced Conflict Analysis
Culture, Peace and Intergroup Relations
Advanced Peace Processes in Mindanao
Transitional Justice
Conflict, Peace and Educational Policy
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ResMgt)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Advanced Energy Resources Management
Advance Mineral Resources Management
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment and Environmental Health Impact
Land Resources and Food Security Management
Aquatic Resources Management
Energy Resources Management for Sustainability
Responsible Mining Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITHOUT BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN RURAL AND URBAN PLANNING (RUP)
First Year, First Semester
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
First Year, Second Semester
Fundamentals of Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaption
Land Use Planning Strategies and Technique
Planning Systems and Environmental Management
Second Year, First Semester
Cognate
Special Problem
Second Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Comprehensive Planning Process
Planning Regulations and Practice
Land Use Planning Strategies and Technique
Planning Systems and Environmental Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ComDev)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Sustainable Landscape Processes and Governance
Gender, Security and Sustainable Development
People and the Environment
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Sustainable Landscape Processes and Governance Strategies for Community Empowerment
Gender, Security and Sustainable Development
People and the Environment
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (EconDev)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Advanced Economic Analysis of the Environment
Advanced Local Economic Development Strategies
Advanced Methods for Ecosystem Valuation
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Advanced Economic Analysis of the Environment
Advanced Local Economic Development Strategies
Advanced Principles of Development Economics
Advanced Methods for Ecosystem Valuation
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EnviEd)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Designing Educational Materials for Sustainable DevelopmentÂ
Context-Based Environmental Education
Managing Educational Environment for Sustainable Development
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
 Designing Educational Materials for Sustainable Development
 Smart Technology for Sustainability
 Context-Based Environmental Education
Managing Educational Environment for Sustainable Development
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (EnviEng'g)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Water Quality Control and Management
Air Pollution Control and Engineering for Sustainable Environment
Environment Modelling and Management
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Solid Wastes Management System and Engineering
Water and Wastewater Engineering
Water Quality Control and Management
Air Pollution Control and Engineering for Sustainable Environment
Environmental Modelling and Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN PEACE AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION (PCT)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Advanced Peace Processes in Mindanao
Special Program
Cognate
Second Year, Second Semester
Field Practice
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Advanced Peace Education
Advanced Conflict Analysis
Culture, Peace and Intergroup Relations
Advanced Peace Processes in Mindanao
Transitional Justice
Conflict, Peace and Educational Policy
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ResMgt)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Aquatic Resources Management
Energy Resources Management for Sustainability
Responsible Mining Management
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment and Environmental Health Impact
Land Resources and Food Security Management
Aquatic Resources Management
Energy Resources Management for Sustainability
Responsible Mining Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PhD SDS)
(WITH BRIDGING COURSES)
MAJOR IN RURAL AND URBAN PLANNING (RUP)
First Year, First Semester
Fundamentals of Sustainable Development
Advanced Research Methods for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Project Management
First Year, Second Semester
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Policy and Governance
Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Second Year, First Semester
Planning Regulations and Practice
Land Use Planning Strategies and Technique
Planning Systems and Environmental Management
Second Year, Second Semester
Special Problem
Cognate
Third Year, First Semester
Dissertation
Third Year, Second Semester
Dissertation
Major Subjects
Comprehensive Planning Process
Planning Regulations and Practice
Land Use Planning Strategies and Technique
Planning Systems and Environmental Management
*Cognate courses to be taken from the major courses of other specialization tracks.
Download Program of Study here.
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