Sustainability, Community, and STEM Education Minor
This program is designed for full-time USC undergraduate students who want to explore specific education topics in greater depth.
Program Overview
Through interdisciplinary coursework and clinical field experiences in urban schools and community organizations, students in this minor develop the skills to design NGSS-aligned unit plans, implement equity-centered sustainability lessons, and engage in real-world problem-solving. The program emphasizes systems thinking, inclusive instructional strategies, and the application of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in STEM education.
The SCSE minor is open to all USC undergraduates and may be completed in one or two academic years.
Program Features
Aligned with USC’s Assignment: Earth Initiative The SCSE minor reflects USC’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with national trends emphasizing environmental literacy in education.
Clinical Fieldwork and Practicum Students engage in clinical placements in secondary science classrooms and community-based sustainability projects, totaling up to 838 hours of fieldwork. The Maymester capstone experience deepens students’ ability to apply instructional strategies and sustainability principles in authentic educational settings.
Careers
Graduates of the SCSE minor are well-positioned for careers including:
- Secondary STEM educator with sustainability expertise
- Environmental education specialist
- Curriculum designer focused on sustainability and equity
- Science and sustainability policy advocate
- STEM-focused instructional leader
Courses
As a California-based licensure program, candidates enrolled in the SCSE minor must satisfy requirements in addition to the courses listed below. Please refer to the information about these requirements in the Credential Programs section of the USC Rossier section of the USC catalogue.
Community-Based Sustainability and STEM Education | EDUC 477
Explores community-driven sustainability initiatives, integrating environmental literacy with STEM education to design interdisciplinary projects that promote equity and civic engagement.
Teaching STEM, Sustainability, Technology and Engineering | EDUC 478
Examines how digital tools, AI and engineering practices can be leveraged to teach sustainability in STEM, with an emphasis on culturally responsive and ethical technology use.
Sustainable and Equitable STEM Literacies | EDUC 481
Focuses on systems thinking, interdisciplinary teaching and the use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create sustainability-focused STEM curricula.
Inclusive Practices in Sustainability and STEM Education | EDUC 483 (Maymester Capstone)
Investigates how STEM education can address sustainability and career pathways while incorporating social-emotional learning and equity-based instructional practices.
Applied Teaching in Sustainable STEM Education | EDUC 485
A hands-on teaching experience where students design, implement and assess sustainability-focused STEM lessons in real-world classroom or community settings.
Requirements
To enroll in a USC Rossier undergraduate minor, you must:
- Be a current, full-time USC undergraduate student
- Maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher
- Apply to the minor
- Obtain departmental clearance (D-clearance) from the USC MAT and MAT-TESOL program office
Ready to get started?
By combining sustainability with STEM education, this minor empowers students to become leaders in equity-focused science teaching and environmental advocacy.
ApplyQuestions?
Reach out to our program contact for personalized guidance.
Contact:
Crystal Conley
Academic Advisor, MAT and MAT-TESOL Programs Office