Program Growth
Program Growth
Celebrating Milestones
2004 - 20 YEARS
Loyola’s former president, Michael J. Garanzini, SJ, pledged to make Loyola’s campuses environmentally sustainable in 2004 as part of an ambitious plan to reduce our environmental footprint while improving the University’s infrastructure.
2005 - 19 YEARS
Loyola established the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy in 2005 with five faculty and staff members.
2013 - 11 YEARS
Loyola launched the Institute of Environmental Sustainability (IES) in 2013 and opened the building that now houses the School of Environmental Sustainability.
2014 - 10 YEARS
IES celebrated its first graduating class in 2014. Alumni returned to campus this fall for their 10-year reunion.
2019 - 5 YEARS
IES welcomed its first cohort of master’s degree students in 2019. This fall, enrollment reached its highest level yet as we mark five years since the program launched.
2020 - 4 YEARS
The Institute of Environmental Sustainability (IES) became the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) in 2020. We look forward to celebrating the school’s fifth anniversary in 2025.
Expanding our academic offerings: New climate and energy programs
Nationwide, career opportunities in the energy and sustainability sectors continue to expand and diversify. At the current rate, many analysts predict that the global clean energy economy will top $2 trillion by 2025. To meet the need for well-trained employees in this sector, the School of Environmental Sustainability aims to launch a new bachelor of science (BS) program and a new graduate certificate program in climate and energy.
The new programs will prepare students to help lead the transition to a clean energy economy. Students will develop know-ledge of fundamental concepts of climate science and climate change. They will learn about the state of energy production and consumption and strategies for a just and sustainable energy transition. They will also develop business, communication, and critical analysis skills, preparing them to work with multiple stakeholders on complex climate and energy projects with government departments and agencies, nonprofit advocacy groups, and industrial users and producers, such as electric utilities.
Many SES alumni have already gone on to successful careers in clean energy. These new additions to the SES curriculum will prepare future graduates with the interdisciplinary skills needed to become the next leaders of the clean energy transition.
470
students enrolled for the fall 2024 semester
147
degrees and certificates awarded during the 2023 to 2024 academic year
Enrollment and graduation trends
During the 2023 to 2024 academic year, 147 students completed degree and certificate programs in the School of Environmental Sustainability. SES awarded 103 bachelor’s degrees, 33 master’s degrees, and 11 graduate certificates.
Compared with the fall of 2023, fall 2024 enrollment in the master’s degree program increased by 32 percent, while undergraduate enrollment declined just over 12 percent. The school is working with University administration to navigate nationwide trends in higher education and ensure the continued health and success of our undergraduate and graduate programs.
Expanding our academic offerings: New climate and energy programs
Nationwide, career opportunities in the energy and sustainability sectors continue to expand and diversify. At the current rate, many analysts predict that the global clean energy economy will top $2 trillion by 2025. To meet the need for well-trained employees in this sector, the School of Environmental Sustainability aims to launch a new bachelor of science (BS) program and a new graduate certificate program in climate and energy.
The new programs will prepare students to help lead the transition to a clean energy economy. Students will develop know-ledge of fundamental concepts of climate science and climate change. They will learn about the state of energy production and consumption and strategies for a just and sustainable energy transition. They will also develop business, communication, and critical analysis skills, preparing them to work with multiple stakeholders on complex climate and energy projects with government departments and agencies, nonprofit advocacy groups, and industrial users and producers, such as electric utilities.
Many SES alumni have already gone on to successful careers in clean energy. These new additions to the SES curriculum will prepare future graduates with the interdisciplinary skills needed to become the next leaders of the clean energy transition.
Enrollment and graduation trends
During the 2023 to 2024 academic year, 147 students completed degree and certificate programs in the School of Environmental Sustainability. SES awarded 103 bachelor’s degrees, 33 master’s degrees, and 11 graduate certificates.
Compared with the fall of 2023, fall 2024 enrollment in the master’s degree program increased by 32 percent, while undergraduate enrollment declined just over 12 percent. The school is working with University administration to navigate nationwide trends in higher education and ensure the continued health and success of our undergraduate and graduate programs.