Environmental Education Certificate
Why this program?
You are deeply committed to the environment. You are eager to help immerse people in the natural world, to deepen their appreciation and respect, and to adopt best protective measures in their lives. If you already have a background in education, environmental sciences, or social justice work, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and specialize.
What can you do with this certificate?
Students who complete this certificate program have a competitive advantage in careers associated with any and all aspects of environmental education. Here are just some of their career choices:
- City or District Coordinator of Outdoor Education
- Environmental Educator
- Outdoor Environmental Education Program Administrator
- Environmental Education Consultant
- Experiential Education Administrator
- Climate and Environment Advocate
- National or State Park Systems
- Conservation Field Consultant
- Earn a certificate in Environmental Education, NAEE Certified
- Curriculum Designer
What will this program look like?
Students who are studying adventure education, environmental studies, psychology, or social justice studies can expand their knowledge, hands-on professional experience, and specialize in environmental education.
This 20-credit certificate will be available to all Prescott College undergraduate students from any major and provides an incentive for students across the curriculum to consider accelerating into one of our graduate programs.
For unique hands-on experience to enhance the undergrad education, students have opportunities to work in one of our field stations in Kino Bay, Mexico and Maasailand, Kenya. Students will also have the option of getting involved with Americorps.
This certificate includes professional experience through our partnership with the Prescott Unified School District teaching 5th graders in the Creeks and Watershed Program.
Students who complete the following requirements will receive a Prescott College issued certificate as well as the option to pursue/receive Arizona Association For Environmental Education (AAEE) certificate as well. The AAEE is an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Educators (NAAEE).
The learning outcomes for the Prescott College issued Environmental Education Certificate are aligned with the NAAEE guidelines, learning outcomes, and required competencies for excellent environmental educators.
Key Program Information
Delivery Method
On campus
Number of Credits
20
Completed Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Friday, August 1, 2025
Orientation
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Admissions & Apply
Teaching & Learning in Experiential Education
Environmental Problems: Root Causes, Innovative Solutions
Children & Nature
Fundamentals of Environmental Education
Environmental Education in Practice
EE LO 1: History and Foundation of EE: Learners will articulate understanding of the goals, theory, practice, and history of the field of environmental education.
EE LO 2: EE Skill Set: Learners will demonstrate competency in the foundational EE Skill Set through the following:
- Learners will be able to apply critical thinking skills, including questioning, analysis, and interpretation, in environmental education contexts.
- Learners will be able to apply knowledge of environmental processes and systems in environmental education contexts.
- Learners will be able to address environmental issues in environmental education contexts.
EE LO 3: Responsibility in EE: Learners will showcase understanding and acceptance of the responsibilities associated with practicing environmental education.
EE LO 5: EE Instruction and Design: Combining high-quality education fundamentals with the unique features of environmental education, learners will design and implement effective instruction.
EE LO 6: EE Cultural Responsiveness: Learners will engage their students and participants in culturally relevant open inquiry, investigation, and reflection in environmental education contexts.
EE LO 7: EE Assessment and Evaluation Skills: Learners will demonstrate the required knowledge, abilities, and commitment to make assessment and evaluation integral to instruction and programs.
- The Environmental Education certificate program is accredited by the NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education).
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Mariana Altrichter, Ph.D.
Over the past year, Mariana Altrichter continued her scholarly work and research in Argentina. Dr. Altrichter and colleagues studied the effectiveness of conservation inside Indigenous lands versus private or state-owned land. They conclude that land-tenure security is key for Indigenous territories to reduce forest loss, adding evidence to the importance of securing land-tenure rights of Indigenous communities for conservation purposes. At a regional scale, a large proportion of the remaining forests are Indigenous, and conservation initiatives should be co-developed with locals, respecting their rights, needs, and cosmovisions.
This research was published in the Journal of Global Environmental Change in July 2023. “Indigenous Lands with secure land tenure can reduce forest loss in deforestation hotspots.” Read more here.
Careers & Opportunities
Career Pathways
The Environmental Education certificate leads to so many possibilities. Here are just a few:
- City or District Coordinator of Outdoor Education
- Environmental Educator
- Curriculum Writer
- Environmental Education Consultant
- Outdoor Programmer for Children
- Climate and Environment Advocate
Career Planning
Our Career Services team works with you to map out a plan that works for your goals and your life. There are many ways to get where you’re going, and we’ve seen it all!
Are you interested in being part of our community?
One thing we all have in common is our passion – passion for helping others, passion for the environment, passion for social justice and a passion for a different kind of learning experience.