Conservation Psychology, Certificate

Certificate in Conservation Psychology
Location: AU New England
Credits for Degree: 9 semester credits
Standard Mode of Instruction: Online
Standard time to completion: 18 months

Program Overview

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing recognition amongst environmental advocates, resource managers, policymakers and researchers that the underlying cause of most environmental and conservation issues is human behavior and decision-making. In recognizing the role that human decision-making and behavior plays in shaping the environment, the field of Conservation Psychology promotes an interdisciplinary scientific approach to understanding bidirectional relationship between humans and the more than human world with the explicit aim of enhancing environmental and biodiversity conservation.

Through coursework, this certificate introduces students and practitioners to Conservation Psychology approaches and tools; builds an understanding of how social, cognitive, emotional, and contextual processes interact to shape how people understand and respond to environmental threats and offers a range of opportunities to integrate conservation psychology learning through applied skills in communication, behavior change, nature connection, place attachment, cultural competence or program evaluation.

The certificate is ideal for people whose environmental and conservation science work requires additional skills to engage effectively in communicating with the public; for environmental education and advocacy practitioners who want to enhance their program and campaign development approaches; and as an introduction to social research for those whose research programs or questions engage them with human attitudes, values, and behavior.